Biological Physics
Supramolecular Structures Lab
Lösche Group
Introduction to Biological Physics
Course IDs: 33-441 / 03-439
credit points: 10 / 9
Course Meeting Times
Tuesdays, Thursdays: 15:00 – 16:20, WeH 7316
Consultation Hours
Thursdays: 8:00 – 10:00, or by appointment (Donna, 8-8367)
Course Assistance
Matteo Broccio, WeH 6315, 8-2729, mbroccio@andrew.cmu.edu
office hours: Wednesdays, 15:00 – 17:00
Course Objectives
This intermediate level course is primarily offered to Physics and Biology undergrads (junior / senior) and provides a modern view of molecular and cellular biology as seen from the perspective of physics, and quantified through the analytical tools of physics. This course will not review experimental biophysical techniques (which are covered, e.g., in 03-871). Rather, physicists will learn what sets “bio” apart from the remainder of the Physics world and how the apparent dilemma that the existence of life represents to classical thermodynamics is reconciled. They also will learn the nomenclature used in molecular biology. In turn, biologists will obtain (a glimpse of) what quantitative tools can achieve beyond the mere collecting and archiving of facts in a universe of observations: By devising models, non-obvious quantitative predictions are derived which can be experimentally tested and may lead to threads that connect vastly different, apparently unrelated phenomena. One major goal is then to merge the two areas, physics and biology, in a unified perspective.
Grading
Problem sets (30%), in-class exams (40%), final exam (30%)
Exam Schedule
in-class exams:
exam I: October 29 – WeH 7316
exam II: November 19 – WeH 7316
final exam:
December 07, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., location: TBA
download area
announcements
Mid-term in-class exams have been scheduled Oct-29 and Nov-19. Please save these dates!
homework
homework 1 (due Sept-10) – solutions
homework 2 (due Sept-17) – solutions
homework 3 (due Sept-24) – solutions
homework 4 (due Oct-01) – solutions
homework 5 (due Oct-08) – solutions
homework 6 (due Oct-15) – solutions
homework 7 (due Oct-22) – solutions
homework 8 (due Nov-05) – solutions
homework 9 (due Nov-12) – solutions
homework 10 (due Dec-03)
lecture notes
chapters 1–2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8 (as covered by Nov-05)
classroom graphics and illustrations
chapters 1–2
chapter 3
chapter 4
chapter 5
chapter 6
chapter 7
chapter 8 (as covered by Nov-05)