Welcome to Biophysics!
Biophysics is what physicists do to biology. (British Biophysical Society)
The course schedule (homework assignments, mainly) is here. Changes and additions will appear frequently, as the course shapes itself. The Test Page will contain information about tests.
instructor: Stephanie DiCenzo |
Barnes 222 | x6281 |
paraprof: Kat Baker |
Olin 259 | x6750 |
| Author | title | etc. |
| Steven Vogel | Life's Devices | Princeton University Press, 1988 |
| Howard D. Goldick | Mechanics, Heat, and the Human Body | Prentice Hall, 2001 |
Course Rules:
Class meetings will occur daily from about 9 am till about noon. Come prepared to participate; bring questions, answers, observations. We will probably have a formal series of "research" assignments, in which one or two students will volunteer to round up and bring in information relevant to the class.
Office hours seems to me to be a quaint concept. I'm usually at the ice rink at lunchtime, and usually in my office after 2 pm. I leave around 6 pm, unless the Avs have a home game. This block, they have a lot of home games (Feb 16, 18, 24, 26, Mar 1, 3, 5); those days I'll usually leave by about 4:30 pm. When I'm in my office, I have nothing better to do than to talk to you about the course, about physics, or anything else, really, so do NOT hesitate to drop in.
Homework will generally not be graded, but must be done. This is a physics course, and you won't learn anything by sitting in class or passively reading the books.
Tests will largely determine your grades. There will be two or three during the block, and then a comprehensive final. We'll discuss some grading options in class.
Prerequisites for the course don't include any previous physics or math experience. You'll learn what you need as we go along. You must have a calculator and know (eventually) how to use it.
Help is available in myriad forms. You ought all to be working together on your homework. There are tutors on duty in the physics seminar room (Barne 213) from 7 pm till 10 pm, Sunday-Thursday. And, of course, you can ask me for help, either in my office or in class; try to remember that if you're confused, you're rarely alone.
Purpose of the course is to see (some) biological phenomena through the worldview of physics. That's a broad statement, which means we will (all of us, together) decide some of the details as we go along. You need to think about this, and participate.