Topics in Biophysics and Biomedical Physics. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours

Catalog description

Prerequisite: Graduate standing or consent of instructor; Topic 2 prerequisite: Completion of Topics class in Biophysical Chemistry. May be repeated for credit as topics vary. Topics may include the following: Topic 1: Biophysical Chemistry. Molecular structure of biological systems, energetics and entropy, relationship between structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids, structure prediction, role of hydration. Topic 2: Biomolecular Spectroscopy. Introduction to traditional and modern optical spectroscopic techniques to the study of biological molecules. Physical basis of absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism, and FTIR spectroscopy. Introduction to time resolved techniques (time-correlated single photon counting, transient absorption spectroscopy). Photoacoustic calorimetry, near-field scanning optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering. Topic 3: Biophotonics. Optical methodologies for imaging, diagnosis, and therapy in biology and medicine. Review of basic elements of optics and optical sources, lasers and light-emitting solid state devices, in the context of biomedical applications. Dosimetry, tissue optics, and the principles of laser-tissue interaction. Current medical uses of lasers, along with their scientific and technical foundations. Topic 4: Biomedical Physics. Use of fundamental physical laws and experimental techniques to numerous biomedical fields such as applications of lasers to ophthalmology, lithotripsy, and dentistry will be covered. Topic 5: Chemical Physics of Biophysical Processes. Transition and reaction pathways, transition state theory approach, transition path sampling approach, atomistic models of biomolecules and their visualizations, modern techniques of molecular dynamics. This course has Differential Tuition. Course Fee: GS01 $90; LRS1 $46.20; STSI $21.60.