Northeastern University
Department of Physics

Fall 2009

          Physics 7731: Biological Physics         

 

                 DNA/protein interaction                   nuclear resonance experiment                      geminate MbO<sub>2</sub>                         
 

                   

 

General Information

 

 

Class meetings: 

10:00-11:40   MW           321 CH

Instructor: 

Office: 
Telephone: 
E-mail:
Office Hours: 

Prof.  J. Timothy Sage

106 Dana 
x2908 
jtsage@neu.edu
Monday 12-3 pm

I am generally available when I am in my office. However, you can count on finding me during "official" office hours.

Grader: 

 
E-mail: 

Weiqiao Zeng


zeng.w@neu.edu

 

 

Course Objectives

Physics has a long track record of contributions to biology. Physicists such as Francis Crick, Rosalyn Yalow, and Peter Mansfield have been awarded Nobel prizes for their contributions to the life sciences. Physical techniques, such as X-ray diffraction and magnetic resonance imaging, have become essential tools in biological and medical applications. The biological sciences are undergoing a period of rapid growth, and contributions from the physical sciences will continue to be crucial.

This course is intended to reduce the barrier that many physicists encounter when they first move into biological science. Some of you are considering pursuing thesis research in this area, and I hope that this course will help you to make an informed decision. Those of you who specialize in other areas for your Ph. D. may spend part of your later career working on biological or medical problems. 

At the end of the semester, I expect you to be able to


 

Reading

I recommend the following textbook for this class:

        Michel Daune, Molecular Biophysics: Structure in Motion, (Oxford University Press, 1999).


Although no single textbook covers the full range of topics for this course, the textbook by Daune provides the closest match in terms of level and style. I have asked the bookstore to stock this, and also requested that the library place one copy on reserve. I will distribute my own notes for some parts of the course.

Find further description of the textbook, together with additional recommendations, here. 

Assignments

Problem sets will be distributed throughout the semester (no more than once a week).

Assignment 1 (due September 17) --> tips on solution: pg1 pg2
Assignment 2 with associated structural data B423d.pdb (due September 24) --> tips on solution: pg1 pg2
Assignment 3 (due October 1) --> tips on solution: pg1
Assignment 4 (due October 8)
Assignment 5 with associated data file T4assgt.txt (due October 15) --> solution
Assignment 6 (due October 22) --> solution
Assignment 7 with associated data file butane.txt (due October 30)
Assignment 8 (due November 5) --> solution
Assignment 9 (due November 12) --> solution
Assignment 10 (due November 19) with associated data files Lovellfig7.jpg, ahelix.txt, and triAla.txt.
Assignment 11 (due November 24)

Grading


Your grade will be determined by homework problems and by two exams, with the following weights:  

 

Homework

60%

Midterm exam

20%

Final exam

20%

 

There will usually be one homework assignment each week. The midterm exam will be given in class (usual time and place) on October 26. The final exam will be given on December 15 at a time and place to be announced.


 

Course Topics


Cellular Organization and Biological Macromolecules


Basic Physics at the Cellular and Molecular Level

------->What makes "soft" matter soft?


Molecular Interactions and Macromolecular Structure

------->How do complex biomolecules self-assemble?


Physical Techniques

------->Where are the atoms, and when?


Biomolecular Dynamics

------->How does the machinery work?

The URL for this page is: http://nuweb.neu.edu/jsage/fall09/biolphys.html
page last updated Nevember 20, 2009