PHYS 2010 - Introductory Biological Physics

Course Description

This course introduces the use of physical methods in the study of biological systems, including macromolecules, membranes, nerves, muscle, photosynthetic systems and visual systems. The biological systems to which the methods are applied will be surveyed and current interpretations of their structure and function will be discussed. The treatment of biological phenomena will be based on physical principles with appropriate mathematics when necessary. The emphasis will be on the applications of physics in biology.

 

Teaching Pattern

  • Duration of course: about 13 weeks

  • Lecture hour(s) per week: 3

 

Content

  • Life from the Perspective of Physics 
  • What’s Inside Cells: The Structure of Biological Molecules   
  • The Structure of Biological Molecules
  • Molecular Driving Forces: Statistical Thermodynamics
  • Statistical Thermodynamics of Life
  • Biological Polymers
  • Diffusion
  • Life at Low Reynolds Number
  • Rate Equations and Dynamics in the Cell
  • Molecular Motor
  • Physical Properties of Cell Membrane
  • Physics of Neuron

 

Remarks

  • Previous Course Code(s): BIPH 2010

  • Prerequisite(s): (LIFS 1901 OR level 3 or above in HKDSE 1xBiology) AND (PHYS 1111 OR PHYS 1112 OR PHYS 1312)

 

Sample Course Outline