The undergraduate program in biophysics at Johns Hopkins University requires students to take courses in chemistry, biology and physics, as well as upper-level biophysics courses. This is in addition meeting the general education requirements of the university. Electives available to biophysics majors include computational biology, physical chemistry, molecular biology, and genetics. Research experience is an integral part of the undergraduate biophysics program at Johns Hopkins. Biophysics majors complete two semesters of independent research and submit a paper at the end of each semester. The university notes that most students will start research no later than their junior year and use the freshman and sophomore years to investigate potential research topics.
Johns Hopkins University
Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics
110 Jenkins Hall
3400 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218
410-516-7245
biophysics.jhu.edu
The medical biophysics Ph.D. program at Indiana University's School of Medicine trains graduates to use imaging techniques to study biological processes. The program is open to students who have a bachelor's degree in math or science with a minimum GPA of 3.0. During the first year, students take core courses in cell biology, genetics, systems biology and molecular biology. They can select from electives related their research areas of interest. Subsequently, students take advanced courses in molecular imaging and complete a minor. The Ph.D. is awarded to students who successfully complete 90 credit hours of coursework and defend a thesis. Highly qualified students have the option of enrolling in a joint M.D./Ph.D. program. Prospective students submit college transcripts, GRE scores, three recommendation letters and a personal statement. Students admitted to the program receive a stipend, tuition remission and health insurance.
Indiana University School of Medicine
Program in Biomolecular Imaging
635 Barnhill Drive, MS 4053
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5122
317-274-3441
bioimage.medicine.iu.edu
The Rockefeller University's Ph.D. programs do not contain a core curriculum, beyond the three required courses taken during the first year with respect to research ethics and how to interpret scientific data. Students, including those in the biophysics area, consult with a dean to select seven units of courses relevant to their research. Rockefeller programs are research-centered and biophysics students study in a laboratory run by a tenured or tenure-track faculty member. At the end of the first year, biophysics students present thesis proposals for review. To graduate with a Ph.D. in biophysics, students must complete a thesis that represents original research and that thesis is defended to a panel of faculty members. Admission is based on a review of college transcripts, GRE scores and three recommendation letters. Students admitted to the doctoral program receive full support that covers tuition and a stipend. Health and dental insurance is also provided to students, their spouses and children.
The Rockefeller University
1230 York Ave.
New York, NY 10065
212-327-8000
rockefeller.edu
Stanford's biophysics program is interdisciplinary in nature, and students in the program learn from faculty in several departments including medicine, biology, chemistry, radiology and physics. Research in the Ph.D. program focuses on applying chemical and physical principles to solve biological problems using methods such as computation and X-ray diffraction. Doctoral students take graduate-level science courses, attend seminars and complete independent research to earn the Ph.D. in biophysics. Applicants to the program must take the GRE test and a subject test in an area such as math, physics or biochemistry is recommended, but not required. In addition, prospective students submit undergraduate transcripts, a statement of purpose and three recommendation letters. Qualified applicants invited are invited to visit Stanford's campus at the university's expense for four days to meet with faculty and complete an in-person interview.
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford, CA 94305
650-723-4000
stanfordmedicine.org