5: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

General Information | Programs and Degrees Offered | Admission Information
Financial Assistance | Graduate Academic Regulations
Requirements for Specific Graduate Degrees | Departments and Programs | Faculty

Interdisciplinary Program in Biophysics
Course Descriptions | Program Requirements

Program Requirements

The Interdisciplinary Program in Biophysics   at the University of Virginia comprises the research and teaching facilities of some 48 faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the School of Medicine. The graduate teaching program is designed to allow a maximum degree of flexibility so that students with varying backgrounds can be prepared to investigate the broad range of problems encompassed by biophysics.

Admission   Students with a bachelor's degree in science or engineering will be considered for admission. A strong undergraduate background in physics, chemistry, and mathematics is desirable. Students lacking particular prerequisites may take appropriate courses during their first year of graduate study. A GRE advanced test in an appropriate area is recommended.

Financial Support   Biophysics Fellowships are granted to first- and second-year students on a competitive basis. Research assistantships are available to graduate students at all levels. Several departments which have faculty members active in the Biophysics Program administer fellowships and teaching assistantships for which biophysics students may qualify. Financial support is available to most students in the program.

Supervision   An entering biophysics student is assigned an advisory committee which guides the student in choosing coursework and rotations. Later, when the student chooses a thesis mentor, a thesis committee is chosen upon mutual consent of the mentor, student, and committee member. This committee meets at regular intervals to review the progress of the student's research, and acts as a thesis defense committee.

Course of Study and Degree Requirements   The program maintains a maximum degree of flexibility in order to meet the needs and wishes of each individual student. Students will be advised to take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or other appropriate areas to supplement their training and to prepare them for their field of special interest. Specifically designed biophysics courses and seminars are also offered. No language requirement is specified. Each student will be expected to demonstrate an advanced understanding of his or her chosen field. In addition the student must meet the University residency and credit requirement as listed in this Graduate Record. The student will meet periodically with their advisory committee during the course of their research work. Finally, the student must submit an successfully defend a dissertation describing original research in a field of biophysics.

Continue to: Interdisciplinary Program in Cell and Molecular Biology
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