Admission Requirements
The Biophysics course is intended for BSc, MSc and PhD students. The course complements the material covered in the Physics of Life Processes in the BSc Physics program. Prior knowledge in (bio)physics and/or completion of the latter is not strictly required to participate. Yet, you should have some proficiency in statistical physics, and have some basic knowledge in biology.
Description
During this course you will obtain an understanding of the principles underlying a diverse selection of modern biological physics. Introductory lectures are combined with presentations by yourself on contemporary literature that relates to the topics in the syllabus. The final assignment is a written proposal on a topic chosen by you.
Topics covered: * Protein folding * Molecular motors * Biomembranes * Cellmechanics * Gene regulation * Self-organized systems and pattern formation
Course objectives
You will be able to explain the physical principles underlying the many facets of modern biological physics, as well as an appreciation of their biological context. You will put extra emphasis on the analysis of experimental techniques and their results. In the proposal, you will be able to demonstrate command of the topic, as chosen from a list of relevant topics and complemented with recent literature. You will be able to formulate your research idea to a scientific audience.
Transferable skills
You will learn how to efficiently read and interpret relevant scientific literature and to relate this to a theoretical framework. You will present biophysical topics to peers, participate in critical discussions about scientific papers and relate the results to topics discussed in the syllabus. You will make exercises to address problems from a biological context using physical, mechanistic models and quantitative data analysis.
Timetable
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
Zie Brightspace
Assessment method
The grade will be based on homework (30%) and an assay (70%) to be written on a topic provided (deadline end of January). BSc students will write a literature review, MSc students a research proposal. Regular participation and own presentations are required.
Reading list
Syllabus and additional readings provided on Brightspace.
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.
Contact
Lecturers Prof.dr.ir.S.John van Noort Prof.dr.Thomas Schmidt
Remarks
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.