Biophysics

Diploma(s)
Place
ENS-PSL
Fall semester
Level Master 1 3 ECTS - English
Instructor(s) Thierry Mora ( ENS-PSL CNRS )
Teaching Assistant Daniel AMOR
Education office

The course provides an introduction to the physics of living systems.

The goal is to show what and how physics can contribute to the understanding of biological systems and, vice versa, to show that living systems provide a goldmine of fascinating and relevant problems that, more often than not, require more than just a mere application of existing physics. 

Programme

Lectures try to combine in-depth analysis of a given topic and breadth of coverage of different ones by having a selection of modules discussed yearly from the below list :

  1. Biological oscillations and synchronization
  2. Evolution and population dynamics
  3. Information theory in neuro-biology
  4. Life and motion at low Reynolds numbers
  5. Pattern-formation phenomena in living systems
  6. Stochastic effects in cellular dynamics, residence and exit times methods
  7. Waves in biological systems
Evaluation

The final grade will combine a 50% contribution from the final oral examination; 30% homework distributed throughout the course; 20% (10+10) for participation to classes and TAs.

Prerequisites

The course is an introduction to biophysics and no specific prerequisite is requested