General Information - Spring 2024

Principles from physics and chemistry are explored in the context of biological processes, especially at the molecular and cellular level. Topics covered include random walks, thermodynamics, molecular recognition, dynamic processes, optics and spectroscopy. Quantitative treatments are emphasized and computer simulation and applications are used extensively.

This course is designed to help students understand and appreciate the many connections between the physical and biological sciences, and also develop their skills in quantitative problem solving. Many of the most exciting scientific advances now taking place involve the application of principles from chemistry and physics to biological problems, and students who are broadly educated in the sciences will be especially well prepared to participate in these advances. At the end of the course, students will have explored several biophysical concepts in depth and will be able to apply these concepts to new situations, using appropriate quantitative and mathematical tools.

Instructor:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:40 - 10:30 AM, Room 2002 Henry Eyring Building (HEB)
No classes on:

• Monday, 15 Jan. (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)
• Monday, 19 Feb. (Presidents Day)
• Week of Monday, 4 March (Spring Break)

Attendance and Excused Absences

Regular class attendance is expected of all students. The class sessions will have a mixed lecture-discussion format, and engaged participation is essential for learning. The class sessions will be recorded, with only the audio and slides, and these recordings, along with the slides, will be posted on Canvas. But the recordings and slides should not be viewed as a substitute for attending class. They are intended primarily for review and for those who are unable to attend because of illness, family emergency or an official University of Utah activity.
If you need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy due to a disability, please contact the Center for Disability and Access (CDA). CDA will work with us to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.
To accomodate absences, the five lowest clicker scores will be dropped from the final average. If you must miss more than five classes because of illness, family emergency or an official University of Utah activity, please contact the instructor.

Electronic Device Policy

In order to encourage student engagement and create a more effective learning environment for everyone, the use of cell phones, tablet computers or laptop computers will not be allowed during class. Cell phones may be accessed during class only in cases of emergencies. Exceptions to this policy will be made for students who need to use an electronic device as part of an approved accommodation. See the section below on Special Accommodations for information about applying for an accommodation through the Center for Disability Services.

Clickers

The iClicker audience response system will be used to facilitate interactive learning during the class sessions. The responses will be graded and will count for 5% of the course grade. For some questions, credit will be given for any answer, but for others points will only be given for correct answers.
For each class session in which clickers are used, the scores will be normalized to a total of five points. The five lowest scores will be dropped when calculating the final average.
Although there is an iClicker app for mobile devices, it will not be supported in this class. (See the electronic device policy above.) You will thus need to purchase or rent one of the following two remote devices:

• iClicker+
• iClicker 2

The Campus Store will have the less-expensive iClicker+ available for sale for $44.99 and will buy back the device at the end of the term, though the amount to paid has not yet been determined. . Alternatively, the links above provide information for purchasing or renting the devices directly.
To use the device with this class, the following steps are required:

1. If you do not already have an iClicker account, you will need to create one before classes begin, following the instructions at:
   How-to-Create-an-iClicker-Student-Account
2. Register your iClicker remote device so that it is linked to your account:
   How-to-Register-an-iClicker-Remote
   Follow the instructions under the heading "My instructor is using iClicker Cloud"
3. Add Biol 3550/3551 to your account, as described here:
   Add-Your-Instructor-s-Course-in-the-iClicker-Student-App
   The course should be listed with the title, ``Physical Principles in Biology'', and the course ID, ``Biol 3550/3551''.
4. Use of the iClicker system requires a license. If your clicker was purchased new, it will come with a five-year license, and there will be no additional charges. If, however, you buy a second-hand clicker that was previously registered to another account, you will need to purchase a license. Similarly, rented clickers do not include a license.
   When you create a new iClicker account, you will receive a free two-week trial license. At the end of this period, however, you will need to purchase a license (if you don't already have one). A license for six months costs $15.99, and other pricing options are listed here:
   https://www.iclicker.com/pricing