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Credits: 5

Schedule: 08.01.2019 - 14.02.2019

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation): More information on the course is available on the MyCourses webpage: ; https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/view.php?id=20906

PROFESSOR

Prof. Ilkka Tittonen

COURSE ASSISTANT (email for further information)

Camilla Tossi

Teaching Period (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

III 2018 - 2019 (spring)
III 2019 - 2020 (spring)

Learning Outcomes (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

Encompassing annually varying topics in molecular physics, biophysics, and molecular quantum mechanics, this course gives fundamental knowledge of biological molecules and physical insight into biological systems. The course contains lectures, exercises, student presentations, and written essays.

Details on the course content (applies in this implementation): 

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE


Encompassing annually varying topics in molecular physics, biophysics, and molecular quantum mechanics, this course gives fundamental knowledge of biological molecules and physical and chemical insight into biological systems.


The focus is on the crossroads between biology, physics, chemistry and engineering, both from a theoretical and experimental point of view.

TOPICS OF THE COURSE:

atomic and molecular bonding

structure of biomolecules (proteins, DNA)

structure of the cell

spectroscopy techniques (optical, NMR, X-ray and more)

microscopy techniques (TEM, confocal, fluorescence)

modeling techniques (briefly)

Assessment Methods and Criteria (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

Exercises, presentations, written essay, and an exam

Elaboration of the evaluation criteria and methods, and acquainting students with the evaluation (applies in this implementation): Basic topics will be introduced during the 1st week of the course, and the students will be given a list of topics: every student will have to prepare a presentation (15-30 minutes, depending on how many students enroll) and an essay on their topic (5 pages), according to specific guidelines, and the essays will be part of the study material;a few selected scientific articles, around which the students have to form groups and discuss the article taking different roles: biologist, chemist, physicist and engineer. The discussion will lead to a group presentation (15-30 minutes). The articles will also be part of the study material. The final exam will take place on the 21st of February. Extra assignments can be requested to increase your grade by 10 points, and a second exam may be arranged for students who miss the first date due to sickness/other exams. The exam will consist of three parts: 5 questions that will require a short direct answer, 3 questions that will require a long answer (10-15 lines per question) and reading a brief paper in order answer to a question on it (10-15 lines).

Maximum total points: 100
Presentation: 25 points
Essay: 25 points

Group work: 20 points
Exam: 30 points
Extra points for attendance: 1 point / class. Remember also that you can request special assignments for additional compensation points! The grading will be based on the quality of the content, the form of the presentation and the essay, and the improvement of the students over the course, from presentation to essay to exam.

Workload (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

This course contains annually slightly varying topics in molecular physics, biological physics and even molecular quantum mechanics. The course contains lectures, exercises and individual writing topics.

Lectures 2 x 2 h

Exercises 8 x 1h

Student presentations 6 x 2 h

Scientific writing 8 x 0.5h

Exam 3 h

Individual work ~100 h

Details on calculating the workload (applies in this implementation): 

ASSESSMENT

Maximum total points: 100


Presentation: 25 points

Essay: 25 points

Group work: 20 points

Exam: 30 points

GRADING 


Points   Grade   

90 - 

5

90-89

4

70-79

3

60-69

2

51-59

1


Details on the course materials (applies in this implementation): 

  • STUDY MATERIAL

    Lectures, presentation slides, student essays, and course books.


    COURSE BOOKS

    R. Cotterill, Biophysics: An Introduction, Chichester: Wiley, 2002.

    S. Tanev, V.V. Tuchin, and B.C. Wilson, Advances in Biophotonics



    (Aalto University has access to only 6 copies of the first book and 1 copy of the third book. Therefore, remember to logout after reading!)


Course Homepage (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=ELEC-E3260

Prerequisites (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

Basic courses in mathematics and physics on the BSc level. Familiarity with the syntax of MATLAB/Mathematica will be beneficial.

Grading Scale (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

0-5

Registration for Courses (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

WebOodi

Further Information (valid 01.08.2018-31.07.2020): 

language class 3: English

Details on the schedule (applies in this implementation): 

Lectures take place in Micronova (Tietotie 3 ) on Tuesday and Thursdays, from 12:00 (plus academic quarter) to 14:00, starting in January 8th 2019 and ending in February 14th 2019.

The exam will take place on February 21st 2019.

Description

Registration and further information