Biological Physics.

Catalog description

Investigation of subcellular and cellular biological systems using the fundamentals of physics. Topics will include a quantitative treatment of: the role of forces and energy in biology; thermodynamics of living systems; biopolymer, cytoskeletal and cellular mechanics; the physics of molecular motors and intracellular transport; applications of physical tools to study biological systems. Focus is on the interplay between physics and biology, and on how physical properties determine the biological function and behavior of living systems. Paired with PHYS 272. Students cannot enroll in this course if they have received credit for PHYS 272.