Training
Training Overview
We provide our trainees with a rigorous grounding in the basic principles of molecular and thermodynamic descriptions of macromolecules through the 650 series of three intense, 1 credit modules taken by all trainees. Beyond that, trainees choose from modules that teach the fundamentals of different methods for investigating the structure and function of macromolecules. These allow trainees to establish a solid theoretical and practical (some have both lab and lecture components) background in the particular areas of Biophysics relevant to their individual training goals.
Research Rotations performed during the first year of training provides trainees opportunities both to obtain additional practical experience and to identify potential laboratories for their thesis research.
Trainees have the opportunity to present a poster at the Carolina Biophysics Symposium. A central goal of the symposium is to bring together North Carolina Biophysicists and the meeting is organized and sponsored by North Carolina colleges.
Finally, our Training Program prepares trainees to be successful in the highly collaborative atmosphere of modern bioscience. All our courses are organized into Work Groups in which trainees do assignments in a collaborative fashion. This encourages trainees from diverse basic disciplines (cell biology to physics) to work together and learn from each other as well as attack problems in an interdisciplinary fashion. Our seminar course not only introduces trainees to research that spans the broad range of modern biophysics, but also helps them develop the oral communication skills critical to their professional success.
Requirements for Certificate in Biophysics
- BIOC 650 (1 credit)
- BIOC 651 (1credit)
- BIOC 652 (1credit)
- BIOC 662 Macromolecular Interactions or BIOC 670 Structural Bioinformatics (1 credit) (not required for students matriculating before fall 2023)
- Three additional Biophysics “Method Modules” (1 credit each)
- BIOC 704 Seminar Class (2 credits)
- BIOC 710 or a similar class from another department – Scientific Communication (2 credits)
- BIOC 716 Biophysics Colloquium
- BBSP 705 Rigor and Reproducibillity (1 credit) (1st year)
- BCB 888/BIOC 888 – Responsible conduct of research (1 credit): This is for senior graduate students, generally 4th year in spring.