Admission requirements
This course is open to all students that have been admitted to the minor ‘Quantitative Biology’.
Description
Physical underpinning of a dynamical mathematical model is essential if the model is used to interpret experimental data of the modeled biological process. In the course the fundamental physics of transport processes like diffusion, osmosis and membrane transport (e.g. facilitated diffusion) are discussed, for example notion of ‘typical time scale’ or ‘typical space scale’ for processes. Thermodynamic aspects of these processes will be touched. Also in relation to the modeling of enzyme-catalyzed chemical reactions (Principle of Detailed Balance). The validity of Mass Action Kinetics and of effective rate expressions is discussed. The electrical activity of cells, due to ion transport over membranes, is considered.
Course objectives
The students learn the basic concepts from physics that are necessary to understand transport processes and mechanical properties of biological systems. They will get to know and understand the physical assumptions that are made (often implicitly) in modeling decisions, in particular when choices are made for specific functions to represent dependences between variables in the model.
Final qualifications:
Ability to see the (implicit) physical assumptions that underlie particular mathematical expressions in models
Ability to assess the validity of effective approximations (e.g. in rate kinetics).
Understanding of physics of the basic cellular transport processes and their characteristic properties.
Timetable
The time table is provisional and provided times are indicative. A detailed final schedule will become available before the start of the minor. It is foreseen that the course runs intensively from the third week of September, until week 9 of the semester. In week 5 a break is foreseen, because of exams for the courses ‘Elementary practical biology and methods for non-biologists’ and ‘Elementary practical mathematics for non-mathematicians’. The course ends with an exam in week 10.
In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.
Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.
Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.
Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.
Mode of instruction
Lectures and exercise sessions.
Assessment method
The final grade is computed as the weighted average of the result for a computer simulation practical (20%), and the result of the written exam (80%). The result of the written retake exam replaces that of the written exam (80%) only (best result counts).
Reading list
Will be announced.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.
In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.
There are two enrolment periods per year:
Enrolment for the fall opens in July
Enrolment for the spring opens in December
See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.
Note:
It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.
Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.
Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.
Exchange and Study Abroad students: please see the Prospective students website for information on the application procedure.
Contact
Course coordinator: Dr. S.C. Hille
Email: shille@math.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
Brightspace will be used for communication and provision of course material.
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.