Introduction to biophysics 1100-1BB05
The classes "Introduction to biophysics" are conducted at a popular science level. It aims to familiarize students with the broad and complex scientific discipline of molecular biophysics. It is a mandatory course for the Biophysics major, but students of other natural sciences programs are also welcome.
This is not a systematic, course on biophysics, but rather a collection of in principle independent classes, exercises, each preceded by a lecture. They are intended to introduce students to biophysics within the context of the natural sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) and the exact sciences (mathematics, computer science, and bioinformatics) and to illustrate its interdisciplinary nature. The subjects studied by biophysics are presented, with an emphasis on molecular biophysics, as well as the environments in which these subjects operate. The Introduction to Biophysics lecture exercises prepare students for more advanced biophysics courses in subsequent years of study.At the same time, the class aims to introduce students to selected projects and scientific issues in this field, which are currently being developed in the world and in the Division of Biophysics at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw. Students interested in scientific work will have a chance to choose a topic or a project in which they will be able to participate from the first year of study.
Selected classes will feature short tests with multiple-choice questions. Students will self-check their tests, and the correctness of their answers will be discussed collaboratively.
Main fields of studies for MISMaP
physics
biotechnology
chemistry
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE
After completing the course the student:
1. Knows the basic laws and concepts as well as selected research directions of modern molecular biophysics (KW_01, KW_03).
2. Knows the selected experimental and theoretical methods used in molecular biophysics (KW_05).
3. Knows the selected applications of biophysics in biological and biomedical sciences (KW_01).
SKILLS
After completing the course the student:
1. Is able to link and interpret the molecular basis of funcioning of living organisms in an interdisciplinary langiage of physics, chemistry and biology (K_U01, K_U05).
2. Is able to critically assess the importance of scientific reports in the field of molecular biophysics (K_U09)
SOCIAL COMPETENCE
After completing the course the student:
1. Understands the value and importance of the application of methodology and concepts of physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science in biological sciences (K_K03).
2. Understands the dynamics of the development of living matter research and the resulting necessity to systematically supplement and deepen knowledge of nature (K_K01, K_K05).
3. Understands the importance of scientific reports in the field of molecular biophysics (K-K06)
Assessment criteria
Requirements for participation:
knowledge of physics, mathematics, chemistry and biology at the high school level
Number of permitted absences and the rules of absence management:
maximum three justified absences per semester
Credit conditions:
1. Colloquium in the middle of the winter and summer semesters. Passing them is the condition for admission to the exam, and poits collected are taken into account in the final grade
2. Written exam in the winter and summer exam sessions in the form of 10 open questions
3. Oral exam for all students regardless the points obtained in the written exam (form - 3 open questions)
Conditions for passing the retake exam:
1. Written exam in the form of 10 open questions
2. Oral exam for all students regardless the points obtained in the written exam (form - 3 open questions)
Bibliography
It is not obligatory; for those who are interested, we recommend the famous books on molecular biophysics and the history of discoveries in the field of molecular biophysics, for example:
1. Erwin Schrödinger, „What is life?” Cambridge University Press
2. James D. Watson „Podwójna helisa. Historia odkrycia struktury DNA” Prószyński i Spółka
3. Brenda Maddox, „The dark lady of DNA”, Harper Perennial
4. Alan Fersht, „Structure and mechanism in protein science” W.H. Freeman and Company, New York
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: