Graduate Field of Biophysics

Degrees offered: Ph.D.

Graduate study in biophysics is interdisciplinary and highly individualized. Students majoring in biophysics are expected to obtain a broad, interdisciplinary knowledge of fundamental principles in both the biological and physical sciences. But because biophysics covers a wide range of areas, it would be unrealistic to expect to master each facet in detail. A student working in computational modeling of protein motions will develop a strong background in statistical physics, computational science and chemistry, while a student involved in laser studies of proteins in biological membranes will develop a strong background in quantum physics, instrumentation, chemistry and biomembranes.

At the point of passing the "A" exam-- usually after two years of study--each student is expected to demonstrate competence in specific subject areas that serve as a foundation for further work. Areas of required competence are: advanced mathematics, physical chemistry (i.e., statistical mechanics and/or quantum mechanics), biochemistry and molecular cell biology, computer literacy and/or laboratory electronics and instrumentation, and advanced studies in molecular biophysics and associated areas of biological and physical sciences.

The field's members are drawn from fourteen departments in seven campus units, and include three members of the National Academy of Sciences. International and national honors won by members of the Cornell biophysics faculty include the Biological Physics prize of the American Physical Society, the American Chemical Eli Lilly Award in Biochemistry, the Pfizer Award, and Guggenheim and Fogarty Foundation fellowships.

Research facilities for X-ray crystallography, optical, laser, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and computation include the Cornell Theory Center (supercomputing); the Center for High Energy Synchrotron Studies; MacCHESS (Macromolecular Crystallography at the Center for High Energy Synchrotron Studies), the Developmental Resource for Biophysical Imaging Optoelectronics, the Center for Advanced Technology in Biotechnology; the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility; the Keck 3D Stereo Viewing Theater; the Biomolecular NMR Center; and the Chemistry NMR Facility.

Apply Now Deadline: Fall, Dec. 15; no spring admission

Meet the Faculty

Baird, Barbara Ann Horace White Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Cerione, Richard A Goldwin Smith Professor
Chen, Peng Professor Asst
Craighead, Harold G
Charles W. Lake, Jr. Professor of Engineering, Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics; Director, Nanobiotechnology Center
Crane, Brian Associate Professor
Ealick, Steven Edward William T. Miller Professor
Feigenson, Gerald W Professor
Freed, Jack H Frank and Robert Laughlin Professor of Physical Chemistry
Gruner, Sol Michael Professor
Hess, George P Professor, Biochemistry
Holowka, David Allan Senior Scientist
Ke, Ailong Assistant Professor
Kotlikoff, Michael I. Dean
Lindau, Manfred Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics and Coordinator of the Engineering Physics Cooperative Program
Nicholson, Linda K Professor
Oswald, Robert Edward Professor
Owens, Thomas G Assoc Prof
Pollack, Lois Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Applied and Engineering Physics
Ryan, Timothy A. Associate Professor of Biochemistry in Anesthesiology / Tri-Institutional Professor / Professor of Biochemistry
Shalloway, David I Professor
Sondermann, Holger Robert N. Noyce Assistant Prof
Tan, Derek S. external faculty
Thorne, Robert Edward Professor/LASSP
Wang, Michelle D Professor/LASSP
Webb, Watt W Samuel B. Eckert Professor in Engineering; Professor of Applied Physics
Weinstein, Harel The Maxwell M. Upson Professor of Physiology and Biophysics / Tri-Institutional Professor
Xu, Chunhui Associate Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics and Director of Graduate Studies