About

Biophysics applies the principles and techniques of physics to biology. More exactly, biophysicists use physics and its related sciences of physical chemistry, electrical engineering, mathematics, and computer science to research basic biological questions. Sometimes, though, the physics necessary to answer a biology research question hasn't been developed yet, so a biophysicist may do basic research in the physical sciences as well.

The problems biophysicists study are the ones that can benefit from a physical and mathematical approach, and usually involve energy transformations, radiation, electrical and magnetic fields, or information processing. The biological problems tackled by biophysicists can range from the structure of small molecules to ecology or evolutionary theory. Most biophysicists work on problems of vision, photosynthesis, muscle contraction, ion pumps, nerves, or the determination of molecular structures.

Biophysics is very similar to bioengineering, from which it differs mostly in the goal of the research. The main aim of biophysics is to understand biological systems, while the aim of bioengineering is to make practical devices.

Organization

The Biophysics Graduate program operates under the supervision of the Program Council for the Environmental Sciences and the Life Sciences which includes the deans of all colleges with faculty representation in the interdisciplinary graduate programs.  It has three sister programs, the Ohio State Biochemistry Program, the Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology program, and the Neuroscience Graduate Program. 

The program administration consists of two co-directors, Gunjan Agarwal (Engineering) and Mark Foster (Arts & Sciences), program manager, Kiley Morgan-Myrick, and program assistant A.J. Minney. They are supported by the Graduate Studies Committee and the Biophysics Student Organization.

Graduate Studies Committee

Biophysics Student Organization

The Biophysics Student Organization (BSO) is a student-run group that represents the interests of Biophysics Program students and organizes social and professional events. The officers of the BSO are elected to 1-year terms by a vote of the student body. A representative of the BSO, usually the president, serves as student representative to the Graduate Studies.