Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Wayne State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physics at Wayne State University is an interdisciplinary program that combines physics, biology, chemistry, and medicine to prepare students to apply quantitative and physical-science approaches to biological and medical problems. Students can build their studies around Biophysics, Medical Physics, or Premedical concentrations while developing foundations in physics, life sciences, mathematics, computation, and medical applications.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the mathematical and scientific foundation for biomedical physics through courses such as MAT 2010 Calculus I, MAT 2020 Calculus II, BIO 1510 Basic Life Mechanisms and BIO 1511 Basic Life Mechanisms Laboratory, and general chemistry with laboratory work. The introductory PHY 1001 Perspectives in Physics, Biomedical Physics, and Astronomy also introduces educational and career pathways in the discipline.

Year 2: Students progress into physics specifically connected to the life sciences through PHY 2130 Physics for the Life Sciences I, PHY 2131 Physics for the Life Sciences Experimental Laboratory, PHY 2140 Physics for the Life Sciences II, and PHY 2141 Physics for the Life Sciences Laboratory or the corresponding University Physics sequence. PHY 3300 Introductory Modern Physics and PHY 3750 Introduction to Computational Methods then strengthen students' understanding of modern physics and computational approaches.

Year 3: The program moves into specialized biomedical applications through PHY 4700 Introduction to Biomedical Physics, which covers physical concepts used in biology, human anatomy, physiology, medical diagnosis, and treatment. Depending on their concentration, students can develop further expertise through PHY 5750 Biological Physics, PHY 5340/5341 Optics and Optics Laboratory, PHY 5620/5621 Electronics and Electrical Measurements and Laboratory, or related medical-physics coursework.

Year 4: Students develop advanced computational, research, and medical applications through PHY 6290 Survey of Biophysics, PHY 6750 Applied Computational Methods, PHY 6780 Research Methods in Biomedical Physics, and ROC 6710 Physics in Medicine. PHY 6780 serves as the capstone research course and introduces students to laboratory experience in biomedical physics research, bringing together the quantitative, biological, and medical concepts developed throughout the degree.

Focus areas

Biophysics, Medical Physics, Premedical studies, biological physics, computational methods, medical applications, biomedical research, optics, electronics, and quantitative life-science analysis.

Learning outcomes

Quantitative problem-solving, computational methods, laboratory research, application of physics to biology and medicine, understanding of biological and physical systems, scientific analysis, and preparation for careers or graduate study in biophysics, biomedical engineering, medical physics, medicine, and related fields.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

Professional preparation: The university describes the degree as preparation for careers or graduate studies in biophysics, medicine, biomedical engineering, medical physics, and other fields requiring physical and technological approaches to medical or biological questions. The university's published accreditation information does not identify a separate specialized accreditation for the undergraduate Biomedical Physics B.S.; CAMPEP accreditation listed by Wayne State applies to its graduate Medical Physics programs rather than this bachelor's degree.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Graduate outcomes: Wayne State's Biomedical Physics faculty information reports that an earlier cohort of program alumni had entered professional programs, graduate school, or employment, and the department highlights the program's progression into medical and graduate education. A current QS, Guardian, or other program-specific employability ranking is not stated on the official university program source, so no ranking is assigned here.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physics at Wayne State University combines physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and medicine with laboratory and computational experience. Students develop practical skills through experimental physics laboratories, biomedical physics research, computational methods, electronics and electrical measurements, and a dedicated capstone research course. The program also connects students with Wayne State’s wider biomedical research environment, including research centers and laboratories where undergraduates can gain research experience:

Biomedical physics research: PHY 6780 Research Methods in Biomedical Physics provides a dedicated laboratory research experience and serves as the capstone course for Biomedical Physics majors.
Computational tools: PHY 3750 Introduction to Computational Methods teaches computer programming using MATLAB or similar software, with opportunities for independent or group projects.
Advanced computational research: PHY 6750 Applied Computational Methods applies computing to physics research, including data fitting, image analysis, and integration with experimental equipment, with independent and group project opportunities.
Experimental laboratories: Students complete hands-on laboratory work in areas including physics for the life sciences, optics, electronics and electrical measurements, developing experience with experimental techniques and measurement systems.
Electronics projects: PHY 5621 Electronics and Electrical Measurements Laboratory covers amplifier circuits, operational amplifiers, oscillators, digital electronics, and analog and digital measurements, and includes a final project.
Biomedical applications: PHY 5460 Lasers for Medical Applications explores laser technologies used in diagnostics, therapy, and surgery, including laser components and interactions between radiation and tissue.
Undergraduate research: Wayne State’s Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics trains undergraduate students in faculty laboratories and offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Program involving immersive research and professional development.
Computational biomedical research: The YM Huang Lab conducts computational biophysics research using theoretical and classical mechanical models to study biomolecular recognition and diffusion, at the intersection of physics, biology, chemistry, pharmacology, and computer science.
Biomedical research facilities: The Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics provides more than 28,000 square feet of research space, including open and closed laboratories, shared equipment, special procedure rooms, and research interaction areas.
Medical research environment: Wayne State’s medical campus includes research facilities such as the Helen Vera Prentis Lande Medical Research Building, Louis M. Elliman Clinical Research Building, and Hudson-Webber Cancer Research Center, providing access to a broad biomedical research environment.
Medical physics research: Wayne State’s Medical Physics research includes projects involving PET/CT imaging, radiation therapy, adaptive dose painting, Monte Carlo/Geant-4/GATE simulations, treatment planning, and TrueBeam systems, illustrating the university’s applied medical-physics research environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physics at Wayne State University combines physics with biomedical applications, preparing graduates for opportunities in medical technology, healthcare, research, and advanced study. Students can build toward careers such as medical physicist, biomedical researcher, laboratory technician, and medical imaging specialist, while the degree also provides a foundation for graduate and professional programs.

Career and Employment Opportunities: The program’s combination of physics, biology, and biomedical applications can support several pathways after graduation:

Career development: Wayne State’s Career Planning and Placement resources provide students with career advising, job-search assistance, resume and interview support, career fairs, employer events, and access to employment opportunities.
Typical roles: Graduates can pursue positions such as medical physics assistant, biomedical research assistant, laboratory technician, and medical imaging specialist; specific job titles depend on additional training and employer requirements.
Employment and salary figures: Wayne State’s official program information does not state a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for Biomedical Physics. U.S. salary data for related occupations should therefore not be presented as a Biomedical Physics graduate salary.
University–industry connections: Wayne State’s location in Detroit’s health and biomedical research environment provides access to clinical and research organizations, while the university’s biomedical research activities connect students with interdisciplinary work spanning medicine, engineering, and the sciences.
Accreditation value: Wayne State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This institutional accreditation provides recognized quality assurance for the university’s academic programs and supports continued study and professional progression.
Graduation outcomes: The degree can lead directly into biomedical and laboratory-related employment or serve as preparation for advanced education in biomedical physics, medical physics, physics, biomedical engineering, or related health-science fields.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Physics, students can continue into graduate study in areas such as physics, medical physics, biomedical engineering, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines. Students interested in becoming clinical medical physicists may pursue an appropriate graduate medical physics pathway followed by the clinical training and certification requirements applicable to that profession.