Universität Wien

260020 VU Biological Physics (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Th 08.05. 08:45-11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

[ATTENTION, MODIFIED on 4th March]
Please note that the very first unit ("Vorbesprechung") as well as the first lecture will be on 13.3.2025 from 8:45 until 11:15.

  • Thursday 06.03. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 13.03. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 20.03. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 27.03. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 03.04. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 10.04. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 15.05. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 22.05. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 05.06. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01
  • Thursday 12.06. 08:45 - 11:15 Seminarraum 9, Kolingasse 14-16, OG01

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course covers relevant topics in the field of Biological Physics (Biophysics). The main aim is to develop an understanding of fundamental physical principles in biologically relevant phenomena at different levels (intracellular, cellular).

We will use physical concepts such as Brownian motion, diffusion, thermodynamics, hydrodynamics, friction and elasticity to understand important intracellular processes and biophysical principles. Furthermore we will discuss basic physical principles of cell motion, such as bacterial locomotion and cancer metastasis.

The course consists of lectures and exercises, with active participation of the students.

The tentative outline is as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Biological overview („What‘s inside cells“)
3. Random Walks and diffusion
4. Hydrodynamics and cell swimming
5. Thermodynamics in cells
6. Cell mechanics and elasticity
7. Molecular biological machines and cell migration

Assessment and permitted materials

[ATTENTION, MODIFIED on 4th March]
There will be three exercise sheets, distributed during the semester, which the students should work on as a homework. The students are allowed to use any available source to solve the exercises. Most of the exercises will be calculations on paper, but a few exercises may include simple computer programming. Furthermore, there will be a written test towards the end of the semester, covering specific parts of the lectures. For the exams no resources/devices are allowed.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

[ATTENTION, MODIFIED on 4th March]
As a minimum requirement, at least 50% of the total score points from the homework and the exam must be achieved.

Homework (3x): maximum total points: 3*10=30

Test: maximum total points: 1*30

To be graded positive, a minimum of 30 points in total (sum of homework + test) is necessary.

Grades based on total points (homework+exams):

1 ("Sehr Gut"): ≥ 52.5 points
2 ("Gut"): ≥ 45 points
3 ("Befriedigend"): ≥ 37.5 points
4 ("Genügend"): ≥ 30 points
5 ("Nicht genügend"): < 30 points

Examination topics

The exercise sheets cover specific problems which are related to the content of the lectures. The exam will cover parts of the content of the lecture course and will focus on the fundamental understanding rather than on problem solving.

Reading list

The main literature for the course is the book by Philip Nelson:
Philip Nelson, Biological Physics: Energy, Information, Life. Student Edition. (2020) https://www.physics.upenn.edu/biophys/BPse/

Furthermore, additional material will be used.

Other relevant literature:

Phillips et al, Physical Biology of the Cell, Taylor & Francis Ltd. (2012)

David Boal, Mechanics of the cell, Cambridge University Press (2012)

More biological details:

Alberts et al, Molecular Biology of the cell, Norton & Company (2014)

Association in the course directory

M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B, UF MA PHYS 01a, UF MA PHYS 01b, PM-SPEC

Last modified: Tu 18.03.2025 14:26