Biophysics
About Biophysics
This field involves the study of life at every level, from atoms and molecules to cells, organisms and environments, but includes an understanding of the basic concepts and quantitative skills of physics. UBC's biophysics program will give you a good working knowledge of one subfield in the biological sciences at the senior undergraduate level. You'll also gain an understanding of the basic concepts and quantitative skills of physics. UBC's Applied Biophysics research laboratory specializes in the development of novel tools and methods for the analysis and manipulation of biomolecules, and portions of the program are housed in the historic Hennings Building.
Program Details
The biophysics program is intended to keep all of the options available to you if you're in either biology or physics, while opening new opportunities in fields that benefit from the combination, such as pharmaceutical companies. The program is excellent preparation for the medical profession. The Science One program is an ideal entry point for this program as it integrates both physical and biological sciences. However, there is no reason why students in the regular first year science stream cannot take this program as well.
Skills
- Observation and interpretation of the physical basis of underlying biological phenomena
- Application of theoretical mathematical and physics concepts to real world problems, particularly with respect to human systems and biological problems
- Usage of computer programming to create complex models or solutions
- Application of logic, imagination, judgement and abstract thinking to solve problems across and between disciplines
- Connecting, integrating, and analysing information
- Quantifying and running complex calculations and statistical analyses
- Communication of complicated ideas through advanced technical writing
- Usage of a wide range of advanced electronic and non-electronic instruments, machines and lab equipment across physics, chemistry, biology, and medicine
Programs offered
- Honours Biophysics
Resources
Career Options
With an undergraduate degree
- Biomedical technician
- Database analyst
- Journalist
- Laboratory technician
- Medical radiation technologist
- Natural sciences manager
- Scientific writer
With additional study
- Bioinformatician
- Biomedical engineer
- Biophysicist
- Financial analyst
- Health physicist
- Medical doctor
- Optometrist
- Physicist
- Radioisotope technician
- Teacher/professor
- Water resources engineer
UBC Science Biophysics Graduates Work As
- PhD Candidate in Physics, Princeton University
- Medical Physics Resident, Stanford Hospital & Clinics
- Clinical Medical Biophysicist, UBC Faculty of Dentistry
- Medical Student, University of British Columbia
- PhD Candidate in Structural Biology, City University of New York
- Resident Physician, Vancouver Coastal Health