Official description

This course will introduce physical principles important in the study of cellular and organismal systems. Some of the topics that will be covered are cellular and neuronal sensory transduction, homeostasis, development, and cellular and organismal behavior. The model systems used to demonstrate these topics will include bacteria, sensory neurons, C. elegans (worm), and Drosophila (fly). The relevant biology and mathematical tools will be introduced as necessary. Lectures will be paired with a literature review and a select number of papers will be discussed in class. Grading will be based on an oral presentation and a written report reviewing a current example from the literature.