BIOPHYSICS - Xavier University

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