E11: Physical principles of living systems - 77750

(3hrs/week, 4 CP; Spring 2026, Lectures and Excercises)

Knut Drescher, David Brückner

Contents:

This course presents an overview of how physical processes shape the dynamics of living systems, across a range of different length scales - from the atomic and molecular scales to the scale of cells and tissues, and to the organismal and ecosystem scale. This course heavily relies on mathematical and computational tools to characterize living systems, and relies on concepts from physics (statistical physics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, energies and forces) to reveal conserved principles.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding of several conserved physical principles in living systems.
Understanding of collective behaviors in living systems.

Prerequisites:

Analysis I & II, Linear Algebra I & II, Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics, Programming (Python or an equivalent programming language)

Format of the Course, and Evaluation:

(more text to follow).

The evaluation of the course will be based on a final exam which will result in an overall grade for the course (1-6, in 0.5 increments).