Course info

PHYS 260/01 (Winter 2024): INTRODUCTORY BIOPHYSICS

Biophysics is the area where the problems related to structure and dynamics and functioning of biological entities are addressed using physical methods and underlying theories and models. The goal of this introductory course is to provide (or refresh) the necessary biology background and to educate physics students about the problems and methods of biophysics. Since this is a multi-disciplinary course, students from other disciplines are welcome. As a result of completing the course, students should be able to identify physical methods capable of accessing relevant information on biological objects, to describe the advantages and shortcomings of these methods, and to explain the physical models underlying them. Students also should be able to recognize, explain and apply (on a qualitative level) the relevant concepts of biology and chemistry.  Another aim of the course is to increase the comfort level physics majors have concerning biology-related issues.Prerequisites: knowledge of CEGEP-level physics, chemistry and biology

Learning outcomes

• Be familiar with the main modelling tools in cellular-scale biophysics
  • Understand the role of probabilities in biology
  • Understand how to apply a diffusional model to a biophysics problem
  • Understand how to apply an energetics model to a biophysics problem
• Be able to determine which modelling approach is most appropriate for a new problem
• Understand several quantification techniques and what they are used for
• Be able to determine which quantification technique is most appropriate for a new problem