Official description

Life is sustained by fluxes, be it of matter, energy, or information. This foundational principle serves as the cornerstone for the graduate-level course, "Statistical Dynamics of Systems, Organisms, and Populations." In this course, students will explore the intricate interplay between biological entities and their dynamic environments, utilizing statistical tools to unravel the underlying patterns and principles governing these fluxes. The curriculum will delve into the statistical mechanics of biological systems, investigating how fluctuations and uncertainties at the molecular and cellular level cascade through organisms and populations. By combining theoretical frameworks with practical applications, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of how statistical dynamics can illuminate the emergent behaviors, adaptability, and resilience observed in living systems. Through hands-on projects and case studies, participants will gain the skills to quantify and model the high dimensionality and non-linearity inherent in biology, ultimately preparing them to contribute to advancements in fields across multiple scales from protein folding to microbial communities, from tissue formation to organismal physiology.