3 ECTS Credits — Semester 2 — Elective
Biology explores the complexity of living things. Its historically macroscopic, qualitative, and descriptive study is becoming increasingly microscopic, mechanistic, and quantitative. The development of new tools from Physics now allows biologists and biophysicists to better understand fundamental biological processes at a small scale, with precision and in a quantifiable way.
Syllabus
The Biology section outlines a number of fundamental aspects of the functioning of biological systems. Without going into detail or multiplying examples, the various courses allow students to grasp the basics of biology.
The Physics section covers four main types of methods (primarily optical) used to study living organisms at the molecular and cellular levels. Each course presents one method or a set of methods from their principle
Suggested bibliography
- Molecular Biology of the Cell, Bruce Alberts, Alexander Johnson, Julian Lewis, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter, 6th édition, 2014, Garland Science.
- Physical Biology of the Cell, Rob Philipps, Jane Kondev, Julie Theriot, Hernan Garcia, 2nd edition, 2012, CRC Press Book.
- Introduction to Optical Microscopy, Jérôme Mertz, 2019, Cambridge University Press (2nd edition).
Prerequisites
No prior knowledge of Biology is required to take this course. Basic concepts will be reviewed as needed to ensure everyone can follow the entire course. Knowledge at the undergraduate level (B2-B3) in electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetism, and physical optics (interference and diffraction) is recommended, but review will be provided if necessary.