Uw huidige browser heeft updates nodig. Zolang u niet update zullen bepaalde functionaliteiten op de website niet beschikbaar zijn.
Let op: het geselecteerde rooster heeft overlappende bijeenkomsten.
Volgens onze gegevens heb je nog geen vakken behaald.
Je planning is nog niet opgeslagen
Let op! Uw planning heeft vakken in dezelfde periode met overlappend timeslot
Biological Physics (2025/2026: periode 4)
Cursusdoel
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Express physical quantities with the associated uncertainty, either calculated directly or indirectly, according to the correct scientific notation
- Apply dimensional analysis to quantitatively reason about (bio)physical systems and their units
- Interpret scaling laws on a bi-logarithmic plot
- Solve quantitative (bio)physical problems by abstracting them into equations, in the context of:
- Classical mechanics, including kinematics and dynamics of a point particle
- Harmonic oscillations and oscillating biological systems
- Waves, with particular focus on electromagnetic waves in optics
- States of matter, with particular focus on biomaterials and gases
- Electromagnetism, with particular focus on bioelectricity
- Solve numerically quantitative biophysical problems using Python
- Present a scientific argument in front of peers, using the appropriate interdisciplinary terminology and evidence-based reasoning from physics, biology and computer science
Vakinhoudelijk
In this course students develop a physical understanding of biological phenomena and learn to apply the fundamental laws of physics to biological problems.
Introduction:
The structure and function of all living cells are governed by fundamental laws of physics and chemistry. Therefore, to understanding biological systems, it is critical to develop a physical understanding of natural phenomena. Physical laws, usually expressed by mathematical equations, are scientific generalizations that represent a summary description of nature. In doing so, this conceptual framework facilitates organization of observations and other data in a meaningful way and helps to identify the most critical parameters of a given process, as well as their interplay. Furthermore, it can be used to predict future outcomes when system-dependent conditions are specified. Because of the increasing use of sophisticated technology in biological experiments, it is now possible to acquire large amounts of quantitative data and to perform precise quantitative perturbation experiments. Therefore, it is necessary for all researchers in the Life Sciences to have a quantitative intuition about living systems in order to interpret data, to identify the most important aspects, and to plan critical experiments. In this course we will lay the foundation to develop such skills.
Set up of this course:
This concept-context course is structured around two weekly plenary lectures and two tutorials during which relevant biological case studies and examples are used to introduce the fundamental physical concepts essential in the study of biological phenomena. For instance, classical mechanics is applied to investigate oscillations important for the perception of sound, continuum mechanics to describe the biomechanical properties of tissues, and statistical physics to investigate random motion of molecules. Although the language of physics is mathematics, the emphasis of the course is on physics, not mathematics. Students are introduced to the fundamental tools for quantitative descriptions, study different branches of physics, and learn to apply them to biological problems. Throughout the course, students engage with the material in a diverse set of assignments and computational exercises. This learning-by-doing strategy teaches students how to use considerations based on fundamental physical principles to develop a quantitative intuition about biological systems.
Relation to other courses:
This course builds on the knowledge and skills students acquired in the course “Mathematics and Programming” (MBLS-102), expands this knowledge with an understanding of the physical laws underpinning all biological processes, and applies this to the wider context of living systems. This course provides the fundament for more advanced biological physics courses.
Teaching format course (estimation):
Lectures = 25%
Tutorials = 15% (ratio max 30/group)
Practicals (programming) = 10%
Presenting = 5%
Self study = 45%
This course is set up according to a Concept-Context teaching method. Concept-context rich education is a form of education in which subject matter (“concepts”) is offered to students in various “contexts” in order to deepen subject knowledge, enhance transfer of knowledge and skills, and building connections among subjects. Moreover, an authentic and relevant context has been shown to increase students’ motivation to learn. Lectures are alternated with tutorials.
Tutorials are led by the teaching assistants, who will show how to approach and solve quantitative problems in an interactive way. The tutorials serve to clarify any remaining questions and to initiate a curiosity-driven exploration of quantitative models.
Grading (see course manual for details):
Introduction:
The structure and function of all living cells are governed by fundamental laws of physics and chemistry. Therefore, to understanding biological systems, it is critical to develop a physical understanding of natural phenomena. Physical laws, usually expressed by mathematical equations, are scientific generalizations that represent a summary description of nature. In doing so, this conceptual framework facilitates organization of observations and other data in a meaningful way and helps to identify the most critical parameters of a given process, as well as their interplay. Furthermore, it can be used to predict future outcomes when system-dependent conditions are specified. Because of the increasing use of sophisticated technology in biological experiments, it is now possible to acquire large amounts of quantitative data and to perform precise quantitative perturbation experiments. Therefore, it is necessary for all researchers in the Life Sciences to have a quantitative intuition about living systems in order to interpret data, to identify the most important aspects, and to plan critical experiments. In this course we will lay the foundation to develop such skills.
Set up of this course:
This concept-context course is structured around two weekly plenary lectures and two tutorials during which relevant biological case studies and examples are used to introduce the fundamental physical concepts essential in the study of biological phenomena. For instance, classical mechanics is applied to investigate oscillations important for the perception of sound, continuum mechanics to describe the biomechanical properties of tissues, and statistical physics to investigate random motion of molecules. Although the language of physics is mathematics, the emphasis of the course is on physics, not mathematics. Students are introduced to the fundamental tools for quantitative descriptions, study different branches of physics, and learn to apply them to biological problems. Throughout the course, students engage with the material in a diverse set of assignments and computational exercises. This learning-by-doing strategy teaches students how to use considerations based on fundamental physical principles to develop a quantitative intuition about biological systems.
Relation to other courses:
This course builds on the knowledge and skills students acquired in the course “Mathematics and Programming” (MBLS-102), expands this knowledge with an understanding of the physical laws underpinning all biological processes, and applies this to the wider context of living systems. This course provides the fundament for more advanced biological physics courses.
Teaching format course (estimation):
Lectures = 25%
Tutorials = 15% (ratio max 30/group)
Practicals (programming) = 10%
Presenting = 5%
Self study = 45%
This course is set up according to a Concept-Context teaching method. Concept-context rich education is a form of education in which subject matter (“concepts”) is offered to students in various “contexts” in order to deepen subject knowledge, enhance transfer of knowledge and skills, and building connections among subjects. Moreover, an authentic and relevant context has been shown to increase students’ motivation to learn. Lectures are alternated with tutorials.
Tutorials are led by the teaching assistants, who will show how to approach and solve quantitative problems in an interactive way. The tutorials serve to clarify any remaining questions and to initiate a curiosity-driven exploration of quantitative models.
Grading (see course manual for details):
- First digital exam (45%)
- Second digital exam (40%)
- Group presentation of programming exercises (15%)
Werkvormen
Computerpracticum
Hoorcollege
Inzage
Presentatie
Werkcollege
Hoorcollege
Inzage
Presentatie
Werkcollege
Toetsing
Eindresultaat
Verplicht | Weging 100% | ECTS 7,5
Ingangseisen en voorkennis
Ingangseisen
Er is geen informatie over verplichte ingangseisen bekend.
Voorkennis
VWO level Physics or equivalent; Level 1 course “Math & Programming”, or demonstrable equivalent prior knowledge and skills
Voertalen
- Engels
Cursusmomenten
Gerelateerde studies
Tentamens
Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus
Verplicht materiaal
Er is geen informatie over de verplichte literatuur bekend
Aanbevolen materiaal
-
BOEKIntroductory physics for biological scientist, Christof Aegerter, 2018, Cambridge Univ. PressISBN: 9781108525862
Coördinator
| M. Locarno MSc | m.locarno@uu.nl |
Docenten
| M. Locarno MSc | m.locarno@uu.nl |
| dr. F.M. Berger | f.m.berger@uu.nl |
Inschrijving
Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.
Naar OSIRIS-inschrijvingen
Permanente link naar de cursuspagina
Laat in de Cursus-Catalogus zien
klikt, stop je een vak in je rugzak, zodat je dit vak door de rest van de CursusPlanner mee kunt nemen.