2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
PHYS5530M Physics of Biological Systems
15 creditsClass Size: 50
Module manager: Dr Ralf Richter
Email: R.Richter@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisite qualifications
Level 3 physics or equivalentThis 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
On completion of this module students should:
1. Have gained/updated basic knowledge of biological systems;
2. Understand some main techniques for characterising the physical properties and behaviour of biological systems;
3. Understand where and how physics concepts are important in biology;
4. Be able to apply physics concepts to other biological systems and for applications in biomedicine, biomaterials and biotechnology;
5. Have developed skills to critically analyse research in this field.
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 classOpportunities 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 | 30.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 30.00 |
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 00 mins | 70.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 70.00 |
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. Students must submit a serious attempt at all assessments for this module, in order to pass the module overall.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 29/04/2022 15:31:39
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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