Why should a physicist study biology? As a matter of fact, they already have for quite some time. Many famous physicists, such as Richard Feynman, Wolfgang Pauli, Niels Bohr, Max Delbrück and Erwin Schrödinger, to name a few, had a deep interest in biological problems and some made substantial progress to specific fields such as molecular biology.
Biology is increasingly becoming a quantitative science and has a range of fundamentally unresolved problems at hand, e.g. how biomolecules adopt their specific shape, how they interact in cells and how cells divide and communicate. The methods of theoretical physics, among other statistical methods, modelling and simulation, can provide a powerful toolbox for approaching many of these problems.
The Department of Astronomy and Theoretical Physics offers a physics programme with specialisation in biological physics and computational biology, which combines a solid base of courses in theoretical and mathematical physics with courses in other subjects given at the relevant departments, such as physics, chemistry and biology.
As a Master's student, you will become part of a vibrant research community at the Computational Biology and Biological Physics division, engaged in cutting-edge theoretical studies of biological problems. The programme includes a Master's project carried out within one of the research groups.
Programme modules/courses
For information on specialisations and elective courses, please see www.fysik.lu.se/english/education/start-studying/masters-programme
Career prospects
A specialisation in biological physics will give you opportunities to pursue a wide variety of careers. Whereas some students go on to do a PhD in theoretical physics or computational biology, it is also possible to find suitable careers outside academia, for example in the fields of information and communication technology or biotechnology, where advanced programming and modelling is sought after.
In addition, MAX IV and the upcoming ESS laboratory in Lund will create new opportunities for graduates with a degree in physics, including biological physics and computational biology.
More information about career prospects for students at this programme can be found at www.fysik.lu.se/english/education/start-studying/masters-programme
Learn more about this programme at www.lunduniversity.lu.se/physics-biological-physics
Why Lund University?
Lund University was founded in 1666 and is one of northern Europe’s oldest, broadest and finest universities. The University ranks among the world's top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2019 and is the #1 choice for international students coming to Sweden – one of the world's most innovative, sustainable and democratic countries.
If you would like to start building your international network in a global classroom setting, Lund University is a great option. Experience a different way of learning in a country ranked as one of the best in the world at providing higher education. Group work and informal teacher-student relationships facilitate in-depth learning.
The University is located in Lund, a charming and compact university city in southern Sweden, only 35 minutes away from Copenhagen Airport in Denmark. The city is famous for its vibrant student life and is also home to many world-leading research facilities and international companies.
Learn more about Lund University at www.lunduniversity.lu.se
Program taught in:
- English
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