BIOPH-PHD - Biophysics (PhD)
Download as PDF
Program Overview
The Stanford Biophysics Program is an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental training program leading to the PhD in Biophysics. The program centers on understanding biological function in terms of physical and chemical principles. Faculty mentors come from more than 20 departments in the Schools of Humanities and Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory. Research in the Program involves two overlapping branches of biophysics: applying physical and chemical principles and methods to solving biological problems, and developing new methods.
The Biophysics Program aims to train students in quantitative approaches to biology while developing their perspective in choosing research questions. A balanced academic program is tailored to the diverse backgrounds of the students. The program requires graduate-level coursework in physical and biological sciences, participation in seminar series, and, most importantly, achievement of a high level of proficiency in independent research.
This program is full time, and doctoral students in the Biophysics PhD program are expected to maintain a significant physical presence on campus throughout their graduate studies. This ensures that students have access to advisors and mentors, laboratories, and other resources that support timely progress towards completion of degree requirements. Additionally, being on campus ensures that students are part of the academic and campus community which supports continued professional development.
Admissions Information
Information on how to apply for graduate study at Stanford is available on the university’s Graduate Admissions website. Application information specific to Biophysics can be found on the program website.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Degree Requirements
All required courses must be taken with letter grades, except BIOPHYS 250 (C/NC) & MED 255 (P/N). The minimum acceptable grade is B.
- 1272883
OR 2042561 - 1272892
- 1243111
- 1277951
PhD students in the Program in Biophysics must also complete at least four additional graduate-level courses in physical or biological sciences, which must include:
At least one quantitative course in physical science, and
At least one literature-based course in biological science
Although teaching is not a requirement for the degree, students may teach as part of the financial support commitment and their professional training.
Admission to candidacy is a prospective judgement by the faculty of a student’s potential to successfully complete the requirements of the degree program. Qualifying procedures in Biophysics include required coursework, research rotations, identification of an advisor by the end of Spring quarter in the first year of the program, and successful completion of a Qualifying Exam in which the student presents and defends a dissertation research proposal. Additional details on qualifying procedures can be found in the Student Handbook, found on the program website.
In the Biophysics Program, the oral exam is a defense of the dissertation presented upon the completion of a pre-final draft. Students consult with their dissertation advisor and reading committee members on the timing of the defense. Students are expected to complete this milestone by the end of their sixth year in the program.
Students are required to submit an approved dissertation that makes an original contribution to scientific knowledge in the field of Biophysics. Students are expected to submit the dissertation in the same quarter that they complete the oral exam, and no later than the subsequent quarter.