Applied Physics: Biomedical
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Applied Physics, with its various emphases, is an exciting and innovative new major at Bethel. Our goal is to produce graduates equipped for high-technology employment, interdisciplinary research, and graduate education in applied science and engineering.
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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.
7
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Upcoming Events
APR 6 2024
Understanding Creation: A Christian Reflection on Artificial Intelligence
8:30 a.m. Anderson Center Community Room
The annual faith/science mini-conference, co-hosted by Bethel University and Crown College, will explore a Christian perspective on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
APR 8 2024
12:45 p.m.
Come join us to watch the solar eclipse on Monday, April 8; we'll have telescopes with solar filters and eclipse glasses available for safe solar viewing.
MAY 11 2024
1:30 p.m. Brushaber Commons Atrium
Come support and celebrate our Bethel Science students! Find out about their research and internships during their presentations at our Science Research symposium.
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 '08Icing Cloud Calibration Engineer, HX5 Sierra at NASA's Glenn Research Center
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 OhProfessor and Sanford P. Bordeau Chair, University of Minnesota
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 '12Founder and CEO of Laminera
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 '13University of Minnesota
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 '06Operations Manager, Prima Power Laserdyne
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 DikkenCurrent job: CEO, MTL Corporation