Physics (Biophysics), Bachelor of Science

CIP Code

40.0801.00

Program Overview

A Physicist has a solid understanding of fundamental laws, which in turn can be applied to a wide area of scientific and engineering fields. It is an exciting career that requires discipline and significant amount of work. It also requires development of mathematical, experimental, theoretical, and computational skills. As a result of the Physicist’s solid and broad background, Physicists can apply to a wide range of job opportunities, including National Laboratories and Research Centers, Industry, and Academia.

Core Curriculum - 42 hours

The Core Curriculum serves as a broad foundation for the undergraduate degree. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree must achieve core student learning outcomes, including communication, critical thinking, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, personal responsibility, and social responsibility, by completing courses within each category or component area of the Core Curriculum as outlined below.

The University has approved specific courses that satisfy Core Curriculum Requirements. Approved courses can be found on the Core Curriculum Page. Students seeking the most efficient way to complete the core curriculum and major or minor requirements are advised to take approved courses that can fulfill both requirements. Although core curriculum courses can also be used to fulfill major or minor requirements, earned credits hours are only applied once.

The courses listed below fulfill core curriculum and major requirements. Students who have completed a core curriculum category with courses other than those listed below will still be required to take the listed course(s) to meet major requirements.

020 Mathematics - 3 hours

CourseCourse Name
MATH 2413Calculus I

Three credit hours from MATH 2413 applies.

030 Life and Physical Sciences - 6 hours

CourseCourse Name
PHYS 2425Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
PHYS 2426Physics for Scientists and Engineers II

Six credit hours from PHYS 2425 and PHYS 2426 apply.

090 Integrative and Experiential Learning - 6 hours

CourseCourse Name
CSCI 1380Introduction to Programming in Python
PHYS 2425Physics for Scientists and Engineers I
PHYS 2426Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
BIOL 1406General Biology I

Three credit hours from the lab component of PHYS 2425, PHYS 2426, and BIOL 1406 applies.

Major Requirements - 78 hours

Required Courses - 48 hours

CourseCourse Name
PHYS 1311Learning to be a Physicist
PHYS 2327Physics for Scientists and Engineers III
PHYS 3305Classical Mechanics
PHYS 3303Thermodynamics
PHYS 3304Optics
PHYS 3402Modern Physics
PHYS 3411Math Methods in Physics I
PHYS 3412Math Methods in Physics II
PHYS 4305Statistical Mechanics
PHYS 3301Electromagnetic Theory I
PHYS 3302Electromagnetic Theory II
PHYS 4303Quantum Mechanics I
PHYS 4304Quantum Mechanics II
PHYS 4300Undergraduate Research Project
PHYS 4101Laboratory Research
Or
PHYS 4306Advanced Physics Lab
If selected, students must take PHYS 4101 Laboratory Research three times or PHYS 4306 Advanced Physics Lab.

Biophysics Concentration - 15 hours

CourseCourse Name
BIOL 1406General Biology I
PHYS 3306Introduction to Biophysics
PHYS 3308Introduction to Nanoscience
PHYS 3309Introduction to Medical Imaging
PHYS 3310Radiation Biophysics

Three credit hours from BIOL 1406 applies.

Support Courses - 12 hours

CourseCourse Name
MATH 2413Calculus I
MATH 2414Calculus II
MATH 2415Calculus III
MATH 3341Differential Equations

One credit hour from MATH 2413 applies.

Free Electives - 3 hours

Free elective credit hours at the advanced level may be needed to achieve the institutional minimum of 42 advanced hours.

Total Credit Hours: 42

Total Credit Hours: 120

View this program’s recommended roadmap to graduation.

UTRGV Roadmaps are a suggested sequence of courses designed to assist students in completing their undergraduate degree requirements. This is a term-by-term sample roadmap of courses required to complete the degree. Students must satisfy all requirements in their catalog including, but not limited to course prerequisites, grade point average and course grade benchmarks, progression requirements, and graduation requirements.

Students should meet with their academic advisor every semester to discuss their individualized path toward completion. Degree progress within this roadmap depends upon such factors as course availability, individual student academic preparation and readiness, student time management, work and personal responsibilities, and financial considerations. Students may choose to take courses during summer terms to reduce course loads during long semesters.