Physics 471E -- Advanced Topics in Physics: Biophysics -- Spring 2021
| Instructor | Renate Wackerbauer, Office Location: REIC106 phone: 474-6108 e-mail: rawackerbauer@alaska.edu |
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| Open office hours | Due
to Covid19 there are no walk-in office hours unless the situation
improves; meeting via zoom works; email is effective for
straight-forward questions. additional recitation classes can be
scheduled on request. homework questions can be discussed during/before class. |
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| Course info | Phys471E, 1 credit | ||||||
| Prerequisites | Phys220 and Phys301, or instructor's permission | ||||||
| Lectures | MWF 1 to 2pm, REIC 203 The lectures will explore in depth material presented in the text Lectures will be/start f2f; they will be recorded, uploaded to "google classroom", and shared with all students in class. Due to the fluid situation with covid, the course modality can change throughout the semester. In the case of online course delivery, lectures would be offered synchronously (tablet with whiteboard), recorded, and uploaded into google classroom. |
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| Noyes Lab | Access to the Noyes Computer Lab (REIC 101) is provided to all students enrolled in a Physics course. Your polar express card lets you in. | ||||||
| Text |
We use following text that is available through the library (some exerpts can be made available if there is a need) --Biological Physics, by Philip Nelson, Freeman and Company, 2008 other readings for interest: |
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Course Content |
Introduction into Biophysics - Biochemical reactions, transport and diffusion in cell membranes, membrane potential, neuron models, propagation of activity |
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Course Goals |
This
course provides a brief introduction into the mathematical modeling of
biological systems. We consider the generation of order in biological
systems; discuss transport at the microscopic level. Mathematical
modeling is explored in the context of a nerve membrane. |
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| Student Learning Outcomes | Students learn, *to apply physical concepts to a different scientific discipline *how to address interdisciplinary tasks with a physics background *how to model biological processes focusing on differential equations *how to simulate biological processes on a computer |
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Homework |
Homework
will be assigned about weekly and will be due by 3pm on the due dates. Late homework will not be accepted.
Finished homework should be uploaded as a pdf-file to "google classroom" |
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| Examination | A one-hour in-term final examinations will be held during the semester. The exam will be closed books and closed notes.
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| Grading | Homework: The
maximum score for each homework will be 100 points. Illegible work will not be graded.
Project: Explore the wide field of Biophysics in a project that will be presented to class in a 10 minute talk. Choose an application of a physical concept from fluid mechanics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, or quantum mechanics in the broad field of biological physics. Browsing through articles in Physics Today or books on biological physics is a good starting point to find such a project. Evaluation of the presentation Grades A - D (including +/-) are assigned equal weight for total credits between 50% and 100% (A:>87.5%, B:>75%, C>62.5%, D:>50%. For the final grade homeworks, presentation, and exam will be weighted as follows:
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| Course policies | Attendance
at lectures is expected. Active class participation, questions,
comments on newspaper articles on biological physics are extremely welcome
in the lectures. A missed exam will receive 0 credit unless the
instructor is notified by email, phone, etc before the exam starts. |
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| Student Obligations | As
students of UAF, you are bound by the policies and regulations of the
University of Alaska, UAF rules and procedures, and the Student Honor
Code. You are obligated to make yourselves familiar with all conditions
presented in the UAF Catalog. Plagiarism on homework or on an exam will result in a failing grade. Students should keep up-to-date on the university's policies, practices, and mandates related to COVID-19 by regularly checking this website: Further, students are expected to adhere to the university’s policies, practices, and mandates and are subject to disciplinary actions if they do not comply. |
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| Student protection and services statement | Every
qualified student is welcome in my classroom. As needed, I am happy to
work with you, disability services, veterans' services, rural student
services, etc. to find reasonable accommodations. Students at this
university are protected against sexual harassment and discrimination
(Title IX), and minors have additional protections. As required, if I
notice or am informed of certain types of misconduct, then I am
required to report it to the appropriate authorities. For more
information on your rights as a student and the resources available to
you to resolve problems, please go the following site:
www.uaf.edu/handbook/. UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: https://alaska.edu/nondiscrimination/. Your instructor follows the University of Alaska Fairbanks Incomplete Grade Policy: “The letter “I” (Incomplete) is a temporary grade used to indicate that the student has satisfactorily completed (C or better) the majority of work in a course but for personal reasons beyond the student’s control, such as sickness, has not been able to complete the course during the regular semester. Negligence or indifference are not acceptable reasons for an “I” grade.” Effective communication: Students who have difficulties with oral presentations and/or writing are strongly encouraged to get help from the UAF Department of Communication's Speaking Center (907-474-5470, speak@uaf.edu) and the UAF English Department's Writing Center (907-474-5314, Gruening 8th floor), and/or CTC's Learning Center (604 Barnette Street, 907-455- 2860). |