B.S. in Physics (Biophysics Track)
The Biophysics Track is designed to prepare students for careers or graduate school in biophysics, bioengineering, biomaterials, biotechnology or health-related fields. The requirements satisfy medical school admissions requirements. The track requires 95 lower division units (27 in Physics, 27 in Chemistry, 24 in Math, 13 in Biology, 4 in Computer Science) and a minimum of 49 upper division units, totaling 144 units. Relative to the Standard BS Physics track, 16 units of upper-division physics courses are replaced by 13 units of biology, 12 units of organic chemistry, and 2 upper-division biochemistry courses. There are 36 units of CNAS breadth. The CNAS Bio breadth requirement is met within the track requirements. The minimum total number of units is 177.
Note that you must complete a minimum of 180 units to be eligible for graduation. Students who wish to take more than 216 units must receive permission from the associate dean.
The first sample program has 197 units with 5 general electives for those completing 41ABC
This sample course plan begins with the physics 41ABC series, which is strongly recommended. Please see this web page for alternative introductory physics options.
Freshman year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Phys 41A (8 units) | Phys 41B (8 units) | Phys 41C (8 units) |
| Math 9A (4 units) | Math 9B (4 units) | Math 9C (4 units) |
| English 1A (4 units) | English 1B (4 units) | Breadth or Elective (4 units) |
| Phys 39 (3 units) S/NS | ||
| Total units 19 | Total units 16 | Total units 16 |
Sophomore year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 130A (4 units) | Phys 130B (4 units) | Phys 132 (4 units) |
| Chem 1A/1AL (5 units) | Chem 1B/1BL (5 units) | Chem 1C/1CL (5 units) |
| Math 10A (4 units) | Math 10B (4 units) | Math 46 (4 units) |
| CS 10A or CS 9P (4 units) | Breadth 1 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 2 of 6 (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 17 |
Junior year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 135A (4 units) | Phys 135B (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Biology 5A/5LA (5 units) | Biology 5B (4 units) | Biology 5C (4 units) |
| Chem 8A/8LA (4 units) | Chem 8B/8LB (4 units) | Chem 8C/8LC (4 units) |
| Breadth 3 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 4 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 5 of 6 (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 16 | Total units 16 |
Senior year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 156A (4 units) | Phys 156B (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Phys 139L (5 units) | Phys 142W (5 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Biochem 110A (4 units) | Biochem 110B (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Breadth 6 of 6 (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 12 |
Total units: 197 including 5 general electives |
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The second sample program below is for those completing 2ABC
The Biophysics Track is designed to prepare students for careers in health-related fields or graduate school in biophysics, bioengineering, biomaterials, or biotechnology. This alternative track is for students who have completed Physics 2ABC. The lower division Physics requirement (24 units of Physics 41ABC) can be met by Physics 2ABC passed with a B+ letter grade in each course (15 units) and 12 units of additional upper division electives, 8 units in Physics and 4 units in any Science/Math/Engineering discipline. The following schedule has 197 units with 5 general electives.
Freshman year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Chem 1A/1AL (5 units) | Chem 1B/1BL (5 units) | Chem 1C/1CL (5 units) |
| Math 9A (4 units) | Math 9B (4 units) | Math 9C (4 units) |
| English 1A (4 units) | English 1B (4 units) | Breadth, Elective, or CS 10 (4 units) |
| Phys 39 (3 units) | Biology 5A/5LA (5 units) | Biology 5B (4 units) |
| Total units 16 | Total units 18 | Total units 17 |
Sophomore year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 2A (5 units) | Phys 2B (5 units) | Phys 2B (5 units) |
| Biology 5C (4 units) | Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Chem 8A/8LA (4 units) | Chem 8B/8LB (4 units) | Chem 8C/8LC (4 units) |
| Breadth 1 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 2 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 3 of 6 (4 units) |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 17 |
Junior year |
||
Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 130A (4 units) | Phys 130B (4 units) |
Phys 132 (5 units) |
| Math 10A (4 units) | Math 10B (4 units) | Math 46 (4 units) |
| Comp Sci 10 (4 units) | Biochem 110B (4 units) | Science/Math/Engineering Elective (4 units) |
| Biochem 110A (4 units) | Breadth 4 of 6 (4 units) | Breadth 5 of 6 (4 units) |
| Total units 16 | Total units 16 | Total units 17 |
Senior year |
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Fall |
Winter |
Spring |
| Phys 156A (4 units) | Phys 156B (4 units) | Phys Elective (4 units) |
| Phys 139L (5 units) | Phys Elective (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Phys 135A (4 units) | Phys 135B (4 units) | Elective (4 units) |
| Breadth 6 of 6 (4 units) | Phys 142W (5 units) | |
| Total units 17 | Total units 17 | Total units 12 |
Total units: 197 including 5 general electives |
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