Life Physics

The course aims to give a first general introduction of physics to the biological sciences and to put in context the use of modern physics concepts, methods and approaches to describe biological systems and their complexity from the molecular to the cellular scale. It is thus necessary to understand the central role of physics for a century now to learn today the principles of organization and dynamics of living and complex matter (from the cell to populations of individuals). At the same time it is necessary to understand 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 with a view also to new biomimetic applications.

• Apply the knowledge acquired in physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, ...) in order to describe biological phenomena from the molecular to the cellular scale in a quantitative way, understand what is a biological cell, its molecular components and its main functions.
• Study new concepts for fundamental physics: molecular switches and motors, thermodynamics of small systems, active systems, stochastic systems, regulation, information, evolution, ...
• To learn that the great achievements of modern biology had an origin and a development by ideas and tools of physics.
• Learn the principles and experimental methods of physics used to measure the physicochemical properties of cells down to the individual molecule scale.
• Learn about the major challenges that bring together the physical-chemical-mathematical sciences and the biological, medical and life sciences in general.
• Learn to relate physico-chemical phenomena to biological observations in vitro and in
• Begin to learn the interdisciplinary language between physics and biology, at the new frontiers of physical and material sciences.
• Explore a topic of personal interest in the physics of biological matter.

CCI

CM : 9 h

TD : 9 h