Cellular Biophysics
Curriculum
The curriculum consists of distribution requirements in both the physical and biological sciences. Prerequisite undergraduate requirements for the courses taken below must be met as specified in this bulletin.
Physical Sciences (Stage I)
Graduate-level courses in four areas of physical sciences must be selected. Allowed courses in each of the specified areas are listed below (alternative appropriate courses in the categories below can be substituted with the approval of the Cellular Biophysics Program Committee). See prerequisites in this bulletin for additional information.
Courses marked with an asterisk can be taken by students with insufficient background in physics or cell physiology, in order to satisfy distribution requirements, with the permission of the Cellular Biophysics Program Committee, but such students will not be given graduate credit. Sixteen graduate-level courses (500 level or higher) must be completed.
Electromagnetism
- CAS PY 521, 522 Electromagnetic Theory, 4 cr each
Statistical Physics
- *CAS PY 410 Statistical Thermodynamics, 4 cr
- CAS PY 541, 542 Statistical Physics, 4 cr each
- GRS CH 653 Statistical Mechanics, 4 cr
Quantum Physics and Molecular Orbital Theory
- CAS PY 511, 512 Quantum Mechanics, 4 cr each
- GRS CH 651, 652 Molecular Quantum Mechanics, 4 cr each
Physical Chemistry
- CAS CH 351 Physical Chemistry I, 4 cr
- GRS CH 553, 554 Molecular Structure Determination, 4 cr each
- GRS CH 723 Physical Chemistry of Biological Macromolecules, 4 cr
- GRS CH 751 Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry, 4 cr
- GRS CH 752 Advanced Topics in Chemical Physics, 4 cr
Biological Sciences (Stage II)
A minimum of one course must be taken in each of the following areas:
Cellular Physiology
Prerequisites for required courses marked with an asterisk may be satisfied by equivalent courses with consent of instructor.
- CAS BI 552 Molecular Biology I, 4 cr
- GRS BI 645 Neurobiology, 4 cr
- GMS PH 542 Human Physiology A, 4 cr
- GMS PH 543 Human Physiology B, 4 cr
- GMS PH 745, 746 Special Topics in Physiology, variable cr
- *GMS PH 843 Cellular Physiology I (required), 4 cr
- GMS PH 844 Cell Physiology II
Biophysics
Prerequisites for required courses marked with an asterisk may be satisfied by equivalent courses with consent of instructor.
- GRS BI 650 Biophysics, 4 cr
- GRS BI 704 Biological Macromolecules, 4 cr
- GRS BI 711 Biological Transport Mechanisms, 4 cr
- *GRS PY 771 Concepts in Biophysics (required), 4 cr
- GMS BY 794 Lipid Functions
- GMS BY 871, 872 Biophysics Seminar
- *GMS BY 771 Biophysics of Macromolecular Assemblies (required), 4 cr
- GMS BY 772 NMR in Biology, 2 cr
Biochemistry
At least one course required.
- GRS CH 621, 622 Biochemistry I, II, 4 cr each
- GMS BI 789 Physical Biochemistry
- GMS BI 555, 556 Biochemistry A, B, 4 cr each
- GMS BI 751 Biochemistry and Morphology of the Cell, 8 cr
Directed Study or Research
Instructor and hours arranged. Variable cr.
- GRS PY 901, 902 Research in Physics
- MED ME 941, 942 Research in Physiology
- MED ME 945, 946 Research in Biophysics Institute
Language Requirement
The candidate must complete a written language examination in French, German, or Russian. In special cases, the candidate may be allowed to substitute another language for which a significant body of scientific literature exists.
Examination and Research
All candidates must pass a comprehensive examination as early as possible and in no case later than the end of the third year.
The student must select a PhD research topic and an advisor as soon as possible. A brief description of the project and the name of the research advisor is submitted to the Cellular Biophysics Program Committee (CBPC), which appoints, in consultation with the advisor, a three-member examining committee. The student is examined on specific details of the research project, including the background, proposed rationale, techniques, significance, and possible problems.
Dissertation research is conducted under the guidance of a research advisor. In some cases, interdisciplinary research under the guidance of more than one advisor may be carried out with permission of the CBPC.
Dissertation
Candidates must demonstrate their abilities for independent study in dissertations representing original research and creative scholarship.
Final Oral Examination
Students must present themselves for final oral examinations in which they must defend their dissertations as worthy contributions to knowledge in their fields and demonstrate mastery of their fields of specialization as they relate to the dissertations.
