专业描述

As a field of research, biological physics is the study of physical processes that govern living systems. Energy transfer in photosynthesis, mechanisms of molecular transport on cell membranes, and chaotic behavior of excitable cells are examples of topics of great current interest. Medical physics also invokes these processes, with a view towards applications in several specialties, such as radiology (medical imaging) and radiation oncology (the use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer). Training in physics provides a unique perspective and valuable insight to problems in biology and medicine. Physicists have contributed to the understanding of diverse biological phenomena such as photosynthesis, the structure and function of cell membranes, and the structure of DNA. They have long been pioneers in applying fundamental laws of nature in the development of sophisticated medical instrumentation and techniques, such as X-ray computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography. This Certificate Program is designed to provide students with the fundamentals necessary for applying physical principles to problems in biology or medicine, whether it be in the context of future graduate study or employment. It is administered by a committee within the Department of Physics and Astronomy. This committee approves individual programs and decides the nature of the certificate (biological physics, medical physics, or biological physics and medical physics). The Certificate Committee members are Professor Foster (Chair), Professor Gao, Professor Knox, and Professor Zhong.