Course Identification

Mathematical models can explain observations and offer mechanistic insight pertaining to
complex phenomena. This course will provide a model-based introduction to biological physics.
Topics that commonly arise in modeling biological phenomena include non-linear dynamics and
stochastic processes. Students will acquire an introductory level familiarity with topics, as well
as with fundamental concepts in biology. Specific topics will be introduced through relevant
models of biological phenomenon and the students will learn to analyze such models and
assess their performance and predictive power under various conditions. Examples may widely
vary in scale, ranging from populations to cells and molecules.

We will address a wide variety of questions and subjects such as:

Upon successful completion of the course the students will:

• Be acquainted with some of the major experimental and theoretical works in the field of biological physics.
• Further obtain general knowledge of the main mathematical and physics methodologies that were applied to biological systems to date. Examples will touch on varoius subjects such as:: Statistical mechanics, phase transitions, Boltzmann distribution, The central dogma of biology The central dogma of biology, statistical noise and robustness,  Stochastic processes, Random Walks and diffusion, Non linear dynamics, quick primers, explanatory power, Information theory.