Biophysics
(BIPH)
Abstract
The Biophysics Program is in the Institute for Physical Science and Technology. It has faculty from Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Materials Science Departments and is affiliated with the Colleges of Chemical and Life Sciences, Computer, Mathematical and Physical Science, and Engineering. Doctoral degrees are offered. The post genomic era demands that expertise from a number of disciplines be used to solve some of the outstanding problems in biology, biomedicine, and bioengineering. For this reason we have assembled an outstanding group of faculty from biology, chemistry, engineering, and physics for our Biophysics Program which started officially in July 2008. The unique feature of the Maryland Biophysics Program is to train graduate students to use theoretical and computational methods to interpret and design cutting edge experiments on biological systems. Because our program is small we tailor the curriculum to suit the needs of the individual. The program offers Ph.D. and degrees in Biophysics. It is intended for students with undergraduate degrees in chemistry, physics or biology as well as students with majors in mathematics or engineering. The online application is located at apra@umd.edu. RESEARCH AREAS Membranes and channels Theory of biological nanomachines (motors, polymerases, F1-ATPase), motility, and the cytoskelteton Cell Mechanics and Motility Theoretical studies of Protein and RNA folding, molecular machines, protein aggregation Single molecule biophysics Fundamental aspects of the theory of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions Scattering Techniques in RNA and Polymers Protein Structure, Dynamics and Function Biophysics of biological regulation Mechanisms of allostery and protein assembly The Unique Method of the Biophysics Program involves, from the first semester, both doctoral and Masters students having a three-member faculty committee. The students meet with their committee once a semester and file a report. Once a year the students make a presentation to the Directors research group. Students may be guided by an outside mentor such as one from NIH. In this case they meet once a semester with their outside mentor and the Director or with a three-member committee which includes both their on and off campus mentors as well as an additional on campus faculty member. If the students do not satisfy the requirements of the three member committee they will be giving a written warning notification. If the result of the notification is not an improvement by the end of that semester, termination from the program may result. Core Courses include: BCHM461, Protein Folding/Dynamics BIOL622, Membranes and Ion Challes BIO708, Cell Biology for Physicist BSCI426 and BIOL 622 Membrane Transport Phenomena CHDM669D, Protein Structure, Folding and Dynamicsd CHEM684, Thermodynamics CHEM687, Statistical Mechanics CHEM689, Introduction to Biological Physics PHYS789N Basic Biophysics for Motion in Cells PHYS601, Theoretical Dynamics PHYS603, Methods of Statistical Physics PHYS606 Electrodynamics PHYS622, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics I PHYS623, Introduction to Quantum Mechanics II Biophysics Graduate Laboratory Sections have been incorporated in a Physics Course. Other courses in Bioengineering and Materials Science are also available. Graduate students in Biophysics are expected to develop a mastery of core chemistry, biology and physics academic subjects and become experts in their Ph.D. research area. Full-time doctoral students will normally " Become engaged in research no later than their third semester of study " Identify a thesis adviser by the end of the second year. " Identify a thesis topic no later than the third year. " Secure admission to candidacy within three years. " Submit at least one paper for publication prior to graduation. " Complete all requirements and graduate within five years.
Admissions Information
General GREs and a Subject GRE (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry or Physics) are required. Where necessary TOEFL scores are required. A personal statement which covers research and experience is an integral part of the admissions process. Three or more letters/e-mails of recommendation are required. The admissions process is through the link: apra.umd.edu. Students dedicated to a career in biophysics, either experimental or theoretical are sought. In particular, students with prior research experience are desired.
Application Deadlines
Fall
Spring
Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent ResidentsDomestic Applicant Deadlines
The deadline for Fall admission is January 15. .
This program does not accept applications for this semester.
International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials
IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas
February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants
May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1
October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials
May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15
October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31Application Requirements
General GRE One Subject GRE (Physics, Biology, Chemistry or Biochemistry) 3 Letters of Recommendation TOEFL where applicable Personal Statement of Research, Experiences and Goals
Degree Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Must meet with a three-person mentoring committee starting with first semester. A written report must be filed each semester. Once a year a presentation must be made to the Program Director's research group. The program is individualized so that the courses are tailored to what the individual already has taken and what they need to make their goals. A dissertation must be written and defended before a committee.
Facilities and Special Resources
Two experimental faculty run two laboratories. Multiple experiments are conducted at the same time with graduate students working on the experiments. A Biophysics Seminar is run on the average of once a week, generally given by visiting scholars. For those students electing to take the Seminar for credit, one credit is offered, and these students must sign in each week. Faculty form three-person committees to mentor students, as mentioned above.
Financial Assistance
TAships, RAships, Fellowships, arrangements for support from the National Institutes of Health.
Contact Information
www.marylandbiophysics.umd.edu
Caricia J. Fisher, Program Coordinator
Biophysics Program
Institute for Physical Science and Technology
University of Maryland
College Park
MD
20742
Telephone: (301)405-9307
Fax: (301)314-9404
cjfisher@umd.edu
marylandbiophysics.umd.edu
Professor D. Thirumalai, Director, Biophysics Program
Biophysics Program
Institute for Physical Science and Technology
University of Maryland
College Park
MD
20742
Telephone: (301)405-4803
Fax: (301)314-9404
thirum@umd.edu
marylandbiophysics.umd.edu
Courses: CHEM BCHM BIOL BSCI BIOE PHYS ENMA
Related Programs and Campus Units
Chemical Physics
Chemistry
Engineering: Materials Science and Engineering
Physics