Biophysics is the study of biological problems through the intensive use of quantitative tools (instrumental and conceptual) typical of modern physics. The effective use of these tools requires the cultural background obtained by following the curriculum of a physics student. Examples of research in which biophysicists are actively engaged are: membrane phenomena; nerve excitation and electrical signal processing in the nervous system; structural research of complex systems (using storage loops); hemodynamics; muscle contraction, etc. Biological research is evolving toward a precise quantitative approach, and biophysicists are committed to increasing its effectiveness. For this reason, departments of biophysics have been established in many leading universities, and the International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics was founded in 1960. The difficulty of acquiring the complementary knowledge needed to become a biophysicist makes it very important to have regular intensive courses of the highest level. Courses at the International School of Biophysics will provide the up-to-date basic teachings to physicists and biologists willing to make the necessary efforts to enter their chosen field at the appropriate level. Personal contact with internationally renowned scientists and among the students themselves is an important stimulus that will have long-term beneficial effects.