Biophysics: Welcome
Biophysics: Welcome
York University offers a four-year undergraduate degree program in biophysics. Here is what you need to know.
What are the career options for biophysicists?
More Biophysics Career Information
What is special about biophysics at York?
What are the pre-requisites for the Biophysics Program?
What marks do I need to be admitted?
What marks would I need to graduate?
What would appear on paper once I graduate?
Where can I get more information about biophysics?
Who should I contact about biophysics at York?
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary frontier of science in which the principles and techniques of physics are applied to study living things and how they work. To a great extent, biophysics became established as a bonafide field of science after the discovery of X-rays in 1895, which heralded the beginnings of nuclear medicine.
One of the major breakthroughs in biophysics came from work on radar, which evolved from much earlier developments in pure and applied physics. The electrical circuits which were developed were used to show that the flow of sodium and potassium across cell membranes triggers neurons to fire. More recently, biophysicists have brought expertise in laser physics to map cells in three dimensions, reveal bacteria in drinking water, and even cure bad breath.
Biophysicists are also involved in applying their knowledge of fundamental physics to develop and implement new techniques for analyzing organisms. Some of the most noteworthy are EM (Electron Microscopy), CAT (Computer-Aided Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging), PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and X-ray crystallography. Biophysicists may even facilitate the application of biological knowledge to problems in physics. For example, the DNA of salmon has been found to improve the performance of light emitting diodes.
Interest in biophysics is exploding as a result of a realization that biological phenomena cannot be understood fully without physical insight. Students undertaking studies in biophysics can have the satisfaction of becoming players in a real frontier of modern science with a vast potential for breakthroughs. What makes biophysics especially exciting is the diversity of applications. A feel for this can be gained from recent headlines highlighting biophysics research.
The headlines reveal a breathtaking range of scientific endeavour. At a macroscopic level, biophysicists are exploring how organisms develop and how they see, hear, taste, feel, and think. Also, they are examining activities such as movement, breathing, muscle contractions, and the operation of bones. Research along these avenues can have significant technological spinoffs, such as the development of better robots. At a microscopic level, biophysicists are studying how cells move and divide, how they harness and process energy, and how they react to external stimuli. Particularly interesting subjects include how a muscle cell converts the chemical energy of ATP into movement, how DNA can exactly replicate itself during cell division, and whether the shapes of nucleotides define a “second genetic code”. Spinoffs include the development of nanotechnology founded upon the unique mechanical and electrical properties of DNA. To facilitate their explorations, biophysicists are at the cutting edge of research aimed at developing new or improved techniques of imaging, diagnosis, and analysis.
What are the career options for biophysicists?
Because of the breadth of their training, biophysicists have a wide range of career options. Job opportunities exist in both the private and public sectors, especially in the realms of medical science, forensic science, radiation science, biotechnology, environmental science, agricultural science, and computational biology. For example, there is demand for biophysicists in many large and small biomedical companies (a famous example is QLT, Inc., pioneers in photodynamic therapy) and in public institutions such as the National Research Council, Ontario Cancer Institute, research units in hospitals and public policy agencies. Biophysicists are expected to be in high demand in the environmental sector, too, because so many of the problems faced by life on Earth today have a physical root.
Many biophysics students may want to go on to more advanced programs of study before embarking on a career. For students whose ambition is to lead research, York’s B.Sc. program is a logical starting point for graduate studies leading to a doctoral degree in biophysics. Biophysics is a highly regarded path towards a career in medicine, provided that a course in organic chemistry is included in the curriculum. It is also a possible path to a career in optometry or in dentistry. The degree provides outstanding preparation for careers in radiation therapy and other applied health sciences, such as offered by the Michener Institute.
What is special about biophysics at York?
York University is one of only a few institutions which offers a
comprehensive four-year undergraduate degree program in biophysics. The
program is special because it is strong in both physics and biology,
focussed by courses dedicated to biophysics, and sufficiently broad in
scope to expose students to knowledge and techniques applicable not only
to humans but to all of the kingdoms of life. Students acquire a
theoretical and practical understanding of biology, physics and biophysics
through both lecture-based and lab-based courses. Practical skills in
mathematics and computing are developed by promoting applications to
physical and biophysical problems. Powers of lateral thinking are
enhanced through the mixing of physics and biology courses and the
unification of material through biophysics courses. In the end, students
learn to recognize biological problems which could benefit from physical
insights as well as physical principles which might productively confront
biological challenges. Most important, students gain the ability to think
critically and to analyze and solve complex problems, talents which are in
high demand in both the private and public sectors.
What are the pre-requisites for the Biophysics Program?
To be eligible to major in Biophysics at York starting in first year, it is necessary to have passed Grade 12 courses or their equivalents in English, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Specifically, applicants from high schools in Ontario must have passed
and either
or both of
Also, it is recommended (but not required) that applicants who graduate from high school before Fall 2007 have passed 12U Geometry and Discrete Mathematics.
Applicants admitted to York who lack any of these requirements cannot become Biophysics majors until such time as the deficiencies are corrected. Those who wish to become Biophysics majors could initially enroll as "undeclared majors". York University offers bridging courses (high school equivalents) to help such students meet the entry requirements of the program.
What marks do I need to be admitted?
For applicants from Ontario high schools, admission and scholarships are based upon the best six 12U/M courses, which must include all pre-requisite courses for the declared major. The minimum per cent average required for admission to the Biophysics Program is around the mid seventies.
In first year, students take survey courses in biology, chemistry, and physics, along with supporting courses in mathematics and computer science. Specialized courses in biology, physics and biophysics begin in second year, including Genetics, Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, Optics and Spectra, and Current Topics in Biophysics. In third year, students are introduced to cell biology, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and laser physics, as well as applications of the principles of electricity and magnetism and nuclear physics to biology and medicine. Students have a variety of options for study in fourth year, ranging from photosynthesis to biomaterials chemistry on the biology side and solid state physics to fluid dynamics on the physics side. A biophysics course exposes students to applications of quantum physics to biology and medicine. Rich laboratory experiences accompany lecture-based courses in all four years.
What marks would I need to graduate?
Biophysics is an Honours Program, and as such students are required to achieve an average grade of C or higher (York Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher) over all courses required in order to graduate.
What would appear on paper once I graduate?
At York University, degrees (namely, the fancy pieces of paper) do not specify departments, programs, or streams. All students graduating from the Biophysics Program would receive a degree stating “B.Sc., Honours”. On the transcript, however, the full details of a student’s educational path are given. So, a biophysicist’s transcript would show: Faculty of Science and Engineering, B.Sc. Hnrs., Biophysics.
Where can I get more information about biophysics?
A guide to careers in biophysics, especially those focussed upon studies at the molecular level, can be obtained from the Biophysical Society in the United States. A database of graduate programs in biophysics is maintained there as well.
Recent developments in biophysics are disseminated by the following organizations:
The American Institute of Physics highlights graphics associated with recent advances in physics, including biophysics.
Spectacular visualizations and associated commentary are available from the theoretical and computational biophysics group of the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
Work done by the Molecular Biophysics Group at the University of Delft in the Netherlands is highlighted graphically at their site.
Who should I contact about biophysics at York?
The Biophysics Program at York University is run by the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Please see the website for program information, in particular:
By email, biophysics inquiries should be directed to: biophys@yorku.ca
Alternatively, inquiries can be made by phoning 416-736-5249.
Visits are welcomed, too. The departmental office is located in Room 128 of the Petrie Science and Engineering Building.