Modern medicine makes use of an increasing array of technologies based on the application of principles of physics. Notable are those involving therapeutic radiology, lasers and medical imaging (such as MRI -- Magnetic Resonance Imaging, ultrasound, and PET -- Positron Emissions Tomography scans). A solid background in physics is increasingly valuable for medical doctors who use these modern techniques.

The Department offers both BA and BS degrees with a Certificate in Biological/Medical Physics. The more challenging BS option is designed for students interested in research in an M.D./Ph.D. program. The premedicine option includes courses needed to satisfy entrance requirements to medical school. In some cases, it is also possible to satisfy the requirements of a simultaneous minor in biology.

Cluster Requirements: Students can elect to satisfy their Humanites and Social Science Cluster requirements in any way they chose. However, it is recommended (but not required) that undergraduates satisfy their social science 3-course cluster requirement in the area of Psychology. For example, S1CSP008 (Personality Psychology) is useful as medical professionals need to communicate effectively with patients and family members.

It is recommended (but not required) that undergraduates in the program satisfy their humanities 3-course cluster requirement in the area of verbal and written communication. For example, H1ENG016 (Media, Culture and Communication) would be good because medical professionals must communicate effectively with patients and family members, as well as write a variety of reports.

Several examples of possible schedules for programs in premedicine with a Bachelors degree in Physics (with a minor in biology) and a Certificate in Medical or Biological Physics, are given in the following academic tables.

A typical program of study with a BA in Physics and a minor in Biology:

First Year
Fall	Spring
CHM 131 -- Chemical Concepts I with Lab	CHM 132 -- Chemical Concepts II with Lab
MTH 171 -- Honors Calculus I	MTH 172 -- Honors Calculus II
PHY 141 -- Mechanics (Honors) 1	CAS 105 -- Primary Writing
BIO 110 2 -- Principles of Biology I	PHY 143 -- Honors Waves and Modern Physics
Second Year
Fall	Spring
CHM 203/207 -- Organic Chemistry I + Lab	CHM 204/208 -- Organic Chemistry II + Lab
MTH 173 -- Analysis IIIA	MTH 174 -- Honors Calculus IV
PHY 142 -- Electricity & Magnetism (Honors)	PHY 237 -- Quantum Mech. of Physical Systems 3
Cluster course	BIO 111 2 -- Principles of Biology II
Third Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 235W -- Classical Mechanics	PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Stat. Mech
BIO 121 -- Genetics	Cluster course
MTH 281 -- Fourier Series	MTH 282 -- Intro. Complex Variables, or OPT 287 -- Math Methods in Optics and Physics
Cluster course	Elective (e.g. BIO 150 -- Biochemistry)
Fourth Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 217 -- Electricity & Magnetism I	Cluster course
PHY 243W -- Advanced Experimental Techniques I	Biological Physics Elective: e.g. PHY421/301/RAD501 -- Seminar in the Physics of Medical Imaging (Foster, 2 credit), or Biophysics PHY 393W -- Biological Physics Senior Thesis 5, or other approved for Certificate in Bio/Med Physics
BIO 203 -- Mammalian Anatomy (with Lab)	BIO 204 -- Mammalian Physiology (4 credit with Lab)
Cluster course	Cluster course

A typical program of study with a BS in Physics and a minor in Biology (in Preparation for MD/PhD):

First Year
Fall	Spring
CHM 131 -- Chemical Concepts I with Lab	CHM 132 -- Chemical Concepts II with Lab
MTH 171 -- Honors Calculus I	MTH 172 -- Honors Calculus II
PHY 141 -- Mechanics (Honors) 1	CAS 105 -- Primary Writing
BIO 110 2 -- Principles of Biology I	PHY 143 -- Honors Waves and Modern Physics
Second Year
Fall	Spring
CHM 203/207 -- Organic Chemistry I + Lab	CHM 204/208 -- Organic Chemistry II + Lab
MTH 173 -- Analysis IIIA	MTH 174 -- Honors Calculus IV
PHY 142 -- Electricity & Magnetism (Honors)	PHY 237 -- Quantum Mech. of Physical Systems 3
Cluster course	BIO 111 2 -- Principles of Biology II
Third Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 235W -- Classical Mechanics	PHY 227 -- Thermo. & Stat. Mech
BIO 121 -- Genetics (with Lab BIO 115L)	PHY 246 -- Quantum Theory 3
MTH 281 -- Fourier Series	MTH 282 -- Intro. Complex Variables, or OPT 287 -- Math Methods in Optics and Physics
Cluster course	Cluster course
Fourth Year
Fall	Spring
PHY 217 -- Electricity & Magnetism I	PHY 218 -- Electricity & Magnetism II
PHY 243W -- Advanced Experimental Techniques I	Biological Physics Elective: e.g. PHY421/301/RAD501 -- Seminar in the Physics of Medical Imaging (Foster, 2 credit), or Biophysics PHY 393W -- Biological Physics Senior Thesis 5, or other approved for Certificate in Bio/Med Physics
BIO 203 -- Mammalian Anatomy (with Lab)	Elective or Cluster course
Cluster course	Cluster course

¹Students who have had an introduction to differential and integral calculus in high school are encouraged to take PHY 141 in the Fall instead of PHY 121 in the Spring.

²Students with a grade of 4 or 5 in AP biology can place out of BIO 110/111. Note that students who do not wish to minor in biology, and who want more flexibility in their program, can satisfy medical school biology requirements (2 semesters of biology with lab) by taking introductory BIO 110/111 and BIO 180 laboratory.

³Students who have taken PHY 143 in their freshman year should take PHY 237 in their sophomore year and PHY 246 in their junior year. Students who did not take PHY 143 in their freshman year should take PHY 123 in their sophomore year, PHY 237 in their junior year and PHY 246 in their senior year.

⁴PHY 143 is open to freshmen only, except by permission of the instructor.

⁵One of these is required to complete a certificate in Biological/Medical Physics, or IND 425 (BPH 525), or some other biophysics course can be taken instead.

The BA and BS programs shown above were designed to cover the following typical requirements for premedical students: two english courses, two biology courses with laboratories, and four chemistry courses including organic chemistry and two years of laboratories. The reequirements of one semester of mathematics and two semesters of physics with laboratories are met automatically. The humanities/social science medical school requirements are satisfied by the cluster sequences. BIO 110/111 followed by BIO 180 (laboratory) can be used to satisfy minimal medical school requirements in biology for non-biology majors. BIO 203 (Mammalian Anatomy) (Fall/Summer) and BIO 204 (Mammalian Physiology) (Spring/Summer) can also be used to satisfy medical school requirements for a laboratory course in biology.

Go to Undergraduate Programs page.