At the most basic level, biomedical physics seeks to understand the role of physical processes occurring on molecular, cellular, or macroscopic scales, in vital biological functions, ranging from the extraction of oxygen from the lungs by red blood cells to the generation of complex electrical signals in the brain and nervous system. At the most practical level, biomedical physics examines how physical principles and modern instrumentation techniques can be used in a rapidly increasing number of medical applications, ranging from imaging tissue structures and organ functions, to detecting and curing diseases, to performing sophisticated surgeries. The biomedical physics major sponsored by the physics department helps students understand the interrelationships between physics, biology, and medicine, at both fundamental and practical levels.
Students acquire a strong interdisciplinary training in science.
This training combines formal classwork in physics, biology, computer science, and mathematics, with practical seminar courses in medical imaging, medical applications of lasers and optical techniques, and radiation therapy. Students have the opportunity, through Northeastern's program of cooperative education, to further their educational experience by working in various biotechnology companies, medical instrumentation companies, and local hospitals. Students also have the opportunity to participate in research projects with faculty members doing research in biophysics and biomedical-related areas. Undergraduate research fellowships awarded by the physics department are available for particularly able students. The biomedical physics major prepares students for a broad range of careers and graduate study options in biomedical-related areas.