a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Biomedical Physics
Faculty listed under Physics
At the most basic level, biomedical physics seeks to understand the role of physical processes occurring on molecular, cellular, or macroscopic scales, in vital biological functions, ranging from the extraction of oxygen from the lungs by red blood cells to the generation of complex electrical signals in the brain and nervous system. At the most practical level, biomedical physics examines how physical principles and modern instrumentation techniques can be used in a rapidly increasing number of medical applications, ranging from imaging tissue structures and organ functions, to detecting and curing diseases, to performing sophisticated surgeries.
The biomedical physics major sponsored by the physics department helps students understand the interrelationships between physics, biology, and medicine, at both fundamental and practical levels. Students acquire a strong interdisciplinary training in science. This training combines formal classwork in physics, biology, computer science, and mathematics, with practical seminar courses in medical imaging, medical applications of lasers and optical techniques, and radiation therapy. The latter courses are given by expert practitioners from local hospitals and institutions (e.g., Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School), and are designed to help students make the connection between the real-world clinical environment and classroom learning.
Students have the opportunity, through Northeastern's program of cooperative education, to further their educational experience by working in various biotechnology companies, medical instrumentation companies, and local hospitals. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research projects with faculty members doing research in biophysics and biomedical-related areas. Undergraduate research fellowships awarded by the physics department are available for particularly able students.
The biomedical physics major prepares students for a broad range of careers and graduate study options in biomedical-related areas. Students can choose to find direct employment in various industrial or hospital facilities as well as in companies involved in developing and manufacturing medical devices, biomaterials, and instrumentation. They can also choose to attend medical school, to pursue advanced degrees in physics, biophysics, or biomedical engineering, or to enter a professional graduate program in biomedical physics.
Bachelor of Science Curriculum
PHY 1221, PHY 1222, PHY 1223, Physics for Science and Engineering Students 1, 2, and 3, and associated labs PHY 1521, PHY 1522, and PHY 1533; PHY 1300, Physics with Computers; PHY 1302, Electric and Magnetic Fields; PHY 1303, Modern Physics; PHY 1304, Mathematical Physics; PHY 1305, Thermodynamics and Kinetic Theory; PHY 1404, Wave Motion and Optics; PHY 1551, PHY 1552, Electronics for Scientists 1 and 2; PHY 1555, Wave Lab; PHY 1421, Biological Physics 1; PHY 1423, Medical Physics; PHY 1451, Medical Imaging; PHY 1452, Radiation Therapy; and PHY 1453, Applications of Lasers in Medicine.
MTH 1140, MTH 1141, MTH 1142, MTH 1243, Calculus for Science Majors 1, 2, 3, and 4; CHM 1111, CHM 1122, General Chemistry for Life Science 1 and 2B; BIO 1108, General Biology; BIO 1109, Animal Biology; BIO 1355, Regulatory Cell Physiology; and three additional science electives from those approved for majors in physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and biology.