Biological Physics (U04269)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : PHY-4-Bio

There is an increased research effort in the school devoted to problems at the interface between biology and physics. There is also increasing recognition that physics can provide a very real ? and very valuable - insight into the behaviour of complex biological systems, and that a physical approach to biological problems can provide a new way of looking at the world. This course will introduce the students to the basics of biological systems, and then provide examples of how familiar physical principles (thermodynamics, statistical mechanics) underlie complex biological phenomena.

This course will introduce you to the wonders of biology: the organisms, cells, and molecules that make up the living world. We will demonstrate the power of physical concepts to understand and make powerful predictions about biological systems, from the folding of a protein into a unique three-dimensional structure within a reasonable timeframe, through the locomotion of bacterial cells, to the conduction of nerve impulses. The physical concepts will be substantially familiar, but their applications will be novel. Where possible, examples will be drawn from the recent scientific literature.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : At least 80 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q. Prior/concurrent attendance at Macromolecular Physics (PHY-4-MacrMol) is desirable.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy), (School of Physics and Astronomy, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
13/01/2009	15:00	16:00	Lecture Room 3315, JCMB	KB

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Tuesday	15:00	15:50	KB
Lecture	Friday	15:00	15:50	KB

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of the structure of cells, and the major components within a cell
2) Recognise that biological systems are far from equilibrium
3) Discuss the importance of diffusion, random walks, friction, entropy and self-assembly in biological systems
4) Discuss the importance of cooperativity in biology
5) Recognise the different approaches adopted in Biological and Physical research