PHYS 322 - Molecular Biophysics

Description:
Introduction to biophysics on the molecular and cellular scales. Analyzing biological systems using classical mechanics, electrostatics and statistical mechanics.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: PHYS 123 or PHYS 183 or PHYS 113 and BIOL 182 and MATH 173.

Credits: (4)

Learner Outcomes, Activities and Assessments

Learner Outcome	Activity (optional)	Assessment
Summarize and critique current biophysics review articles, to demonstrate knowledge of biophysical principles.	Students will read and discuss selected biophysical research papers, including some seminal works as well as newer results, and work in groups to interpret experimental data in these papers.	Graded case study summaries written by students working in small groups
Apply principles of classical physics to describe the physical mechanisms involved in biological systems.	“Mini-lecture” and discussion, group problem-solving, and computer-based investigation	Reading quizzes, homework, exams
Develop familiarity and facility with some commonly used analytical tools for biophysical problems: calculus techniques, computational simulations, statistical analysis of data.	Individual and group problem-solving, and computer-based investigation	Homework, exams
Communicate about a specialized interdisciplinary topic to an audience from a variety of backgrounds, including physics, biology, health sciences, and chemistry	In-class group discussions and an end-of-quarter poster presentation	Poster and oral presentation rubric