BIOPHYSICS

 250.131 (N)

TOPICS IN BIOPHYSICS RESEARCH (1) Fleming, K.  Limit 50 Freshmen and Sophomores only  Discussion emphasized. Biophysics faculty present seminars on their current work or contemporary biophysics research.  Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory only

Sec. 01

T 4:30-6pm

250.351 (N)

REPRODUCTIVE PHYSIOLOGY (2) Zirkin/Cone   Limit 120  Prereq: 020.305
Focuses on reproductive physiology and biochemical and molecular regulation of the female and male reproductive tracts. Topics include the hypothalamus and pituitary, peptide and steroid hormone action, epididymis and male accessory sex organs, female reproductive tract, menstrual cycle, ovulation and gamete transport, fertilization and fertility enhancement, sexually transmitted diseases, and male and female contraceptive methods. Introductory lectures on each topic followed by research-oriented lectures and readings from current literature. 
Cross-listed with Biology

Sec. 01

W 3-4:45pm

250.353 (N)

COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY (3) Fleming, P.   Limit 15  Prereq: Biochemistry 020.305 and Organic Chemistry 030.205-206  This course introduces several computational approaches to the study of biological macromolecules.  Students will learn to use computational tools to analyze protein structure and dynamics and to develop a basic understanding of computer programming.  The focus is biological rather than mathematical, and no programming experience is required. 

Sec. 01

TTh 10:30-11:45

250.381 (N)

SPECTROSCOPY AND ITS APPLICATION IN BIOPHYSICAL REACTIONS (3) Lecomte/Barrick   Limit 20  Prereq: 250.372    
Continues Biophysical Chemistry (250.372). Fundamentals of quantum mechanics underlying various spectroscopies (absorbance, fluorescence, NMR); application to dynamics and  
kinetic transitions of enzymes and nucleic acids, including single-molecule analysis.

Sec. 01

TBA

250.391 (N)

INTRODUCTION TO UNIX/PYTHON & PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS (3) Woodson/Bowman/Rose   Limit 35  Prereqs: 020.305, 250.372  Basic computing for biological applications. First two weeks of class are an introduction to programming through Python.  The rest of the course is on the structure of proteins, DNA, and RNA and their functions in living systems.  Advanced lecture and discussion course, with discussion based on readings from scientific literature.

Sec. 01

TBA

250.519

INDEPENDENT STUDY

250.521

RESEARCH PROBLEMS

250.531

LABORATORY IN BIOPHYSICS
Permission from Faculty Sponsor   Introduction to Independent research in Biophysics emphasizing basic laboratory techniques. Individual study arranged with faculty mentor.

250.601

BIOPHYSICS SEMINAR Cone
Limit 80   First and Second year Graduate students only   Students and invited speakers present current biophysics topics.

Sec. 01

M 4-5

250.631

LABORATORY RESEARCH IN BIOPHYSICS Staff   Limit 20 Biophysics research training.

Sec. 01

TBA

250.673

SEMI-ANNUAL THESIS Fleming, K.  Biophysics Graduate students only Limit 20 Once each term, advanced graduate students give a 10-minute presentation of their thesis work to the departmental faculty followed by a 30-minute discussion.

Sec. 01

TBA

250.685

PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS Woodson/Bowman/Lecomte   Limit 35  Prereq: Undergraduate biochemistry and physical chemistry, or permission of the instructor   Basic computing for biological applications, with introduction to programming in Python.  The structure of proteins, DNA, and RNA and their functions in living systems.  Students are required to participate in class discussions based on readings from the primary scientific literature.

Sec. 01

TTh 10:30-11:45

50.689

PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES Garcia-Moreno  Limit 35   Introduction to the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics as applied to the study of the relationship between structure, energy dynamics, and biological function of proteins and nucleic acids. Topics include classical, chemical, and statistical thermodynamics, kinetics, theory of ligand binding, and conformational equilibria.

Sec. 01

TTh 9-10:15

250.801

DISSERTATION RESEARCH