Introduction to Physical Principles in Biology

24 Jul 2023, 09:00 → 13 Sep 2023, 10:30 Europe/Berlin

SR Top Floor or CBG Auditorium TBA (CSBD)

Registration deadline: July 15

The course will take place in person

Mondays and Wednesdays

24.7.2023 – 13.9.2023 (week of 21.8.2023 skipped)

Fourteen lectures of 90-minutes each, 9:00 - 10:30 am

Course aim:

The primary goal of this course is to introduce the concepts that underlie the physical principles that are commonly encountered in different areas of modern biology. This should be considered distinct and, rather, complementary to a traditional course on biophysics. The course requires strong participant commitment and active contribution by engagement and participation during the lectures. 

Learning Goals:

• To gain a better understanding of many physical principles in biology

• To learn how physicists think about problems in physics and biology

• To become more familiar with the language and jargon of physics

Topics Covered:

1. Mathematics in Physics and Biology

2. Ensembles, Entropy, and Statistical Physics

3. Order Parameters and States of Matter

4. Emergent Material Properties

5. Elasticity and Viscoelasticity

6. Fluid Mechanics

7. Phase Transitions

8. Active Matter

9. Non-Linear Dynamics and Chaos

10. Complexity

11. Properties and Dynamics of Complex Networks

12. Practical: Topics in Solid Mechanics, Fluids, and Oenology

Register until 10 July!