Outline

Each week one case study: 1/2 hour introduction (available on course web site) of the respective biological system, observation methods, and questions asked; Physical and mathematical concepts and methods that permit one to answer the questions raised (available on web site). Students have to select early a term project from one of the case studies; the project should involve a small, original contribution by the student and be presented in a 15 minute lecture as well as a (five page) report at the course end. The grade will based on term project (70 percent) and on three homework sets (30 percent). The course will rely on a web portal in which students can exchange ideas, form collaborative project groups, and deposit all files needed for the course work. Access requirement is a recently updated browser, best Netscape.