Overview
The Illinois State University Biophysics program applies physics, chemistry, and biological principles along with mathematical modeling and computational methods to study the dynamics of life. It is an interdisciplinary program that gives the students professional skills to pursue professional careers in bioengineering, medical engineering, biology, environmental science, medicine, and related fields.
Why Study Biophysics?
The challenging biological problems of the future will demand the integration of concepts from biology, chemistry, and physics. A physicist that also has a solid background in biology and biochemistry will have special strengths in this integration. Research at the intersection between physical and life sciences is rich with opportunities and has been targeted by funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and many private foundations. Biophysics plays an important role in a wide range of medical and biological processes such as diagnosis and treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, understanding the fundamentals of how the human brain functions, and in the development of biologically inspired materials.