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Biophysics

As a biophysics major, you'll use the framework of physics to describe biological systems. You'll build models to understand how these systems work, from the smallest molecules to the largest populations.

A professor shows a student a cell sample on a computer

About Our Biophysics Program

  • Learn how to describe and understand biological systems using the language of physics, test your descriptions using physical experiments, and translate those descriptions into mathematical models.
  • Your biophysics major gives you skills you can leverage to continue your studies in graduate school or pursue a range of careers, from medicine to engineering.
  • Take classes through the intercollegiate Department of Natural Sciences, working with world-class faculty from Pitzer and Scripps Colleges.
  • Take advantage of labs, classrooms, offices, and even a community greenhouse, in the 65,000 square-foot Nucleus, our brand-new science building.
     
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At a Glance

Degree Awarded

  • Bachelor of Arts

Field Group

Physics (Department of Natural Sciences)

Program Type

Area of Study

This program is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences

Biophysics & Our Values

Interdisciplinary Learning

“If we are to prepare students to work on these problems and questions, then we must help them develop the capacity to think beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Of all liberal arts institutions, we are remarkably well positioned to make this effort because of the multidisciplinary nature of the [Department of Natural Sciences].”

Newton Copp

Professor Emeritus of Biology

5 Fields of Study

Pitzer's biophysics curriculum blends core classes in biology and physics, and draws on tools and methods from various other scientific fields.

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Student Engagement

At Pitzer, learning biophysics means getting out of the classroom and participating in hands-on work. You'll have the chance to work closely with professors in their research groups, develop practical lab skills in lab courses, and complete original research as part of your senior thesis.

26 Research Groups

Students in the Department of Natural Sciences have the opportunity to contribute to 26 different research groups across several disciplines

See the Department of Natural Sciences' Research Groups
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Pitzer Voices

Pitzer biophysics alumnus Karl Kiser's '16 major took him on a research trip to the Phoenix Islands, deep in the heart of the Pacific Ocean. Where will it take you?

Pitzer biophysics alumnus Karl Kiser '16
"Myctophids, Heteropods, and Pteropods were among the ranks of critters we examined in a small aliquot from the tow’s haul. Even after learning about the small organisms which dominate the world’s oceans, I was simply dumbfounded by what we hauled out of the middle of the Pacific."

Karl Kiser '16

he/him

Biophysics major

Get Involved

Pitzer alumnus Julian Cohen '22

Research

Julian Cohen ’22, a biophysics major, received a New Harvest Seed Grant for his research into techniques for creating lab-grown meat. His work aims to make our food system more sustainable and humane by helping us transition away from traditional, animal-intensive agriculture.

Pitzer's brand-new science building, Nucleus West

Resources

Pitzer’s Biophysics major is offered through the Department of Natural Sciences, a joint department that serves students from Pitzer and Scripps Colleges. The Department has 50+ full-time faculty, and places an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and research.

Department of Natural Sciences Site

Biophysics Program Details

View Course Catalog

Biophysics teaches you how to apply the tools of physics to biological systems, giving you the skills to model the behavior of systems from the molecular to the physiological level.  

What You'll Learn

  1. How to create frameworks that identify the key physical principles, relationships, and constraints underlying biological systems.
  2. How to develop experiments to test these frameworks on a practical level.
  3. How to translate conceptual frameworks into mathematical models.
  4. How to use standard methods of data analysis.
  5. How to analyze, interpret, and assess the reasonableness of your answers.
  6. How to effectively communicate your findings to diverse audiences.
     

Learn More

Visit the Pitzer course catalog's Biophysics page for more information and resources.

Visit the Course Catalog
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Required Coursework

Foundation Courses

  • Introductory Biology (two semesters: BIOL 043L KS Introductory Biology - BIOL 044L KS Introductory Biology, or BIOL 042L KS -Integrated Biology & Chemistry and BIOL 044L KS -Introductory Biology, or equivalent);
  • Basic Principles of Chemistry (two semesters: CHEM 014L KS -CHEM 015L KS -Basic Principles of Chemistry, or Accelerated General Chemistry with Lab CHEM 029L KS, or CHEM 042L KS -Integrated Biology & Chemistry, or equivalent);
  • General Physics for the Life Sciences (two semesters: PHYS 030L KS -PHYS 031L KS, or Principles of Physics (two semesters: PHYS 033L KS -PHYS 034L KS), or equivalent);
  • PHYS 035 KS - Modern Physics with Computational Applications;
  • PHYS 178 KS  - Biophysics
  • MATH 032 PZ - Calculus III; MATH 111 CM or equivalent;
  • MATH 032 PZ -Calculus III; MATH 111 CM or equivalent);
  • One computer programming course (CSCI 005 HM, CSCI 051 CM, or PHYS 108 KS);

Five Additional Advanced Courses

  • Three (3) upper-division courses from Biology, at least one of which must include a laboratory component. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 116L KS) may be substituted for one of the three upper-division Biology courses, but one of the remaining two upper-division Biology courses must still include a laboratory component.
  • At least two of the following four courses: PHYS 101 KS, PHYS 102 KS, PHYS 114 KS, PHYS 115 KS.

Senior Thesis (one- or two-semester)

  • A study-abroad experience is strongly recommended but not required.

NOTE: For Biophysics majors, PHYS 030L KS-PHYS 031L KS may substitute as a prerequisite for PHYS 033L KS-PHYS 034L KS.

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Biophysics is an interdisciplinary major that combines the bulk of its courses from biology and physics. For more information, visit the biophysics page in the academic catalog.

View Course Catalog

Biophysics Program Faculty

No profile image for Jennifer Armstrong

Jennifer Armstrong

  • Professor of Biology
Tiziana Di Luccio

Tiziana DiLuccio

  • Physics Education Specialist
No profile image for Scot A.C. Gould

Scot A.C. Gould

  • Professor of Physics
No profile image for Adam Landsberg

Adam Landsberg

  • Professor of Physics
No profile image for Sarah Marzen

Sarah Marzen

  • Assistant Professor of Physics
No profile image for Kevin Setter

Kevin Setter

  • Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics
No profile image for Janet Sheung

Janet Sheung

  • Assistant Professor of Physics

Contact Us

Office of Admission

(909) 621-8129

Pitzer Hall, 1st Floor

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