Time Schedule:
Michael Schick
PHYS 428
Seattle Campus
Class description
This class will apply elementary concepts of Physics to Biological systems. Among the topics to be considered are random walks, dissipation, and diffusion, with application to membrane permeability; elementary thermodynamics with application to osmotic pressure, hydrophobic forces, the self assembly of lipids, chemical reactions, and weak solutions; electrostatics, with applications to charges on membranes and DNA, classification of amino acids, Nerst potentials, nerve impulses and the Hodgkin-Huxley mechanism; and molecular motors.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
I will lecture twice a week, and bring in local expertise from campus when appropriate. A recommended text is "Biological Physics; Energy, Information, Life" by Phil Nelson, (Freeman, 2004).
Recommended preparation
What is required is basic physics, such as Physics 121, 122, 123, some introductory thermodynamics, as one would obtain from Physics 224, for example, and some elementary mathematical physics as in Physics 227 or equivalent.
Class assignments and grading
I will give out problem sets, and each student will research and write a paper on a relevant subject of his or her choice.
Grades will be assigned on the basis of the problem sets, and on the term paper, with the latter having the largest weight.
