Biophysics

College Majors Science Majors
1

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<p>I am going through a dilemma at the moment and would appreciate it if anyone could give me some thoughts and/or suggestions to consider.</p>

<p>I will be an incoming freshman this year at Grinnell College, and I know it's early to commit to a major, but I have always gotten a late start in academics and would like to make a change. </p>

<p>So my situation goes something like this: over the past year, I have been determined to major in physics and eventually become a solid state physics researcher. I have a deep interest in it and whether I end up majoring in physics or not, I want to study physics at some point in my life. However, while this is a passion of mine, I enjoy biology just as much (which would lead me to the field of medicine). My mom being a physicist, I have been exposed to more physics which led me to believe physics is what I want to pursue, but recently I've been convinced that my path should be independent of anyone. </p>

<p>As a result, I have been suggested to look into MD-PhD programs, and I am definitely interested. What seems most appealing at the moment is to try to get into an MD-PhD program (hopefully MSTP) and get the PhD in biophysics. This means that I would have to take the classes for a regular pre-med student and then physics, math, and biology. The problem is that Grinnell has a course distribution of 92 credits per division (maths and sciences are in one division). I will definitely be taking approximately 40 credits in mathematics, because I'm fearful that that might not be something I will be able to learn later on in my life, but I don't know whether I should focus more on biology or physics for the rest of the credits. The premed courses required are 3 classes of bio (12 credits), chemistry till OChem II (12 credits), 2 calc-based physics courses (which I already covered through AP classes), and calc I (which I also covered through AP classes), so I would have about 28 credits left after the math and premed courses.</p>

<p>My friend, a doctor, struck fear into me saying that I will suffer miserably, if not fail, if I do not take a dense biology course load in undergrad for med school; on the other hand, some discussions on CC have made me believe a strong physical science background is essential to study biophysics. </p>

<p>If you have any thoughts that might help, please comment!</p>

<p>I thank you in advance!</p>

2

<p>Actually untrue. Physicists and other physical science majors score higher than Bio majors in Mcats. For Biophysics, you’re less a biologist and primarily a physicist. Your focus is simply a biological system. While you will learn some biological concepts, it will still be from a perspective of a physicist.</p>

<p>In terms of your goals, physicis is more in line. If you really want to do Bio research, you can do that for a post grad degree. It will be easier going from physics to bio than the converse.</p>

<p>If you want to be a doctor, you can major in anything. Get a high gpa, do some internships, do well on the mcats. For this reason, a lot of premed go bio route (since its easier than other sciences) but its not required. Physics may be a downer since its a gpa killer. </p>