Duration
29h Th, 23h Pr, 6h Proj.
Number of credits
| Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering | 5 crédits | |||
| Master of Science (MSc) in Biomedical Engineering | 5 crédits |
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
General : application of the basic laws of physics and chemistry on living organisms and their different components.
Detailed content:
Biophysics
- Length and time scales in nature
- Mechanical and Chemical Equilibrium in the Living Cell
- Entropy rules!
- Two-State Systems: From Ion Channels to Cooperative Binding
- Beam Theory: Architecture for Cells and Skeletons
- Electrostatics for Salty Solutions
- Biological Membranes: Life in Two Dimensions
Biochemistry
- Protein structure
- Methods for biological macromolecules structure determination and Protein Data bases
- Some examples of Protein functions
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This course aims to provide the students with insight into how the basic tools and insights of physics, chemistry and mathematics can illuminate the study of molecular and cellular biology. Drawing on key examples and seminal experiments from cell biology, the course demonstrates how quantitative models can help refine our understanding of existing biological data and also be used to make useful predictions. Additionally, it demonstrates how advances in engineering technology (based on these simple physical concepts) can assist the advancement of knowledge in the life sciences (and biomolecular chemistry) and the improvement of life.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
General knowledge of general principles of physics, chemistry and thermodynamics - such as covered by bachelor courses PHYS2020-1, PHYS2021-1, PHYS2022-1 and CHIM0286-1.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Biophysics
- Weekly exercise sessions (assignments and teaching in French)
- small group projet: introduction of a biological process studied in the biophysics part
Biochemistry
- Recall of bases in organic chemistry applied to living matter
- Tutorials dedicated to the Pymol software use: obseravtion and analysis of biological macromolecules structures. Courses illustration. Use of PDB database.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
face-to-face
Recommended or required readings
- Reference textbook: 'Physical Biology of the Cell' by Rob Phillips, Jane Kondev & Julie Theriot, Garland Science (ISBN978-0-8153-4163-5). A copy is available in the library.
- "Biochimie générale" by Jacques-Henry WEIL Editeur : DUNOD Collection : Science sup Année: 07/2009 (11ème édition) - "Crystallography made hook clear: With guide for users for macromolecular models." Scale Rhodos, Academic Press 2000 - "Introduction to Protein Structure" Carl Branden and John Tooze, Garland Publishing 1999 CD roms: - PS ² and Kinemage Supplement to "Introduction to Protein Structure" Carl Branden and John Tooze, Garland Publishing 1999
- Detailed slides will be made available to the students via eCampus.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Additional information:
Written exam containing a theoretical and an exercise part. The biophysics part counts for 60% of the total score of the course and the biochemistry part for 40%. The overall score is the average of both parts.
For the biophysics there is also a group homework assignment (introduction of a biological process studied in the biophysics course) that will count for 10% of the final mark of the biophysics part.
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
contact the teacher for more details.
Contacts
Liesbet Geris
tel: 04 366 95 87
liesbet.geris@ulg.ac.be
Paulette Charlier
tel: 04 366 36 19
paulette.charlier@ulg.ac.be