B.S. in Physics with Biophysics Concentration

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Arkansas

Program Overview

The B.S. in Physics with Biophysics Concentration at the University of Arkansas combines a rigorous foundation in physics, mathematics and laboratory science with focused study of how physical principles apply to biological systems. Designed for students interested in areas such as biophysics, biological physics, neuroscience, research and related graduate or professional fields, the 120-credit program develops knowledge through subjects including quantum mechanics, thermal physics and biophysical techniques.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their mathematical and physics foundation through MATH 24004 Calculus I, PHYS 20304 University Physics I, and PHYS 20404 University Physics II, alongside composition and general education courses. The year builds the quantitative skills needed for progressively advanced physics and biophysics study.

Second Year: Students progress into MATH 26004 Calculus III, PHYS 20504 University Physics III, MATH 25804 Elementary Differential Equations, and PHYS 36103 Modern Physics. They also develop interdisciplinary scientific preparation through approved chemistry, biology, programming or other laboratory-based science courses, creating a foundation for the biophysics concentration.

Third Year: The curriculum becomes more advanced and specialized with MATH 30803 Linear Algebra, PHYS 34503 Electromagnetic Theory I, and PHYS 43303 Thermal Physics. Students also complete a junior-level laboratory and can select upper-level courses in physics, astronomy, biology or chemistry, allowing them to connect physical principles with biological and chemical systems.

Fourth Year: Students deepen their theoretical understanding through PHYS 40703 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and complete PHYS 49901 Physics Senior Seminar, which includes a research paper. The concentration culminates with PHYS 46103 Introduction to Biophysics and Biophysical Techniques, supported by upper-level interdisciplinary study in physics, astronomy, biology or chemistry.

Focus Areas

Biological physics, biophysics, neuroscience, quantum mechanics, thermal physics, electromagnetic theory, biophysical techniques, laboratory physics, interdisciplinary physics and biological/chemical sciences.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop quantitative and analytical physics skills, apply mathematical and physical principles to scientific problems, gain laboratory and research experience, understand biophysical techniques, work across physics and biological sciences, communicate scientific findings through research writing and prepare for professional employment or graduate study. The department requires a research experience for physics majors and the senior seminar includes a research paper.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The University of Arkansas catalog identifies the program as a B.S. in Physics with a Biophysics Concentration within the Department of Physics. The official university sources reviewed do not identify a separate program-specific professional accreditation for this physics concentration, so no specific accreditation should be claimed for the program.

Reputation (Employability & University Recognition)

The University of Arkansas reports 93% career placement for the 2025 survey across the university, while its 2026 institutional materials report that 94% of surveyed graduates had a post-graduation outcome within six months, including employment or continued education. The university is also classified as an R1: Top Tier Research University under the Carnegie classification, supporting the research-intensive environment available to students.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Experiential learning is a significant part of the University of Arkansas physics experience, with the department explicitly requiring a research experience for physics majors and encouraging undergraduates to work with faculty on research projects. Students studying biophysics can connect their coursework with research areas such as biological physics and neuroscience while accessing specialized laboratories, nanoscience facilities, computing resources and physics library services.

Students can build practical experience through several university-supported opportunities:

Undergraduate research: Physics majors can participate in faculty research and earn undergraduate research credit through ASTR 301V, PHYS 306V and PHYS 399VH.
Biophysics and neuroscience research: The department identifies Biological Physics / Neuroscience as one of its dedicated research areas, directly complementing the biophysics concentration.
Biophysics research: Faculty research includes single-molecule and single-cell nanometric biophysics, biomedical nanoscience, the physics of the brain and optics involving biopolymers.
Research laboratories: Students have access to research environments associated with areas including nanofabrication, nanoscale materials, single-molecule detection, quantum devices, optics and biophysics.
Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering: Facilities include scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray techniques, Raman spectroscopy, single-molecule/particle spectroscopy and electrical and magnetic characterization.
Computing facilities: The department lists an Undergraduate Computer Lab, Main Computer Lab and access to the university's High Performance Supercomputing Facility through the Institute for Nanoscience and Engineering.
Laboratory and technical facilities: Students can access the Student Machine Shop, Main Electronics Shop, Student Electronics Shop and other physics facilities that support experimental work.
Physics Library: The department maintains a fully staffed Physics Library, providing a dedicated academic resource for physics students and researchers.
Summer REU research: The Physics Research Experience for Undergraduates includes projects in Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics, as well as seminars, research-library use, technical writing, research presentations and field trips to industrial laboratories.
Senior research project: PHYS 49901 Physics Senior Seminar requires students to submit a written research report, giving students experience in scientific research communication.
Career and internship exposure: The university's STEM Career & Internship Fair specifically includes physics among the participating fields and connects students with employers offering jobs, internships and co-op opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Physics with Biophysics Concentration can prepare graduates for research-oriented, laboratory and technical careers while also providing a strong foundation for graduate or professional study. The University of Arkansas specifically describes its B.S. physics program as preparation for professional employment and graduate work in physics and related areas, while the biophysics concentration adds interdisciplinary preparation in physics, biology and biophysical techniques.

Typical career directions include: Biophysics Research Assistant, Laboratory Technician, Research Technician, Biological Physics Researcher, Medical Physics Assistant, Biomedical Research Assistant, Quality Control Specialist, Physics Technician, Scientific Laboratory Specialist, Research Associate, Computational Science Assistant, Medical Research Assistant. The university's physics career resources also list related fields such as acoustics, aerospace, astronomy, astrophysics and laboratory work.

Career development and graduate preparation are supported through several university resources:

Career counseling and preparation: The Offices of Career Connections provides career counseling, career assessments, career fairs, interview preparation, resume and cover-letter reviews, professional headshots and salary-negotiation guidance.
Jobs, internships and co-ops: Handshake allows University of Arkansas students and alumni to search for and apply to full-time, part-time, internship and co-op opportunities.
Employer partnerships: The university's Employer Partner Program gives participating organizations opportunities for campus visibility, student contact and recruiting, while the university also facilitates employer events, interviews and career fairs.
Employment outcomes: In the university's Class of 2023 Career Outcomes Report, Physics recorded 16 graduates with a 93.8% knowledge rate; 11 were employed, 3 were continuing education and 1 was in volunteer service, producing a 93.3% career outcome rate.
University-wide career outcomes: The 2025 First Destination Survey reported that 94% of responding University of Arkansas graduates had a post-graduation outcome within six months; 71.7% were employed and 21.8% were continuing their education.
Salary information: The university publishes career-outcome salary data. For the Class of 2023, the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences reported an average reported bachelor's salary of $48,267. This is a college-wide figure rather than a physics-specific salary, so it should not be presented as the expected salary for biophysics graduates.
Industry connection: University research has included industry collaboration in nanotechnology; for example, the university reported a collaboration involving NTS Innovations to further develop a graphene-based vibration energy harvester, with anticipated educational and employment opportunities for U of A students and graduates.
Research progression: The department provides undergraduate research opportunities and has research strengths in biological physics, neuroscience, biophysics, quantum materials, optics and related fields, creating pathways toward research-intensive graduate education.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S., students can pursue graduate study in physics, biophysics, biological physics, neuroscience or closely related scientific and engineering fields. The University of Arkansas itself offers graduate physics study, and its physics department identifies biophysics and neuroscience among its graduate research areas; graduates may also use the quantitative and laboratory foundation for related professional programs or interdisciplinary postgraduate study.