FAQ
Do I have to be a physics major to enter the graduate program?
What course requirements do I need to enter graduate school in biophysics?
What are the career opportunities in Biophysics?
Can I get a masters degree in Biophysics?
Biophysics is the application of physical and mathematical principles to biological problems. Generally, Biophysicists take very quantitative approaches and use high-end technology in their work. However, in many ways the discipline of biophysics encompasses a great deal of biology and is very broad. Faculty in biophysics work in biochemistry, physiology, physics, chemistry, cell biology and many other fields. You may wish to look up the home page of the Biophysical Society, http://www.biophysics.org/index.html which frequently has information regarding careers in biophysics.
Do I have to be a physics major to enter the graduate program?
No. About 1/2 of our students are physics majors and the rest major in biology, chemistry or other fields. We tailor your graduate education to provide you with the additional coursework you need to be a well rounded scientist.
What course requirements do I need to enter graduate school in Biophysics?
Generally, if you are a science major with a good background in mathematics (i.e. up to integral calculus) we would be interested in talking to you. Sometimes, students who have entered the program are pure mathematics majors or engineers, sometimes they are largely biology or premed majors. We are willing to work with you to develop your career and get you the courses you need. OSU is one of the largest campuses in the world and offers a wide variety of courses throughout the year. Our interest in you is weighed heavily by whether we feel you really enjoy science and scholarly activity.
The GRE is not required for admission to the Biophysics Program, however if you wish to submit your scores to strengthen your application you may do so.
There are graduate student dormitories available on campus and a large amount of off campus student housing. Information about on-campus housing is available online at: http://housing.osu.edu/living-on-campus/ Information about off-campus housing is available online at: http://offcampus.osu.edu/off-campus-living/
What are the career opportunities in Biophysics?
Excellent in both universities and industry. It is one of the most broad based education you can receive and allows you to work in a variety of departments and areas of specialty, depending on your area of expertise. In a post-genomic era, it is areas of biophysics that offer the most opportunity for a future in biological science.
Can I get a masters degree in Biophysics?
Yes, however we encourage all applicants to go for a Ph.D. All of our students who pass their general exams (approximately after their second year) automatically receive a masters degree.
