Loading Gallery...

Why should I study applied physics with a biomedical emphasis?

Because physics is the foundation for virtually all technology, it's not surprising that the rapidly emerging and diverse fields of biotechnology lean heavily on a knowledge of basic physics. The Biomedical emphasis within the B.S. in Applied Physics is designed to provide students with not only a strong background in physics, but also experience using physics in a lab setting. The major also incorporates key courses in biology, where students learn about physiology, anatomy, and cellular biology. As a result, students are particularly prepared for careers in biotechnical fields.

What can I do with this degree?

A B.S. in Applied Physics with a Biomedical emphasis provides excellent preparation for graduate work in medical physics, biomedical engineering, or medical school. Our students have gone on to receive doctorates in medical physics from schools like the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. Some alumni do research with MRI, tracing the path of antioxidants and vitamins through the brain—research that is proving valuable in the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. Others have worked on improving artificial knee joints and legs. Still others have developed the first wireless controls for artificial hearts.

The Twin Cities is a key location for many of the largest biotechnology companies in the world, such as 3M, Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and St. Jude Medical. At the same time there are almost countless smaller, startup biotech companies in the area. For example, MTL in Bloomington has hired more than a half-dozen of our physics students in the last several years.

What unique experiences or opportunities will I have?

There are many aspects of physics that contribute directly to biotechnology. One example is the use of lasers and optics, and Bethel’s Physics and Engineering Department has outstanding laboratory facilities in this area. Another important area of medical physics is nanotechnology. The department has a NanoLab equipped with a modern Scanning Electron Microscope, a Force Probe Microscope, and a standard, research-grade Optical Microscope. These instruments are all used by Bethel students as they push nanotechnology forward—publishing and presenting papers at national, professional conferences and frequently winning awards. Examples of nanotech medical applications include sensors that are small enough to embed in the wall of a human heart, a “nano-nose” that can sniff out and determine minute quantities of various gasses, and a “lab-on-a-chip” that can give full blood work results almost instantly from only a drop of blood.

Mayo Clinic is a good example of a source of external opportunities for our student. Bethel has had multiple physics students participate in internship programs at Mayo Clinic, graduates in grad school at Mayo Clinic, and a former student doing her post-doctorate at Mayo. Bethel also is a participating institution with the Mayo Innovation Scholars Program with Minnesota Private Colleges. The program joins undergraduate students in sciences and business with MBA students to research and prepare a presentation on a specific project under consideration by the Mayo Ventures. 

Recent News

Travis Sinclair ’22 Looks to Break New Ground for Bethel in the NFL

April 11, 2023 | 10:30 a.m.

Upcoming Events

OCT 3 2023

Physics & Engineering Department Seminar

3:30 p.m. Barnes Academic Center - Room 264

Come hear about what’s going on in the Bethel University Physics & Engineering department!

OCT 10 2023

STEM Employer Showcase 2023

6 p.m. Boardroom

Come to learn about STEM job and internship opportunities!

OCT 14 2023

Solar Eclipse Viewing Event

10:30 a.m.

Come join us to watch the partial solar eclipse on Saturday, October 14; we'll have telescopes with solar filters and eclipse glasses available for safe solar viewing.

OCT 17 2023

Physics & Engineering Department Seminar

3:30 p.m. Barnes Academic Center - Room 264

Come hear about what’s going on in the Bethel University Physics & Engineering department!

Since 2007, I've had the privilege of advising six Bethel students in our Ph.D. program at the University of Minnesota. They are smart, hard-working, creative, and possess unusually broad and sophisticated skills in experimental physics and optics.

Sang-Hyun Oh
Professor and Sanford P. Bordeau Chair, University of Minnesota

The strong foundation I was given by Bethel's physics department provided me with all the tools I needed to succeed in my graduate school career in electrical and biomedical engineering.

Daniel Klemme '13
University of Minnesota

Bethel’s Physics alumni now make up a strong core of our measurement and automation team. Beyond their obvious technical abilities, they demonstrate the character of Christ in their endeavors, which above all is valued. I wish to express my gratitude for your teaching and referrals of such excellent people.

David Dikken
Current job: CEO, MTL Corporation

The beauty of physics-based education is that it forces the student to learn how to think, to understand, and to solve problems. I don't believe a career exists in which the ability to solve problems effectively is not one of the most valuable assets a person can have. If this is true, then studying physics is one of the best ways to prepare for ANY career, technical or not.

Aaron Montello '06
Operations Manager, Prima Power Laserdyne

Bethel served as a launchpad for me to eventually discover my purpose in Jesus' kingdom, which includes my career as a budding entrepreneur founding Laminera, as well as how I've evolved in my faith and integrated the two.

Lauren Otto '12
Founder and CEO of Laminera

People get the idea that Christianity is anti-science, when that is not true at all. As a Christian physicist, my job is an opportunity to discover the amazing mind of God and how He so intricately orchestrated the universe to work-and also made it so that we could discover it for ourselves.

Laura King-Steen '08
Icing Cloud Calibration Engineer, HX5 Sierra at NASA's Glenn Research Center