Curriculum

In your first two years, you’ll follow a course of study in physics, biology, mathematics, chemistry and computer science.

In your final two years, an advisor will help you select major electives from the natural sciences that are tailored to your interests and goals. You have the option to pick up an extra major or minor.

Biophysics classes are held in the Loyola Science Center, offering dedicated spaces for informal gatherings, student group work, student research, mediated classrooms and labs with state-of-the-art equipment.

Click here to see the curriculum.

Research Projects

Students collaborate with faculty and conduct research on everything from modeling cardiac valve dysfunction to developing an electronic nose to aid in the detection of gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD). Recent students have obtained paid summer research experiences at Purdue University of South Florida and Rutgers University. Here are some specific examples:

• A biophysics student developed a mechanical analog of the eardrum to allow deaf students to visualize sound production and generate a hearing sensitivity graph of their own, based on movements of this mechanical eardrum.
• A student did a project to monitor sign language gestures that were translated into actual speech to help her hearing impaired sister.
• Several students worked on projects to design non-invasive sensors that monitored everyday activities to aid in keeping the elderly safely in their homes while preserving their independence, dignity and privacy.
• Several students worked on a project to develop an intelligent prosthetic arm to significantly reduce or eliminate the acclimation period for its use.

The big problems facing society today, such as global warming and depleting water supplies, require interdisciplinary solutions. The study of biophysics, one of the most established interdisciplinary fields, will prepare you to tackle these and the other significant issues we face. 

Closer to home, we offer significant service-learning opportunities in our local community. As a Jesuit institution, we encourage students to develop a sense of responsibility for themselves and their community.

Our students have built a device to convert sign language gestures into speech and developed technologies to extend the time that the elderly are able to live safely in their own homes. Our students also participated in a STEM robotics project at a local elementary school.