300008 VO Basics of biosystems theory (2012S)

The following topics will be covered: distributions, probability (Laplace's, Bayesian, frequentistic and propensity definitions),'randomness hypothesis', random sample, measures of variability (e.g., variance, coefficient of variation, moments), measurement, probability distributions, information vs. entropy - definitions and algorithms (e.g., SHANNON vs. thermodynamical definitions), central limit theorem, differential entropy, independence, mutual information, redundancy, laws of thermodynamics (in particular law 1 and 2), thermodynamical potentials (internal energy, enthalpy, free energy), closed and open systems, equlibrium vs. non-equilibrium, steady state (L. v. BERTALANFFY), catalysis and autocatalysis, dissipation, dissipative systems (PRIGOGINE), irreversibility (e.g., Dollo's principle), copying, germ line (WEISMANN), division of labor.