2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHAS5510M Physics of Biological Systems

15 creditsClass Size: 100

Module manager: Dr Ralf Richter
Email: R.Richter@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Level 3 physics or equivalent

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module illustrates through a set of examples at the forefront of the discipline how concepts from physics help understand how biological systems function.The range of systems sizes covered spans from molecules and their nanoscale assemblies to cells and tissues. These will be introduced at a level necessary to reveal salient physical phenomena at play, and experimental techniques will be presented to analyse their physical properties. Wherever possible the physics of the systems will be treated quantitatively making use of mathematical techniques and physics concepts acquired in foundational physics courses.

Objectives

Provide students with the opportunity to consolidate their physics curriculum by applying physics knowledge to the study and mechanistic understanding of biological systems. Such education is relevant to a wide range of areas such as understanding disease, diagnostics, analytical techniques, new materials and devices, and energy.

Learning outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application of:

1. Self-assembly and properties of soft biological matter
2. Mechanics across multiple length scales, from molecules to cells to tissues
3. Selectivity and recognition in biological systems
4. Movement, signals and noise in biological systems
5. Chlorophyll photophysics and solar energy capture
6. Biophysics of light harvesting proteins and membranes

Skills outcomes
• Applying physics to biology, and for applications in biomedicine, biomaterials and biotechnology

Syllabus

• Self-assembly and properties of soft biological matter
• Mechanics across multiple length scales, from molecules to cells to tissues
• Selectivity and recognition in biological systems
• Movement in biological systems
• Signals and noise in biological systems
• Chlorophyll photophysics and solar energy capture
• Biophysics of light harvesting proteins and membranes

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Workshop	6	1.00	6.00
Lecture	19	1.00	19.00
Private study hours			125.00
Total Contact hours			25.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Background reading and research, preparation of responses to question sheets for discussion in class

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Regular question sheets, group-worked examples for discussion in class.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
In-course MCQ	Regular MCQ/SATA questions	20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		20.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	2 hr 30 mins	80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		80.00

Students will have to complete an in-person exam at the end of the module. This will take place during the examinations period at the end of the semester and will be time bound. Resits will be in the standard exam format.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 25/03/2024 15:09:30

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