Physics of Biological Systems
An interdisciplinary course exploring how physics principles can be applied to understand biological phenomena, from molecular motors to cellular mechanics. Topics include polymer physics, stochastic processes, and nonequilibrium statistical mechanics applied to living systems.
Stochastic Processes in Biology
Introduction to stochastic methods and their applications to biological systems. Covers random walks, Markov processes, master equations, Langevin and Fokker-Planck equations, with applications to gene expression, molecular motors, and population dynamics.
Statistical Mechanics I
Comprehensive introduction to equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics include microcanonical, canonical, and grand canonical ensembles, partition functions, thermodynamic potentials, phase transitions, and critical phenomena. Applications to ideal and interacting systems.
Statistical Mechanics II
Advanced topics in statistical mechanics including non-equilibrium systems, linear response theory, fluctuation-dissipation theorem, kinetic theory, and transport phenomena. Introduction to modern topics such as active matter and stochastic thermodynamics.