Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania

United States of America, Philadelphia

University Rank:#15

The Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania is a Bachelor program designed for students who want to build the knowledge and skills required for careers in this field. Delivered on campus at the university's main campus in Philadelphia, United States of America, the program is taught in English and takes 4 years to complete. Students study in a Full Time environment while preparing for future professional opportunities. The next intake starts on May 22, 2027.

About Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science

Physics and astronomy are fundamental sciences aimed at discovering the basic principles that govern our universe. Physicists study the interplay between space, time, matter, and energy. Complex behavior in nature is explained in terms of elementary relations between constituent elements and the forces that bind them, over distances ranging from subatomic to cosmic scale. Astronomy encompasses the entire physical universe beyond the earth: the solar system, stars, galaxies, galaxy clusters and superclusters, quasars, and the large-scale structure of the universe. The basic tools in physics and astronomy are mathematics and experimental investigation and observation of the world around us.

At Penn, the curriculum for undergraduate Physics majors, which includes extensive laboratory experience, is based on faculty strengths in Condensed Matter Physics, Elementary Particle Physics, and Astrophysics. Undergraduate teaching is linked to faculty research efforts in these areas, and participation by undergraduates in research is strongly encouraged.

This concentration reflects increasing contributions of physicists (including members of our faculty) to implications of Physics to Biological Sciences. Undergraduate students choosing this concentration will prepare themselves for careers in scientific research or professional Medical Physics programs that have been instituted at Penn and other universities, among other possibilities.

The proposed concentration is distinct from the existing Biophysics Major, although the two share several required courses. The Biophysics Major requires much more chemistry, making it appropriate for students interested in protein science and other topics within the well-established field of Biophysics. The Physics major with a Concentration in Biological Science targets students with interests in the emerging field of Biological Physics, where researchers directly apply physical concepts and techniques to investigate biological systems; the emphasis is on developing new insights regarding biological systems from a perspective strongly rooted in Physics.

The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 36. Double majors may entail more course units.

Disciplines

School of Arts & Sciences

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania

Entry Requirements

Our admission decisions are made prior to the announcement of results for many national examinations (such as the A Levels or French Baccalaureate), but applicants are expected to be enrolled in programs that prepare them for these examinations. If you are enrolled in a program that will not release external examination results prior to our application deadlines, you must request that your school send us predictions of external examination results along with your grades.

Where national examinations are required for admission to a pre-university program (such as the IGCSE or the SPM), you should have received high marks on these examinations and should present certified copies of the results with your Penn application.

Students in our diverse global community have a wide range of passions, perspectives, and talents. Beyond academics, we would like to learn about your non-scholarly interests, extracurricular activities, and community service (though we recognize that patterns for non-academic involvement vary from country to country).

English Requirements

IELTSMin 7
TOEFLMin 100

Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania

Application Fee 75

How to Apply for Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania

When applying to Penn, you will be asked to choose one of our four undergraduate schools or a coordinated dual-degree, accelerated, or specialized program that will serve as home base throughout your academic journey. Your application will be reviewed in the context of the school or program to which you have applied. Prior to preparing your application, we encourage you to learn more about our undergraduate schools and our coordinated dual degree programs and specialized programs. We also provide many ways to engage with these programs throughout the admissions cycle.

All admitted students will be admitted to the specific school or program for which they applied. Your admitted school or program will shape your curriculum, and your Penn degree will come from that specific school or program. That said, all undergraduate students at Penn will also gain a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and have the ability to take classes across all four schools.

As you prepare for your application journey, we encourage you to explore your interests and to hear from current students as they share their personal journeys at Penn.

Bachelor of Physics: Biological Science at University of Pennsylvania

University of Pennsylvania

United States of America, Philadelphia