Course: Biophysics

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Course title Biophysics
Course code KCH/BFY
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 6
Language of instruction Czech, English
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements Course does not contain work placement
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Lukáš David, prof. RNDr. CSc.
Course content
Lectures: Topic 1 - Physical view of life and living organisms (self-study according to [1]) 1. Molecular basis of living organisms and model organisms. 2. Models of biological systems. 3. Structure of cells and organisms. 4. Time scales of biological processes. Topic 2 - Equilibrium states in living organisms 5. Mechanical and chemical equilibria in living organisms. 6. Laws of entropy. 7. Two-state biological systems - ion channels and binding between receptors and ligands. 8. Structure of macromolecules, random walks and diffusion. Topic 3 - Dynamic biological phenomena 9. Dynamic properties of aquatic environment in living organisms. 10. Statistics of biological dynamic phenomena. 11. Life processes in dense disordered systems. 12. Dynamics of molecular engines. Topic 4 - Organization in living organisms 13. Organization of biological networks. 14. Spatial and temporal arrangement of biological systems. Written work and exercises: The lectures will be practiced at seminars.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monological explanation (lecture, presentation,briefing), Self-study (text study, reading, problematic tasks, practical tasks, experiments, research, written assignments), Seminár, Students' self-study
  • Class attendance - 56 hours per semester
  • Preparation for formative assessments - 10 hours per semester
  • Preparation for exam - 80 hours per semester
  • Semestral paper - 40 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
Learning outcomes of the course unit The aim of the course is to acquaint and acquire basic physical patterns of biological phenomena.
To explain and deduce basic knowledge on field, including simpler problem solving.
Prerequisites
knowledge of high school physics and biology

Assessment methods and criteria
Combined examination, Written assignment, Test

During the study students will write a written work on a given topic and will prepare two control tests for which credit will be given. The exam consists of a written and an oral part.
Recommended literature
  • BIALEK W. Biophysics: Searching for Principles.. 1st edition. Princeton: Princeton University Press., 2012. ISBN 9780691138916.
  • PHILLIPS R. KONDEV J. THERIOT J. GARCIA H. Physical Biology of the Cell. 2nd edition, New York: Garland Science, 2013. ISBN 9780815344506.
  • RUBIN A. B. Compendium of Biophysics. 1st edition, Hoboken: Wiley-Scrivener, 2017. ISBN 9781119160250.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester