BIOPHYSICS - Xavier University

RECOMMENDED CLASS SCHEDULESBACHELOR OF SCIENCE [BS] IN BIOPHYSICSThese schedules serve as a guideline for progress toward a degree. Students should consult with their academic advisor.First Semester Sem. Hrs. Second Semester Sem. Hrs.FRESHMAN YEARPHYS 170, University Physics I 3 PHYS 172, University Physics II 3PHYS 171, Explorations in Physics I 1 PHYS 173, Explorations in Physics II 1MATH 170, Calculus I 4 MATH 171, Calculus II 4PHIL 100, Ethics 3 Fine Arts elective 3BIOL 160, General Biology I 3 Social Science elective 3BIOL 161, General Biology I Lab 2 ENGL 101 OR 115, Engl Comp/Rhetoric 3Total 16 Total 17SOPHOMORE YEARCHEM 160, General Chemistry I 3 CHEM 162, General Chemistry II 4CHEM 161, General Chemistry I Lab 1 CHEM 163, General Chemistry II Lab 1PHYS 330, Modern Physics I 3 PHYS 340, Modern Physics II 3PHYS 331, Modern Physics I Lab 1 PHYS 341, Modern Physics II Lab 1Foreign Language elective 3 Foreign Language elective 3THEO 111, Theological Foundations 3 MATH 230, Differential Equations 3History elective I 3 History elective II 3Total 17 Total 18JUNIOR YEARPHYS 350, Theoretical Mechanics 3 PHYS elective 3CHEM 240, Organic Chemistry I 3 CHEM 242, Organic Chemistry II 3CHEM 241, Organic Chemistry I Lab 1 CHEM 243, Organic Chemistry II Lab 1PHYS/CHEM/BIOL elective 3 Literature elective 3PHIL 290, Theory of Knowledge 3 PHYS/CHEM/BIOL elective 3Social Science elective 3 Literature elective 3Total 16 Total 16SENIOR YEARBIO 440, Biochemistry 3 PHYS 387, Biophysics 3PHYS 395, Physics Research 1 PHYS 398, Physics Thesis 1PHYS elective 2/3 PHYS/CHEM/BIOL elective 3Philosophy elective 3 Theology 300-level elective 3Gender and Diversity 3 Gender and Diversity 3ENGL/CLAS/SPAN/FREN 205 Lit & Moral Imagination 3 E/RS Focus elective 3Total 15/16 Total 16Scheduling notes: • Consult the undergraduate Core Curriculum requirements.• The E/RS Focus elective requirement may be used to satisfy another element of the Core or the major.• A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for the degree.• Students are required to take 6 hours of approved courses representing two different disciplines to fulfill the Core Diversity requirement.

THE PROGRAMThe Department of Physics offers the Bachelor of Science (BS)in Biophysics, Physics and Applied Physics with concentrationsin engineering, natural sciences, or an alternate concentrationdesigned by the student.Three times since 1982, the Xavier class valedictorian has been aphysics major. The national average for the number of bachelor’sdegrees in physics granted annually per institution (by BS/BA granting institutions) is 4.3. Xavier’s physics program hasaveraged 8.4 per year over the past 40 years.The biophysics program is highly interdisciplinary, providingstudents with the background and techniques of biology,chemistry and physics necessary to enter this rapidly growingfield. The program’s flexibility is intended to allow students totailor their experience toward their personal interests, be it inindustrial research, engineering, teaching or health-science. Theprogram’s structure is intended to prepare a student for the rigorsof advanced degree programs in biophysics as well as a widevariety of other fields of physics, law, medicine, health sciencesand biotechnology.Students who earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biophysicsfrom Xavier University should:1. Display intellectual curiosity about and intuition into physical,chemical and biological processes;2. Demonstrate a working knowledge of fundamental biology,chemistry and physics principles and an understanding of howthey are applicable to each other;3. Display critical thinking skills, especially those skills requiredfor the analysis and synthesis of knowledge pertaining to physical,chemical and biological processes;4. Be equipped with technical skills and abilities for success ina career in a scientifically or technically oriented business orindustry;5. Display abilities useful for carrying out independentinvestigation and originality of thought; i.e. develop creativethinking skills necessary for effectively combining knowledgeobtained from differing fields and disciplines;6. Display effective oral and written communication skillsespecially with regards to communicating scientific theories andmodels, data, results, outcomes, and proposals.The physics faculty is committed to superior teaching, supportedby a 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio and close faculty-studentinteraction promoting discussion and exploration.RESOURCESThe physics program is located in the Carl H. Lindner FamilyPhysics Building, which is part of the Xavier Science Center thatincludes Logan Hall (chemistry) and Albers Hall (biology).Lindner Hall houses lecture rooms, classrooms, faculty officesand a variety of research facilities, including laboratories forelectronics, holography, optical trapping, quantum optics,device physics, superconductivity, atomic and nuclear physics,and biophysics.OUTCOMESAccording to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employmentof biological scientists, including biophysicists, is projectedto grow 21 percent much faster than the average for alloccupations, through 2018.In addition to pursuing graduate study, biophysics majors areprepared for a range of employment opportunities in science,industry and research. Biophysics is a new program at Xavier,but positions held by Xavier physics graduates include:• Attaché, U.S. Department of State• Comptroller, ITT Corp.• University professor• High-school teacher• Researcher, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory• Researcher, Argonne National Laboratory• Medical doctor• Lawyer• Vice president, IBM• Vice president, Macy’s• Veterinarian• Product developer, Procter & Gamble• Nuclear naval officer• NASA engineer• Venture capitalist• Executive officer, Army Corps of EngineersMore than 40 percent of graduates have earned a doctorateor are presently studying in a doctoral program. Xavier physicsgraduates have gone on to graduate programs at:• Harvard• Stanford• Johns Hopkins• Carnegie-Mellon• Ohio State• University of Michigan• Michigan State• Purdue• Illinois• Georgia Institute of Technology• University of California-Berkeley• YaleThe building also includes an astronomical observatory and acomplete machine shop.A dedicated student lounge offers a place to relax, socialize andstudy. Students also have extensive use of computer facilities andwireless network access.The biology program is housed in Albers Hall, which featuresclassrooms and offices, teaching laboratories, faculty/studentresearch laboratories, a small animal facility, a modifiedgreenhouse and storage areas. Adjoining Logan Hall is also usedfor biology research.Biophysics majors are encouraged to work side-by-side withfaculty in one of the department’s numerous research programs.The department also provides funding to support student research

activities during the academic year as well as fellowships to support summerresearch efforts.Every biophysics major must complete a senior research project under thesupervision of a faculty member as a requirement of graduation.All undergraduate biophysics/physics/applied physics majors are members ofthe Physics Club, which provides opportunities to meet, socialize and discuss awide range of topics, from class work to world politics.Students who demonstrate excellence in the study of physics are invited to joinSigma Pi Sigma ∑∏∑, the national physics honor society.Opened in August 2010, the Conaton Learning Commons is the heart ofthe James E. Hoff, S.J., Academic Quad on Xavier’s campus. The Commonsprovides students with the facilities, technologies and services to help themmaster essential skills and gain a competitive advantage in their respectivedisciplines and careers.u Features 84,000 square feet, five floors and 24/7 environment.u Equips students with all the latest academic and technological tools in awireless setting.u Offers ample space for individual study and group work in a wireless settingwith access to plasma screens, movable white boards—and a café.u Houses centers for academic advising and career services and labs for math,writing and modern languages.Resources include a digital media lab, classrooms, auditorium and a centralizedlocation for reference and technology assistance.CORE CURRICULUMThe foundation of Xavier’s success is its commitment to its Jesuit heritage.The Core Curriculum embodies Xavier’s mission and philosophy of educationand serves as a valuable foundation for all undergraduate students. Withinthe Core, the four-course Ethics/Religion and Society (E/RS) Focus fostersstudents’ understanding of socially significant issues through study of thehumanities, especially literature, philosophy and theology, as well as the socialand natural sciences. Along with courses in their major, Xavier students alsotake Core courses in: cultural diversity, English composition, fine arts, foreignlanguage, history, literature, mathematics, philosophy, science, social scienceand theology.ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTSCore Curriculum: Minimum 65 credit hoursMajor in biophysics: 24 semester hours of specific physics courses, 16semester hours of specific chemistry courses, 8 semester hours of specificbiology courses, 3 semester hours of mathematics courses and 15 semesterhours of natural sciences elective courses.XAVIER AT A GLANCEFounded in 1831, Xavier University is a JesuitCatholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio, annuallyranked among the nation’s best universities.Its three colleges offer 86 undergraduate majors,54 minors and 11 graduate programs to 7,019total students, including 4,368 undergraduates.FOR MORE INFORMATIONOFFICE OF ADMISSIONPhone: 513-745-3301877-XUADMIT (982-3648)Fax: 513-745-4319Email:xuadmit@xavier.eduWeb:www.xavier.eduDEPARTMENT OF PHYSICSSteven Herbert, PhD, ChairPhone: 513-745-3293Email:herbert@xavier.eduWeb:www.xavier.edu/physicsOn Campus: 110 Lindner HallOffice of Admission3800 Victory ParkwayCincinnati, Ohio 45207-5131Xavier is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Information in this brochure is correct as of 3/12.