Biomedical Physics Track

The Biomedical Physics track offers an opportunity for students to enhance their education in biology, chemistry, and bioengineering, while using their physics skills and analytical problem solving abilities. Such students are often interested in careers in medicine, biology, biophysics, or medical physics. Other students may be interested in the development of the next generation of equipment and software for the detection and cure of disease; in research of materials that can be used in the human body; or in science and technology used in solving clinical problems. Premedical students with interest in radiology, cardiology, neurology, and ophthalmology should find the track especially valuable. This track satisfies the general medical school admission requirements when proper choices of options and electives are made. The courses in the Biomedical Physics track uphold the rigor of TCNJ physics major, while allowing adequate flexibility in choosing among the option courses. For example, students interested in nuclear medicine can take the Nuclear Physics course. Students interested in ophthalmology would be well served by choosing the Optics course.

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Recommended Course Sequence

Freshman Year

• FSP First Seminar
• PHY 099 Orientation to Physics
• PHY 201/202 General Physics I, II
• MAT 127/128 Calculus A, B
• CHE 201/202 General Chemistry I, II
• WRI 102 Academic Writing (If required)
  

Sophomore Year

• PHY 321 Modern Physics
• CSC 215 Computer Science I, or CSC 220 Computational Problem Solving
• BIO 185 Themes in Biology
• BIO 211 Biology of the Eukaryotic Cell
• PHY 311 Analog and Digital Electronics
• PHY 316 Biomedical Physics
• Foreign Language
• Liberal Learning

Junior/Senior Year

• PHY 451 Experimental and Analytical Physics
  or PHY 493 Independent Research (either of the previous two courses counts as the capstone)
• BME 251 Introduction to Biomedical Engineering
• Physics Options (2)
• Correlate Courses (3)
• Foreign Language (2)
• Liberal Learning (4)
• Electives (3)

Physics Options

• PHY 306 Mathematical Physics
• PHY 401 Classical Mechanics
• PHY 411 Optics and Wave Motion
• PHY 416 Heat and Thermodynamics
• PHY 426 Particle and Nuclear Physics
• PHY 421/422 Electromagnetic Theory I and II

Correlate Courses

With advisement, students will select three of the following courses depending on their interests and goals:

• BME 311 Physiological Systems (with its associated lab-BME 333)
• ENG 272 Advanced Engineering Math I
• ELC 321 Signals and Systems
• BIO 231 Genetics (with lab)
• BIO 332 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (with lab)
• CHE 331 Organic Chemistry I

[Students who are considering a career in medicine should note that medical school admissions typically require two semesters of biology with lab (designed for biology majors), and two semesters of organic chemistry.]

*Students exempt from language and/or writing requirements may take additional physics options or electives.

February, 2006