Soft Condensed Matter and Biological Physics

6 EC

Semester 1, period 2

53548SCM6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. ir. G.J.L. Wuite
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Advanced Matter and Energy Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track Theoretical Physics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track Biophysics and Biophotonics, Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree), track General Physics and Astronomy,

Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

  • The building blocks of cells.
  • Statistical physics applied to soft-condensed matter.
  • Random Walks, Friction and Diffusion.
  • Life at low Reynolds number.
  • Entropic forces at work.
  • Chemical forces & self-assembly.
  • The cytoskeleton, a semiflexible, crosslinked polymer network.
  • Enzymes and molecular machines.
  • Molecular motor proteins, the lorrries in our cells.

Study materials

Literature

  • P. Nelson, 'Biological Physics, Energy, Information, Life', New York, W.H.Freeman and Company, 2004, ISBN 0-7167-4372-8. Later editions are also fine.

Other

  • handouts

Objectives

  • To provide insight into the physics of biological systems and soft condensed matter.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Self-study
  • Presentation/symposium
  • The lectures provide insight into the physics of biological systems & soft condensed matter and to get an idea about the research going on in this field.
  • The presentation are to learn to critically assess scientific literature in this field and to learn to present in oral form an article.

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Lectures

42

Literature exercises

38     

Zelfstudie

80

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    Students have to give two presentations with a group during the course.

    Absence needs to be communicated to the course coordinator.

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    1 (100%)

    Tentamen

    The exam is an open book exam (only the course material, no other books are allowed). Size: 3-4 problems similar as in the home work exercises.

    Inspection of assessed work

    Contact the course coordinator to make an appointment for inspection.

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. ir. G.J.L. Wuite