Undergraduate Courses 2016-17

This course introduces the use of physical methods in the study of biological systems, including macromolecules, membranes, nerves, muscle, photosynthetic systems and visual systems. The biological systems to which the methods are applied will be surveyed and current interpretations of their structure and function will be discussed. The treatment of biological phenomena will be based on physical principles with appropriate mathematics when necessary. The emphasis will be on the applications of physics in biology.

Biological physics involves the application of physics to achieve an understanding of life processes. This is the second of a two-course series that will prepare advanced undergraduates for research and technical work in Biological physics. It covers advanced biological physics such as molecular and cellular biological physics, photophysics, single-molecule biophysics, medical biophysics, membrane biological physics, neurobiophysics, biostatistics, biomathematics, bioinformatics, computational biology and protein engineering. At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to critically assess primary research literature written for a general scientific audience. They will also be prepared for mentored practical research investigations or professional job related to biological physics.

This course aims to provide a general understanding of modern instruments used in biological research with special emphasis on bright-field and fluorescence light microscopes, electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography, NMR, MRI, mass spectrometer, and electrophysiology. The approach is a practical one geared to students who are or will be using these instruments in research. The course consists of both lectures and demonstration. During the lectures, students learn basic principles of biological instrumentation and the performance of the instruments. In the demonstration, students apply the understanding gained during the lectures and learn how the instrumentation is used to address biological questions.