Graduate Certificate Programs in Biophysics

MIT has a vibrant community of researchers and educators in diverse areas of biophysics. MIT offers a Graduate Biophysics Certificate Program to graduate students that are already enrolled in a departmental program at MIT. The Biophysics Certificate Program seeks to foster the training of graduate students in the application of the physical sciences and engineering to fundamental biological questions at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels.

The MIT Biophysics Program spans the Schools of Science and Engineering including the Departments of Biology, Biological Engineering, Brain Cognitive Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering Computer Science, Health Sciences Technology, Materials Science Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, and Physics.

NEED for EXPERTISE: The commercial(civilian) space tourism industries, as well as the rapidly expanding federal and military aero and space initiatives are hampered by an absence of scientists, physicians, educators, and physiologists with expertise in the human challenges of the aerospace environment (hyper and hypo gravity, supersonic speeds, etc.) as well as subsequent outcomes. This creates a significant void in trained personnel a void that we in the Physiology Biophysics are uniquely poised to fill.

The Certificate in Aerospace Physiology program is offered in a synchronous, lecture small group format that is both broadcast live and asynchronously accessed from recordings over the Internet. The one exception is a 4-day residency requirement for a hands-on laboratory course scheduled over one long weekend.

All Certificate in Aerospace Physiology students must begin the program in the Fall semester. Both Full Time and Part-time study options (as few as 3-credits semester) are available. Once beginning the program, students must request a Leave of Absence from the Graduate School if they do not register for at least one 3-credit course in each Fall or Spring semester. Students are not required to take courses during the Summer semester.

Biophysics aims to prepare students for careers in the field of aerospace physiology or to enhance the backgrounds of those who are already working in these fields so that they can be effective in fulfilling their responsibilities. Students will gain competency in the characteristics of the atmosphere, acceleration, spatial disorientation, and the physiology of decompression, ther gulation, hypobarics, respiration, and cardiovascular function.

(3) A Personal Statement demonstrating interest in the field and outlining how obtaining the Certificate in Aerospace Physiology will advance their career goals.

Laboratory Research Rotation: Aerospace Physiology (PHOL 423): 3 credit hours requires 4-day on-campus residency.

Graduates will demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge of human physiology and cognitive responses during exposure to extreme environments, as well as a proficiency in implementing strategies that confer resilience and optimal human performance in those environments. This will be measured as successful completion of 15 credits of coursework with a final cumulative GPA greater than 3.0 successful passing score on two Aerospace Physiology courses (PHOL 421 + PHOL 422), and active participation in Aerospace Physiology Journal Club each Fall and Spring semester of course enrollment.

Approved Elective Courses.

Biophysics Seminars 1 credit.

Scientific Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research 1 credit, covers NIH-required material for graduate trainees.

Classroom Training in Responsible Conduct of Research 1 credit, covers NIH-required material for graduate trainees and postdoctoral trainees.

Intermediate Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to graduate students.

Polymer Chemistry 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to graduate students.

Polymer Engineering 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to graduate students.

Functional Materials Chemistry 3 credits. Prerequisites: Introductory course in materials or organic chemistry.

Nanomaterials 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to graduate students.

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology 3 credits. Prerequisites: graduate standing.

Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to College of Engineering graduate students.

Biological Electron Microscopy 3 credits.

Biology and Biophysics of the Membrane 3 credits.

Methods of Engineering Analysis I 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to any College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate students.

Materials Chemistry and Structures 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to any College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate students.

Materials Thermodynamics and Kinetics 3 credits. Prerequisites: restricted to graduate students only.

Intermediate Mathematical Physics I 3 credits.

Intermediate Mathematical Physics II 3 credits.

Introduction to Biophysics 3 credits. Recommended prerequisite: PHYS 4230.

Soften Condensed Matter Physics 3 credits. Prerequisite: restricted to graduate students only.