Special and Interdisciplinary Programs

Structural and Computational Biophysics Track

The Track in Structural and Computational Biophysics offers students the opportunity to obtain advanced degrees (Ph.D. and M.S.) through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in a traditional discipline (Physics,Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology,Biology, or Computer Science) while receiving broad training in the interdisciplinary field of Structural and Computational Biophysics. For more details see the SCB website.

Physics/Computer Science

The Departments of Physics and the Department of Computer Science offer students an opportunity to earn both the Ph.D. in Physics and the M.S. in Computer Science. Aimed principally at graduate students in physics whose research has a large computational component, this program gives students dual credit in the two departments where appropriate for expertise learned and demonstrated.

Computational physics is the fastest growing area within the discipline, and computational physicists need considerable knowledge of computer science to achieve their full potential. The training this program equips our graduates for many career options.

If you wish to apply to this program, just apply to the doctoral program in physics, and attach a note to the application or e-mail gradphy@wfu.edu indicating that you wish to apply for the combined physics/computer science degree program.

Medical Physics

There is a growing collaboration between the Physics Department and the Wake Forest School of Medicine. Several faculty researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, especially in the Medical Engineering Department, are adjunct faculty in Physics. Physics graduate students can do medically-related physics thesis research under an advisor at the Medical School.

Motion compensation for cardiac MRI is an area of active research in the laboratory of Craig Hamilton. Both the underlying principles causing motion artifacts, as well as the application of post-acquisition optimization methods to image restoration, are being studied. New methods, such as vector mean field annealing, are being used for image analysis, including artery detection and nuclear medicine image restoration.

The group is building a prototype tomosynthetic X-ray system. Research involves 3-D reconstruction and design of the X-ray and sensor system. Work is also being done in analysis of MRI and other modalities including brain segmentation tomosynthesis of the electron microscope facility. Pete Santago is investigating new methods of 3-D mammography including the use of a multisensor ultrasound unit.

In the Department of Radiation Oncology, Dan Bourland carries out research on stereotactic radiation treatment techniques, 3D dose computation by pencil beams and Monte Carlo modeling, and the use of MRI in radiation treatment planning.

For more information, contact Prof. Dan Bourland.