Physics 171.310: Spring 2008
Biological Physics
Page Contents:
- Important Messages From the Professor
- Professor Contact Information
- Class Meeting Times
- Course Description
- Textbooks
- Grading, Homework and Labs
- Syllabus
- University Policies on Ethics and Disabilities
This page is the official web page and syllabus. The WEBCT page has assignments, reading, solutions, etc.. Note the final exam is Wednesday May 14 from 2-5PM in Bloomberg 278. Review sessions are planned for Monday May 12 at 4PM (Robbins) and Wednesday May 7 2PM (Zhou).
Trying to reserve 278 for both.
Contact Information
Professor
|
Teaching
Assistant
|
|
Xiaozhou Zhou |
|
|
410-516-7204 |
410-516-7206 |
|
Bloomberg 317 |
Bloomberg 467 |
|
Office Hours: M,T 1-2 |
W,Th 4-5 |
Class:
11-12 AM Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Bloomberg 278
Section: 1:30-2:20PM Thursday in Bloomberg 176. For labs, section will be extended to 3PM.
Course Description:
This course introduces topics of classical statistical mechanics through the
study of biological systems.
Additional topics include low-Reynolds number hydrodynamics and ionic
solutions, via biologically relevant examples such as diffusion, entropic forces,
self-assembly, membrane physics and nerve conduction. It is intended for
students with an interest in biological inspired physics or the biophysical or
biological sciences.
Prerequisite: Physics 171:101-102, 171:103-104
or 171.105-106; Calculus II 110.109.
Textbooks:
Required: Biological
Physics: Energy, Information, Life, 2nd Edition by Philip Nelson
Recommended: Intermediate
Physics for Medicine and Biology, 4th Edition by R. K. Hobbie
Used
Math by C. E. Swartz.
Grading:
The grading will be based on homework (25%), labs (5%), two midterms (15% each)
and the final exam (40%). If a
student's grade on the Final exam is higher than his or her average on the
midterm exams, the final exam will be counted for 55% of the grade, and the
student¹s worst midterm exam score will be dropped. It is
expected that students will attend all lectures, labs, and sections, and
complete all assignments, and exams.
“Senior Option” is not an option.
Homework:
Solving problems is the only way to learn physics. For this reason, the problem
sets are probably the most important part of the course. To get the greatest
benefit from the problems sets you should work on every problem yourself before
discussing it with others. Subsequent collaboration can be useful and
constructive, provided all parties put in equal efforts. While such
collaboration is not discouraged, the final writeup
must be your own.
Problem sets are due on the Wednesday the week after they are assigned. Late homework will be given reduced credit. No credit will be given for homework more than one week late without prior approval for a compelling reason.
Some exercises require the use of a computer. Computers and software are available in the Physics Undergraduate Computer (PUC) lab in Bloomberg. As a student in Physics 310, you are welcome to use this lab. Please see Brian Schriver in Bloomberg 366G (Dept. Office) for an application form. Mathematica will be the software of choice and you may wish to install it on your own machine. A free temporary license will be available, or it may be purchased through HITS.
There will be periodic laboratory exercises. These will be scheduled at mutually
agreed upon times. These will be of
an informal nature, but they are instructive and perhaps even fun. Attendance and participation is mandatory,
but extensive lab write-ups etc will not be required. A tentative schedule of the labs is
given below. We may have to shift
the dates of one or more lab.
Syllabus: The syllabus will be updated as the course
progresses.
|
Week of |
Subject Matter |
|
|
Jan. 28 |
Basics of probability, statistical physics |
Nelson 1,2,3 Problem set 1 |
|
Feb. 4 |
Boltzmann distribution, Brownian motion |
Nelson 3,4 |
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Feb. 11 |
Friction and Diffusion |
Nelson 4, First lab starts |
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Feb. 18 |
Life at low Reynolds number |
Nelson 5, End of first lab |
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Feb. 25 |
Low-R applications |
Nelson 5 |
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March 3 |
Statistical physics: entropy, temperature and free energy |
Nelson 6, MIDTERM MARCH 3, Second lab starts March 6 |
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March 10 |
Statistical physics continued |
Nelson 6, Second lab finishes March 12 (Wed) |
|
March 17 |
Spring Break |
|
|
March 24 |
Entropic forces |
Nelson 7 |
|
March 31 |
Chemical forces |
Nelson 7,8 |
|
April 7 |
Chemical reactions |
Nelson 8, MIDTERM APRIL 10 |
|
April 14 |
Membrane Transport |
Nelson 11 |
|
April 21 |
Ion pumping, nerve impulses |
Nelson 11-12 |
|
April 28 |
Nerve conduction: Hodgkin-Huxley model |
Nelson 12 |
|
May 14 |
Final Exam 2-5PM Wednesday May 14 |
Final Exam |
Official University
University-wide
statement on Academic Ethics
The strength of the university depends on academic and personal
integrity. In this course, you must be honest and truthful. Ethical violations
include cheating on exams, plagiarism, reuse of assignments, improper use of
the Internet and electronic devices, unauthorized collaboration, alteration of
graded assignments, forgery and falsification, lying, facilitating academic
dishonesty, and unfair competition.
As noted above, collaboration on homework sets is encouraged. However, you should attempt problems independently
before collaborating and must write up your homework independently.
Report any violations you witness to the instructor. You may consult
the associate dean of students and/or the chairman of the Ethics Board
beforehand. See the guide on "Academic Ethics for Undergraduates" and
the Ethics Board web site (http://ethics.jhu.edu/
) or http://www.advising.jhu.edu/ethics.html
for more information.
Homewood-wide
statement on Disabilities
If you are a student with a disability or believe
you might have a disability that requires accommodations, please contact Dr.
Richard Sanders, Homewood Undergraduate Disability Services Coordinator, in the
Office of Academic Advising, Garland Suite 3A, (410) 516-8216, sanders@jhu.edu
, to discuss reasonable and appropriate accommodations.
