Course on Biophysics next semester but there's no textbook

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SUMMARY

The upcoming Biophysics course focuses on the structure, properties, and functions of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, alongside the physical principles underlying systems like vision and enzyme mechanisms. The course emphasizes original literature interpretation and includes spectroscopic methods such as fluorescence and NMR. Recommended resources include MIT OpenCourseWare lectures and specific online materials that cover relevant topics in physical chemistry and analytical instrumentation. Students are encouraged to explore these resources to prepare for the course effectively.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic biochemistry concepts, particularly proteins and nucleic acids.
  • Familiarity with spectroscopic methods including fluorescence and NMR.
  • Knowledge of physical chemistry principles, especially in relation to biological systems.
  • Basic comprehension of modern physics as it applies to biological phenomena.
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore MIT OpenCourseWare for lectures on Biophysics and related topics.
  • Study spectroscopic techniques such as light absorption and X-ray diffraction.
  • Review materials on the physical basis of vision and nerve transmission from Cognitive Science resources.
  • Investigate analytical instrumentation courses that cover modern physics applications in biochemistry.
USEFUL FOR

Students enrolled in Biophysics courses, educators seeking supplemental materials, and anyone interested in the intersection of physics and biology.

Mugwump101
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I'm going to take a course on Biophysics next semester but there's no textbook. I heard it's because the professor is really good.

Here's the description:

Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes. In depth study of the physical basis of selected systems including vision, nerve transmission, photosynthesis, enzyme mechanism, and cellular diffusion. Introduction to spectroscopic methods for monitoring reactions and determining structure including light absorption or scattering, fluorescence, NMR and X-ray diffraction. The course emphasizes reading and interpretation of the original literature.

But I want to read ahead before class starts. Any ideas? Thanks :D

Also if there are any good resources online or videos, direct me. Thanks.
 
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The description you listed doesn't seem focused on any particular area of biophysics, so I'm going to assume it's an introduction to biophysics class (introducing applications of physics concepts to biology).

Here's some general lectures on Biophysics to begin with:
http://esmane.physics.lsa.umich.edu...fall/20061014-umwlap001-01-blab/real/f001.htm
http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/537/

MIT lectures (some lectures in the Chemistry/Biology/BioEngineering section looks relevant):
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm
Mugwump101 said:
Introduction to the structure, properties, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes.

This is Stat Mech/Thermo concepts applied for the Biochemsitry. You can find similar topics covered in Physical Chemistry/Bioengineering courses or Advance Biochemistry courses:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Biological-Engineering/20-011JSpring-2004/CourseHome/index.htm

Mugwump101 said:
In depth study of the physical basis of selected systems including vision, nerve transmission, photosynthesis, enzyme mechanism, and cellular diffusion.

I don't have much experience with these topics, but I'm sure some courses in Cognitive science section will have something on vision/nerves:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Brain-and-Cognitive-Sciences/index.htm
and look in the Biochemistry/Chemistry section for the latter 3 topics mentioned:
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm
Mugwump101 said:
Introduction to spectroscopic methods for monitoring reactions and determining structure including light absorption or scattering, fluorescence, NMR and X-ray diffraction.

This is Modern Physics/Physical Chemistry applied to analytical instrumentation. An Analytical instrumentation course probably teaches similar info.
This is the book that's commonly used for that class:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0495012017/?tag=pfamazon01-20
So...I posted a lot of lectures for specific courses devoted to the topics mentioned in your description. Most likely, your Biophysics course will probably just give an overview of each of these topics, so you probably don't need to know all the little details taught in these lectures I posted.
 
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