- PhD candidate in Physics, Princeton University
- Resident physician, Vancouver Coastal Health
- Medical physics resident, Stanford Hospital & Clinics
- Clinical medical biophysicist, ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿ÚFaculty of Dentistry
- Medical student, University of British Columbia
- PhD candidate in Structural Biology, City University of New York
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Úinternational student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all .
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Biophysics.
Program information
Study life at every level, from atoms and molecules to cells, organisms, and environments, while you look for and analyze patterns. You’ll also gain an understanding of the basic concepts and quantitative skills of physics. This program will prepare you for graduate studies in biological sciences or physics, work as a medical professional, or a career in fields such as pharmaceuticals.
Program overview
- Campus
- Vancouver
- Program length
- 4 years
- Honours This option has additional requirements compared to those required in a Major specialization. Students must maintain high academic standing and may have to write a graduating thesis.
- Yes
- Co-op Co-op is an optional program where students alternate between academic terms and paid work terms. It’s an opportunity to gain relevant job experience while completing your degree.
- Yes
- Faculty
- Faculty of Science
- Degree
- Bachelor of Science
What you'll learn
Biophysics is a cross-disciplinary field that incorporates concepts from physical and mathematical sciences with the study of biological systems. The honours Biophysics program aims to give students a strong foundational knowledge of one of the subfields in biological sciences at the senior undergraduate level – molecular and cell biology, macrobiology, or applied biology.
This specialization is specifically geared towards students intending to pursue graduate studies in the biological sciences (including medical, dental, pharmacy, or veterinary school) or physics.
Please note that Biophysics is available only as an honours degree.
Campus features
The Applied Biophysics research laboratory specializes in the development of novel tools and methods for the analysis and manipulation of biomolecules. The lab draws on specializations in Engineering, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology.
Program advantages
Study at one of the top physics departments in Canada with an outstanding international reputation. Biophysics has a prestigious, tight-knit honours program, and small class sizes in upper-years that ensure individualized attention. You will also be able to prepare yourself for graduate studies in biological sciences or physics.
Life at UBC's Vancouver campus
The Department of Physics and Astronomy is housed in the historic Hennings Building, which opened in 1947. Laboratories are generally hosted in the teaching and demo rooms of the Hebb Building and Theatre, which recently underwent renovations.
Courses
There are hundreds of courses you can take within Biophysics. Here are a few you might like.
Kinematics including curvilinear motion. Forces and Newton’s laws of motion. Work-energy theorem, conservation of energy. Conservation of momentum, collisions. Torque, rotational dynamics, angular momentum. Oscillations and waves.
Structure and function of plant and animal cells; membrane models, cytoplasmic organelles, biological information from gene to protein, the endomembrane system, secretion, intracellular digestion, endocytosis, transport processes, cytoskeleton and cell motility.
Physical principles involved in biological systems at the microscopic and molecular scales. Diffusion, low Reynolds number dynamics, the physicist’s view of biomolecular structure, models of molecular motors and membranes.
Symmetry of crystal structures, reciprocal lattice, band theory, conduction in metals and semiconductors, phonons and superconductivity.
Outcomes
Graduates of the honours Biophysics program almost always enter graduate programs in physics or biological sciences. The rigorous, cross-disciplinary nature of the specialization makes it an ideal pathway for entry into professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy, or dental.
Program graduates
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Program requirements
Choose application type:
English-language requirements
English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the English Language Admission Standard.
General admission requirements
IB Diploma Programme
- Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.
IB Certificate Courses
- IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.
- IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿ÚSauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.
Degree-specific requirements: Science
- IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL or HL, or IB Math Applications and Interpretations HL (IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, are not acceptable)
- One of IB Biology, IB Chemistry, or IB Physics
- Grade 11 or equivalent Chemistry, and
- Grade 11 or equivalent Physics (may be waived with grades of 5 in IB Chemistry and in your IB Mathematics course)
Note: Grade 11 Chemistry and Physics requirements listed are only relevant to students who are not completing the equivalent IB Diploma Chemistry and/or Physics courses.
For students studying outside of Canada, some examples of courses that may be accepted as Grade 11 equivalents are junior-level courses for American students, and IGCSE and O Level for those following British-patterned curricula.
Related courses
The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.
- Language Arts
- Mathematics and Computation
- Sciences
Want to get a feel for campus?
If you’re unable to visit ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Úin person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Ústudents walk you through UBC’s residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.
Related programs
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Biophysics.
Get a post-graduate work permit for up to three years if you are a full-time ÌÇÐÄlogoÈë¿Úinternational student graduating from a bachelor’s degree program and meet all .
Want to learn more?
Visit the Faculty of Science website to learn more about Biophysics.