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Physics and Astronomy - Course Details


PHYS570J (PHYS57000)

Offering:

Summer, Fall, Spring

Prerequisites:

Description:

The goal of this course is to provide an overview of biological processes whose function relies on quantum mechanics. In particular, the course will introduce quantum-mechanical description of such biological phenomena as photosynthesis, vison, bird navigation (avian compass), sense of smell. The course will also cover electronic and vibrational properties of complex molecules relevant to understanding of absorption and emission of light, electron/energy transfer, quantum coherence and isomerization, along with computational and experimental methods suitable to study these properties.

This course is designed for students at the senior undergraduate or entering graduate level. The course will assume some knowledge of molecular biology at the level of Introduction to Biophysics I course, though interested students without that background could quickly gain the required background through some additional reading. Interested students from non-physics majors, presumably biology and chemistry are also welcome, assuming some basic knowledge of quantum mechanics and electricity and magnetism.

Course Material for Spring 2024

Last Updated: May 9, 2023 8:35 AM

Department of Physics and Astronomy, 525 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2036 • Phone: (765) 494-3000 • Fax: (765) 494-0706

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