Biophysics can be generally defined as the study of biological systems from the perspective of the physical sciences. This is the field of science that explains how physical phenomena like mechanics electricity, magnetism, light, heat, and nuclear radiation affect/account for the structure and the function of biological systems.

The study of biophysics is more than just learning a collection of facts. This discipline trains you to think through problems like a physical scientist, that is, to devise theoretical constructs that piece together what seems like many disconnected facts. It teaches you the discipline to ask yourself routinely "Does this hypothesis make sense given from what is known about the dynamics of this biological system? Can I make a theoretical prediction based on exact physical principles?" This attitude is becoming increasingly important in the biological sciences as the field attempts to deal with the overwhelming amount of microscopic information derived from advanced scientific instrumentation.

The medical field has long recognized that a broad strength in science is a necessary foundation for a successful medical career. This recognition is reflected in the widely used entrance test for medical schools (the MCAT) where students are tested not only on biological concepts but also equally on chemistry (including organic chemistry) and physics (including modern physics). All these subjects are covered in a biophysics major. Furthermore, some medical schools are now changing their medical programs by emphasizing the same discovery and think-through approach to learning Medicine.

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