Analysis of Biological Systems

Graduate / Professional

Biology is undergoing a rapid evolution from descriptive and largely qualitative science to data-rich and quantitative, mature discipline. However, given the complexity of biological processes and the still early stage of its development, it lacks a solid theoretical basis. What is becoming clear is that it is a science of systems, with new and frequently unexpected properties emerging from interaction of multiple components on different temporal and spatial scales. New physical, chemical, and mathematical principles are developed to understand these processes. This course is focused on learning the key concepts that have emerged over the last two decades that shape this new science and on the experiential, theoretical, and computational tools used in this research. These concepts will likely be shaping the twenty-first-century biology-driven advances in physics, chemistry, and biology, in understanding and engineering life and a new technologies that will emerge. The course is primarily aimed at graduate students with college-level background in math, physics, and chemistry. The biological concepts are introduced during the classes. Prerequisite: Knowledge of college level calculus, probability theory, and linear algebra is highly desirable. A background in molecular biology is helpful but not required. MW 4pm-5:15pm