Unit information: Biophysics 321 in 2011/12

Unit name	Biophysics 321
Unit code	PHYS31211
Credit points	10
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Nick Brook
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	The award of 120 credit points of units at level I comprising programme in Physics, Physics with Astrophysics, a joint honours programme in Mathematics and Physics or Physics and Philosophy, or a Chemical Physics programme.Students taking this unit who have not studied Biology at A-level or equivalent will be required to read the first three chapters of &�Molecular Cell Biology, Darnell, Lodish, Baltimore, Freeman and Company, New York &� and take a short on-line diagnostic test to ensure they grasp the important material that will be assumed in the course.
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit introduces physicists to the molecules of living organisms and explains how physics contributes to the molecular understanding of life processes. The focus is on three-dimensional structures and hierarchical organisation levels of bio-molecules and the physical techniques which elucidate their architecture, as well as their function. The importance of the relationship between structure and function at the single molecule level is emphasized; thermodynamic concepts are introduced to describe molecular function and pattern formation as an inherent property of complex systems is discussed.

Aims:

To introduce the molecular basis of living organisms and to the way in which physics contributes to the understanding of life processes at the molecular level. The course focuses on molecular structures and their function introducing physical techniques and concepts that enable single molecule measurements and analysis.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Possess a basic knowledge of the language used in cellular and molecular Biology as a prerequisite for interdisciplinary work.

• be able to use thermodynamic concepts used to describe molecular function,

possess a basic knowledge of concepts used to describe complex systems and the formation of patterns.

• Know how scanning or local probe techniques, such as Scanning Tunnelling,

• Atomic and Photonic Force Microscopy (STM, AFM, PFM) are used to study biological systems under physiological conditions with precision down to the level of single molecules and appreciate the advantages they provide over other techniques.

Teaching Information

Lectures, problems classes, directed reading.

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed with a 1 hour written examination (60% of the marks) and submitted course work( remaining 40%) a 3000 word essay. A structured proforma will be used to provide qualitative feedback on how well the essay topic was covered and the overall structure of the essay.

Reading and References

• Methods in Modern Biophysics, Bengt Nolting, Springer 2005 Rev.2

• Molecular Cell Biology, Darnell, Lodish, Baltimore, Freeman and Company, New York

• Scanning Probe Microscopy, Wiesendanger, Cambridge University Press