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Master programme in Physics - Biological Physics and Computational Biology

2 years ยท 120 credits

This programme is no longer offered. For currents students, you will find suggested courses below.

If you are interested in computational biophysics, please have a look at the new master programme in Computational Science, with specialisation physics.

Master programme in Computational Science, with specialisation physics.


Information to current students

The biological physics and computational biology programme offers a wide range of courses. You should choose 15 credits of courses for each study period. All are 7.5 credits half-time courses, unless otherwise stated. Remember to check the course requirements and contact the course coordinator if in doubt.

See page about degree requirements for general requirements.

Mandatory courses for students who started in 2020 or later

  • Quantum Physics in Research and Society, FYSN21
  • Quantum Mechanics, fysn27

At least three of the five following courses:

  • Computational physics
  • Theoretical Biophysics
  • Systems Biology: Models and Computations
  • Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning
  • Statistical Mechanics

We strongly recommend getting at least 2-3 required courses done during the first autumn term.

Mandatory courses for students who started before 2020

  • Quantum Physics in Research and Society

At least three of the six following courses:

  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Electromagnetism
  • Experimental Tools
  • Optics and Optical Design
  • Computational Physics
  • Statistical Mechanics (previously FYTN02)

See Degree requirements for details.

If you have taken these courses previously, they count towards the specific requirements. If you have taken equivalent courses elsewhere, the programme coordinator will have to verify that the contents and level are equivalent. (Especially note that FYSN17 is an advanced level course, not basic quantum mechanics. If you have already taken quantum mechanics at this level, we recommend replacing FYSN17 with FYST37 Advanced Quantum Mechanics.)

Degree project

During the second year, you should do a Master's degree project corresponding to 30 ECTS credits. In some cases, 60 ECTS credits is also possible. Most students on the programme have done a FYTM03/04 project in the Computational Biology group, but other physics master's projects (for example FYSM33) are equally possible.

Read more about the degree projects on the Canvas pages: Diploma Work for Bachelor or Master of Science in Physics.

Recommended courses

Keep in mind that advanced level courses may have special admission requirements.

Some of the courses are at the basic level and often given in Swedish. Note that you are required to have at least 90 ECTS credits of advanced courses and at least 90 ECTS credits in physics to get a Master's degree in physics.

Autumn semester - first period:

  • Computational Physics (highly recommended year 1)
  • Quantum Mechanics (mandatory from 2020)
  • Quantum Physics in Research and Society (mandatory)

Autumn semester - second period:

  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Artificial Neural Networks and Deep Learning (gives sought-after skills)
  • Systems Biology: Models and Computations (even years, suitable year 2, requires FYTN03 and FYTN05 but could be taken year 1 after FYTN03 with permission)
  • Statistical Tools in Astrophysics (more widely applicable than the name suggests)
  • Classical Mechanics (odd years)
  • Biokemi - grundkurs (in Swedish, also spring 2nd)

Spring semester - first period:

  • Quantum Physics in Research and Society (mandatory)
  • Theoretical Biophysics (prerequisite for bio-oriented FYTM03/4 master projects)
  • Experimental Biophysics (15 hp, half-time, whole semester)
  • Advanced Electromagnetism

Spring semester - second period:

  • Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • Atmospheric Physics and Chemistry
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Biokemi - grundkurs (in Swedish, also autumn 2nd)
  • (Experimental Biophysics, continued)

Other courses that may also be suitable

  • Astrobiology (autumn, 2nd period)
  • Chaos, Science and Technology (autumn, 1st period)
  • Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (autumn, 1st period)
  • Mathematical Methods in Physics (autumn, 1st period)
  • Introduction to Synchrotron Radiation Based Science (autumn, 1st period)

Courses outside of physics, which may require special dispensation:

  • Programming in Python (full-time, October)
  • Bioinformatics and Sequence Analysis (full-time, September)
  • Cell Biology (Swedish, full-time, 15 hp)
  • Biophysical Chemistry (autumn, 2nd period)
  • Molecular Cell Biology (15 hp, spring)
  • Structural Biochemistry (15 hp, full-time, autumn, 2nd period)

First term courses

Normally, you apply for courses at antagning.se for the following term, with deadlines in April and October. Because of this time constraint, you are automatically accepted to a small set of courses for the first autumn term. These are currently FYSN17, FYSN21 and FYTN03 for the first study period and FYTN14, FYTN15 and ASTM21 for the second. If you are already using antagning.se, it is possible to apply for other courses as usual. It is also often possible to make late applications to courses, typically in the week before they start; ask the teacher or the director of studies if unsure.

Example plan with focus on biophysics

  • Autumn year 1: FYSN21, FYTN03 and two of FYTN14 / FYTN15 / FYTN12
  • Spring year 1: FYTN05, FYST67 and one of FYTA14 / FYST45 / FYST57
  • Autumn year 2: FYSN17, FYTN01, one of FYSN23 / ASTM29 / ASTC01 and one of FYTN14 / FYTN15 / FYTN12
  • Spring year 2: Master's project FYTM03 / FYSM33

Master programme coordinator

Biological Physics and Computational Biology

Carl Troein
carl [at] thep [dot] lu [dot] se (carl[at]thep[dot]lu[dot]se)