PHYS 498 BIO

Subject offerings of new and developing areas of knowledge in physics intended to augment the existing curriculum. See Class Schedule or departmental course information for topics and prerequisites. Course Information: May be repeated in the same or separate terms if topics vary.

INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGICAL PHYSICS. We will apply simple yet powerful ideas of physics to gain some understanding of biology. (What is the inertia of a bacteria and how does this affect its behavior?) We will begin with atoms, move to molecules, then macromolecules, then cells, and finally whole systems. For example, how do we see? The answer: photons cause the release of chemicals that create electricity. How do we move? The answer: tiny biomolecular motors break chemical bonds, using the energy to create force and motion with efficiencies that put man-made machines to shame. These motors, and indeed, much of biology at the molecular level, operate at the nanometer (one-billionth of a meter) and picoNewton (1 trillionth of a pound) scales. How can we measure such tiny things? Come find out! Prerequisite: PHYS 211-212-213 sequence or consent of instructor. No prior biology knowledge or prerequisites, since the course includes a molecular biology primer.