Biophysics

The course aims to provide a general introduction to physics as it relates to the biological sciences and to contextualize the use of modern physics concepts—through its methods and approaches—to describe biological systems and their complexity, from the molecular to the cellular scale. It is therefore essential to understand the central role that physics has played for the past century in helping us understand the principles of the organization and dynamics of living, complex matter (from the cell to populations of individuals). At the same time, it is important to recognize that biological systems represent a new opportunity for physicists to learn more about the complexity of living matter and its capacity for self-organization, regulation, and control, while also exploring new biomimetic applications.

• Apply knowledge acquired in physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, etc.) to quantitatively describe biological phenomena from the molecular to the cellular scale, and understand what a biological cell is, its molecular components, and its main functions.
• Exploring new concepts in fundamental physics: molecular switches and motors, thermodynamics of small systems, active systems, stochastic systems, control, information, evolution, ...
• To learn that the major breakthroughs in modern biology originated from and developed through the ideas and tools of physics.
• Learn the principles and experimental methods of physics used to measure the physicochemical properties of cells down to the level of individual molecules.
• To learn about the major challenges that bring together the physical, chemical, and mathematical sciences with the biological, medical, and life sciences in general.
• Learning to relate physicochemical phenomena to biological observations in vitro and in
• Begin learning the interdisciplinary language that bridges physics and biology, at the new frontiers of the physical sciences and the science of matter.
• Explore a topic of personal interest in the physics of biological matter.

CCI

CM: 9 a.m.

TD: 9 a.m.