University of Missouri

Physics is the science that studies the structure and properties of matter and transformations of energy. With math as the language and experimental verification as a guide, physical study has established the fundamental laws of nature that are the foundation of all natural science and technology. The study of physics includes learning the general principles and the phenomena that have been discovered and developing the skills that enable such knowledge to be advanced through research. Biological physics is an interdisciplinary area that employs and develops theories and methods of the physical sciences for the investigation of biological systems. There is a long history of the quantitative tools and techniques originally developed within the physics community finding critical applications in biology. Examples range from the first visualization of the DNA double helix via X-ray diffraction to the widespread use of magnetic resonance imaging in hospitals throughout the world.  Currently, biological physics is one of the fastest growing physics research areas that is vital for many other fields, including medicine, bioengineering, and biology. Students specializing in this area have career opportunities in medical centers, research institutes and biotechnology industries, as well as the more traditional academic venues.