Graduate Program

The participating faculty and others affiliated with the program will offer a number of courses to enable the students to enter the research phase of the program quickly. Because the program is interdisciplinary, the courses may be taught by more than one instructor with each one bringing different and unique perspective to the topics of interest. There are no formal course requirements. However, we advise the students to take enough courses so that they can pass a required qualifier exam to be taken nominally at the end of the first year in residence.

To sample a spectrum of research, we encourage participation in a research program in which a student spends a minimum of six weeks in three laboratories in the first year. Students are expected to join a research laboratory at the end of their first year.

For admission, a candidate must present a clear and consistent case that he/she has the background, desire, and ability to complete a Biophysics graduate degree. An online admission form must be completed and the fee paid.

Deadline for Admission is January 15 for the following Fall.

Financial Aid

We will provide financial aid in the form of teaching assistantship to all entering graduate students. Outstanding students will be automatically considered for University wide fellowship. In addition, individual faculty may offer research assistantship (RA) to exceptionally qualified students. It is expected that all students will be RAs after they choose their advisors.

Participating Institution

Students, with the consent of advising committee, can work in the neighboring National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Financial support for such students will come directly from NIST. In the long run we expect to obtain support from the National Institute of Health (NIH) as well. One participating faculty from the University of Maryland will oversee the progress of students who work outside the campus.

Road Map To A Ph.D.

 

Courses

Program Goals: 

The Biophysics Ph.D. degree prepares students for original research and scholarship in biophysics. This preparation is achieved through a combination of advanced coursework, seminars, and original research in experimental and/or theoretical biophysics.  Students are exposed to a broad range of modern theories and experimental methods in order to enable them to address broad issues and problems in biophysics research.  Students are expected to develop strong written and oral communication skills during the course of their education.  Students will be taught to initiate original research problems, develop plans to solve the research problems, execute the plans, and document the scientific results in scientific publications and through participation in regional, national and international meetings and conferences.  Biophysics is a cross discipline program and students enter the program with a wide range of backgrounds, interests and experiences.  The course curriculum will be tailored to each student individually in order to furnish them with a solid foundation in both the physical and biological sciences.

Existing Courses

  • BCHM461, Protein Folding/Dynamics, 3 credits
  • BIOL622, Membranes and Ion Channels, 3 credits
  • BIOL708, Cell Biology for Physicists, 3 credits
  • BSCI426 and BIOL622, Membrane Transport Phenomena, 3 credits
  • CHEM699D, Protein Structure, Folding and Dynamics, 3 credits
  • CHEM684, Thermodynamics, 3 credits
  • CHEM687, Statistical Mechanics, 3 credits
  • CHEM689, Introduction to Biological Physics, 3 credits
  • PHYS789N, Basic Biophysics for Motion in Cells, 3 credits
  • PHYS601 Theoretical Dynamics, 3 Credits
  • PHYS603 Methods of Statistical Physics, 3 credits
  • PHYS604 Methods of mathematical physics, 3 credits
  • PHYS606 Electrodynamics, 4 credits
  • PHYS622 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I, 4 credits
  • PHYS623 Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II, 3 credits

Courses to be Developed

Graduate Laboratory Course in Biophysics, 4 credits