Graduate Course Atlas - Spring Semester 2008

Content:Maxwell's Equations; Variational Principles; Conservation Laws; Green's Functions; Retarded Green's Functions; Radiation-Field and Source Viewpoints; Models of Antennas; Spectral Distribution of Radiation; Cerenkov Radiation; Synchrotron Radiation; Propagation in Dielectric Media; Waveguides; Scattering by Small Obstacles; Diffraction.

Prerequisite: A good working knowledge of multi-dimensional calculus as well as basic knowledge of differential equations in higher dimensions.

Text: Classical Electrodynamics, Schwinger, DeRaad, Milton, Tsai

Content: The course focuses on how structure and dynamics at the molecular level contribute to the observed function of biological systems, with a specific emphasis on proteins. An introduction to protein structure and dynamics is given, followed by a detailed examination of specific protein systems, including those involved in solar energy conversion, visual transduction and molecular motion (motors). A parallel focus is on the physical techniques of spectroscopy and scattering that are used to obtain the molecular scale information. The physical techniques are described in the context of the problems in molecular biophysics that they have solved.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Audience: The course is intended for students in the physical, chemical or biological sciences who wish to understand fundamental molecular "operating principles" of biological systems, and specifically, proteins.

Particulars: Three take home exams; problem sets; term paper.

Text: TBA

Content: This course will cover the fundamental single-molecule techniques and illustrate how they my be used in biophysics. In particular, atomic force microscopy (static and dynamic, electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopic imaging), tethered particle motion (TPM), nano-particle manipulation (magnetic and optical tweezers), fluorescence and fluorescence resonance energy transfer microscopy will be discussed. Demonstrations of some of these techniques will be offered. Examples of the application of each of these techniques to biophysical problems will be presented and appropriate literature references will be given with the goal of emphasizing the biophysical information accessible via single-molecule experimentation. In addition, students will be encouraged to learn to read scientific articles in a critical manner. To this end, each student will be required to present an article from the literature to the class.

Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor.

Audience: Advanced undergraduates in physics, chemistry, or biology and graduate students.

Text: TBA

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)

Prerequisite: (Written Permission of Instructor Required Prior to Pre-Registration)