Biological and Physical Sciences.

Degree Overview

Biological and Physical Sciences (CIP 30.0101) is an integrated scientific powerhouse for students who refuse to choose between the study of living organisms and the laws of matter and energy. While a biologist focuses on life and a physicist focuses on force, professionals in this field are "Hybrid Scientists." They study biophysics, chemical biology, environmental systems, and the mathematical modeling of nature. It is a path for "interdisciplinary explorers" who recognize that the most important breakthroughs happen at the overlap of different scientific domains.

This field is ideal for "integrated thinkers"—individuals who want to use the precision of physics and chemistry to solve the mysteries of biology, such as how proteins fold, how the brain processes electricity, or how climate change alters cellular evolution.

What Is a Biological and Physical Sciences Degree?

A degree in this category is a rigorous STEM path that emphasizes cross-disciplinary fluency and experimental synthesis. You will study the "Universal Core"—calculus, organic chemistry, and classical mechanics—but your focus will be on how these forces interact. Because this is a broad major, your studies might focus on Biomedical Engineering, Molecular Biophysics, or Geochemistry. It prepares you to be a "Scientific Generalist" or a specialized researcher capable of working in high-tech labs where multiple types of science meet.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Interdisciplinary Researchers" who can lead teams of specialized biologists and physicists
• Develop experts in Biophysical Modeling, focusing on the mechanical and electrical properties of cells and tissues
• Prepare professionals for Modern Medicine, providing the heavy math and chemistry background required for high-level MD/PhD programs
• Study Environmental Dynamics, exploring the chemical and physical changes in our atmosphere and oceans

What Will You Learn?

Students learn that "all science is connected." You focus on the mathematical logic and experimental methods required to measure the physical world and the life within it.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Master Quantitative Analysis—using advanced math to describe biological growth or physical decay
• Use "Laboratory Instrumentation"—operating electron microscopes, mass spectrometers, and NMR machines
• Design Experimental Models—creating tests that account for both biological variables and physical constraints
• Perform Thermodynamic Calculations—understanding how energy is transferred within living systems and chemical reactions
• Utilize Computational Science—using software to simulate how molecules interact in three-dimensional space
• Understand Structural Biology—mapping the physical architecture of DNA, RNA, and proteins

Topics You May Explore

Coursework is a balanced blend of "hard" sciences and life sciences:

• Biophysics: The study of the physical laws governing biological processes, such as the mechanics of a heartbeat.
• Quantum Chemistry: Exploring how the behavior of subatomic particles dictates the way molecules bond.
• Evolutionary Mechanics: Using physics to understand how animal movement and structure have adapted over millions of years.
• Environmental Physics: The science of how energy, radiation, and fluids move through the Earth’s ecosystem.
• Neuro-Physics: The study of the electrical signals and physical structures of the nervous system.
• Material Science for Biotech: Creating new physical materials that can safely interact with human bone or tissue.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

Graduates find roles as researchers, consultants, and engineers in the biotech, energy, and medical sectors.

Common job roles include:

• Biophysicist: Studying the physical principles of living cells and organisms to develop new medical treatments.
• Medical Physicist: Working in hospitals to manage advanced imaging technology and radiation therapies for cancer.
• Environmental Scientist: Analyzing how physical pollutants affect the biological health of forests, rivers, and cities.
• Biotech Research Associate: Helping to engineer new drugs or synthetic fuels in high-tech corporate labs.
• Pharmacologist: Studying how chemical compounds physically interact with biological receptors in the body.
• Science Policy Advisor: Helping the government understand the intersection of technology, climate, and public health.

Where Can You Work?

These specialists are the "bridge-builders" of the scientific world:

• Research Universities and Medical Schools: Pushing the boundaries of human knowledge in integrated labs.
• Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies: Designing the next generation of life-saving medicines.
• Government Labs (NIH, EPA, NOAA): Protecting public health and the environment through rigorous data analysis.
• Aerospace and Defense: Studying how extreme physical environments (like space) affect biological systems.
• Sustainable Energy Firms: Developing "bio-fuels" or "bio-batteries" that mimic natural energy processes.

How Much Can You Earn?

Because of the heavy math and chemistry requirements, this degree leads to high-paying roles, especially for those who go on to earn a Master's or PhD.

• Biophysicists / Biochemists: Median annual salary of approximately $102,000–$140,000+.
• Medical Physicists: Salaries typically range from $130,000 to $200,000+ (often requiring specialized certification).
• Environmental Scientists: Median annual salary of around $76,000–$120,000.
• Entry-Level Lab Researchers: Often start between $58,000 and $75,000.

Is This Degree Hard?

The difficulty is in the mental flexibility required to jump between two different ways of thinking. You must be as comfortable with the "abstract math" of physics as you are with the "complex systems" of biology. It requires a highly analytical, curious, and persistent mindset—you must be okay with the fact that biological systems are often messy and unpredictable. It is a major that rewards those who are "Scientific Architects" and who find purpose in understanding the fundamental laws that make life possible.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love science but don't want to limit yourself to just one "department"
• Want to go to medical school but want a stronger background in math and physics than a typical pre-med
• Are fascinated by how machines (like an MRI or an artificial heart) interact with the human body
• Enjoy solving puzzles that require you to look at a problem from multiple angles
• Believe that the future of science lies in the "cracks" between traditional subjects

How to Prepare in High School

• Take AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics; you need all three "legs" of the stool
• Take AP Calculus BC; the "language" of the physical sciences is calculus
• Practice Scientific Writing—learn how to explain a complex physical process to someone who only understands biology
• Join a Science Olympiad team to get experience competing in diverse scientific categories
• Read about "The Double Helix" or "What is Life?" by Erwin Schrödinger to see how physics and biology first began to merge

The ability to apply physical logic and biological mastery to the complexities of the natural world is the hallmark of a successful professional in this field.