Welcome to BioMedPhys!
If you like biology and physics, then you're in a program that blends the best of both worlds. Some students come to BioMedPhys because they want to understand the building blocks of life. Others are drawn to the challenge of applying physics to solve problems in human health and disease. No matter what brought you here, your curiosity and drive to understand the world at a deeper level as a physicist will serve you well.
Biological physics, also known as biophysics, is about exploring how living systems work - not just observing them, but asking why they work the way they do. It takes the tools and principles of physics and applies them to biology, helping us understand how proteins fold, how the heart pumps blood, and how plants capture sunlight. Biophysics is what connects the nanoscale to the macroscale, building a bridge between the physical laws of nature and the complexity of living things.
Medical physics focuses on applying physics to improve human health. It's about developing precise imaging technologies, improving diagnostic tools, and designing safe and effective ways to treat human disease. Medical physicists work closely with healthcare teams to ensure patients receive the most accurate diagnoses and the best possible care, grounded in innovative science.
While each field has its own focus, both require a solid foundation in core physics principles. In this program, you'll learn the same equations, theories and problem-solving skills as all of our physicists, but be able to apply those skills to living systems in specialized courses. This page is your hub for resources, contacts and guidance as you move through the BioMedPhys program.
Useful Links
General Advising Questions?
Looking for help with the following? Our full-time academic advisors can help! Please reach out to Heather and Maya on our General Advising page.
- Courses: Offerings, Selection, Enrolment, Overrides
- Academic Progression: Standings, Degree Checks
- Program: Plan Modifications, Work-Study Sequence Changes
- Administration: Important Dates, Administrative Procedures
- University Resource Awareness: Student Success, Counselling Referrals, Finances, etc.
Your Program-Specific Academic Advisor
Your Faculty Advisor can help with program-specific guidance, course and research advice, and academic/career pathways in your journey at UWaterloo.
Contact Dr. Lee if you would like academic support in the following plans:
- Biological & Medical Physics Major
- Life Physics Major and Life Physics Specializations
- Biophysics Minor
Dr. Brenda Lee
Available for in-person and virtual appointments upon request
Office: PHY 366
Email Dr. Lee at:
brenda.lee@uwaterloo.ca
Specialized Courses in BioMedPhys
In addition to core science requirements, our BioMedPhys program offers specialized courses that highlight how physics is applied to living systems and healthcare.
Career Pathways
Depending on where your interests lie, here are some suggested courses that can help you prepare for different career directions, selected by your program advisor.
Biophysics: Highly recommend taking PHYS 249 and PHYS 267 to build your Python programming skills alongside linear algebra, statistics and data analysis.
Medical Physics: Take PHYS 383 and PHYS 483 for medical physics background as well as PHYS 249 and PHYS 267 to build your Python programming skills. Complete your physics degree and if you are interested in becoming a licensed medical physicist, you will need to complete a CAMPEP accredited graduate program. Talk to your advisor for more information.
Astrophysics: Many students are interested in pursuing astrophysics courses during their BioMedPhys journey. Take enough electives like PHYS 175, PHYS 275, PHYS 375, and PHYS 474 - and it can lead you to an Astrophysics Minor!
Computational Biology: Complement your computational physics courses with electives such as BIOL 266 (Computational Biology), BIOL 365 (Bioinformatics). This could lead to a Bioinformatics Option if planned carefully with CS courses.
Neuroscience: If interested in this topic, courses like BIOL 376 and BIOL 476 are achievable with careful planning of prerequisite courses.
Get Involved: Join the BioMedPhys Community
Being part of BioMedPhys at UWaterloo means more than just coursework. It's also about engaging with peers, researchers and professional networks that will shape your academic journey and career path. Here are some ways to boost your connections:
- Departmental Student Representative: Share your voice and represent your peers in our official student rep role. Open to all years, this role involves surveys, town halls and being an official liaison between students and the department on all matters such as co-op opportunities, courses, and support systems. To learn more, watch for announcements or email phyugrad@uwaterloo.ca.
- Campus Clubs: Although our department is affiliated with FemPhys (promotion of inclusiviety, equity and community in physics), PhysClub (social hub for physics students) and MNS Society (for Materials and Nanosciences students), there are many clubs one can join from WUSA.
- Biophysical Society of Canada (BSC): With free membership for undergraduates, the BSC offers access to trainee resources, job boards and networking opportunities with biophysics researchers across Canada. Students can also join the Trainee Executive for leadership experience.
- Canadian Organization of Medical Physicists (COMP): This paid student membership allows you to connect with practicing medical physicists, participate in COMP committees and engage through their Student Council and Annual Scientific Meeting. Students can build their network if interested in going into the medical physics field.