The following are undergraduate-level courses offered by the Thomas C. Jenkins Department of Biophysics. In general, 100-level courses are introductory and advanced undergraduate students and graduate students take 300/400-level courses. 250.106/300/306 (N) Huang (1)
Introduction to Biomedical Research & Careers I, II, III
Seminar series designed for those interested in or curious about a career in biological sciences and medicine. A novel format combining lectures with "talk show" interviews gives students a broad view of different research problems, experimental approaches, and practical applications, as well as career paths. The emphasis is on the excitement of scientific explorations, rather than abundance of technical facts and figures. 250.106 is for freshmen and non-science majors; 250.300 is for sophomore, junior, and senior science majors; 250.306 is for those who have already taken 250.106 or 250.300. 250.131 (N) K. Fleming & Staff (1)
Topics in Biophysics Research
Discussion-oriented course in which the Biophysics faculty discuss their current work or contemporary areas of research in biophysics and students pursue projects related to biophysics. Open to freshmen and sophomores only. 250.265 (N) P. Fleming (3)
Bioinformatics
How to quantify comparisons in biological systems? Through lectures and labs, this course introduces bioinformatic applications and algorithms. It covers basic programming, sequence comparison, structural comparison and structural prediction. 250.326 (N) Woodson
Biological Macromolecules: Structure and Function
Discontinued. Replaced by 250.391. 250.332 (N) Staff (3)
X-ray Crystallography of Biological Molecules
Course emphasizes use of crystallography to determine atomic structure of biological macromolecules, but also covers basics such as lattices, space groups and symmetry. A text will be used. Prerequisite: elementary physics & calculus 250.345 (N) Cone (3)
Cellular and Molecular Physiology
How cells and molecules function as parts of whole organisms. Topics depend in part on student interests and will include the role of diffusion in cellular and organismic anatomy and physiology, speeds of cellular and organismic processes molecular motors, sensory mechanisms, osmosis and membranes, and virus host interactions. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 020.305. 250.351 (N) Cone, Zirkin (2)
Reproductive Physiology
This team-taught lecture course focuses on reproductive physiology and on the biochemical and molecular regulation of the female and male reproductive tracts. Topics will include the hypothalamus and pituitary, peptide and steroid hormone action, epididymis and male accessory sex organs, female reproductive tract, menstrual cycle, ovulation and gamete transport, fertilization and fertility enhancement, sexually transmitted diseases, and male and female contraceptive methods. Introductory lectures on each topic will be followed by research-oriented lectures and reading from current literature. Prerequisite: Biochemistry 020.305. 250.353 (N) P. Fleming (3)
Computational Biology
This course introduces several computational approaches to the study of biological macromolecules. Students will learn to use computational tools to analyze protein structure and to develop a basic understanding of computer programming. The focus is biological rather than mathematical and no programming experience is required. Prerequisites: Biochemistry 020.305; Organic Chemistry 030.101-201.
250.372 (N) Barrick (3)
Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry
Course provides working understanding of physical chemistry of the cell, emphasizing problem solving. Topics include classical and statistical thermodynamics, thermodynamics of proteins and nucleic acids, ligand binding thermodynics, cooperativity and anticooperativity, allosteric models, lattice statistics, helix-coil transition, polymer theory, and kinetics of biological reactions. When appropriate, students visit the laboratory to set up data collection and learn to analyze the resulting data computationally, using nonlinear least-squares methods. Prerequisite: calculus, organic chemistry, and introductory to physics 250.391 Woodson, Bowman (3)
Proteins and Nucleic Acids
Begins with a 2-week introduction to UNIX Python. Proteins as nature's molecular robots, and DNA/RNA as the genetic material. Explores the link between structure and function of biological macromolecules. Experimental and theoretical approaches to macromolecules, including modeling, simulating, and visualizing.
Prerequisite: 020.305 Biochemistry; 250.373 Biophysical Chemistry 250.401 (N) Garcia-Moreno E. (3)
Advanced Seminar in Biophysics
Topics will change from year to year. In 2006-2007 the course focused on structural and molecular virology. Topics included structural and physical aspects of viruses, replication cycles, and evolution. The discussions were focused on the structural basis of the life cycle of human pathogens such as the influenza virus and HIV. Topics chosen for theis seminar are meant to illustrate integration between the quantitative and physical approaches and contemporary biological questions. There are no formal prerequisities, but 020.305 Biochemistry yand 250.371 Introduction to Biophysical Chemistry would be helpful. 250.519-520 Barrick, Cone, García-Moreno E., Lattman, Rose, Woodson & K. Fleming (Staff up to 3 credits per semester)
Independent Study of Biophysics
Admission with permission of the staff member who is to supervise the study. 250.521-522-523 Staff (up to 3 credits per semester)
Research Problems in Biophysics
Original laboratory investigations in biophysics. Registration with consent of the faculty member who is to supervise the work. 250.531 Staff (up to 3 credits per semester)
Laboratory in Biophysics
Introduction to independent research in biophysics with emphasis on basic laboratory techniques. Individual course of study to be arranged with faculty mentor. Permission required from faculty sponsor. | 
