FY814: Experimental biophysics (5 ECTS)

STADS: 07009501

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the autumn semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: adam@memphys.sdu.dk

Additional teachers
koji@sdu.dk
needham@sdu.dk
kloesgen@memphys.sdu.dk
brewer@memphys.sdu.dk
bagatolli@bmb.sdu.dk

Timetable
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Prerequisites:
A Bachelor’s degree in Physics, nanobioscience or similar subject area, or a minor in Physics.

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of the topics from Electromagnetism II (FY506) and Thermal Physics (FY509).

Course introduction
The aim of the course is that the students become familiar with modern experimental methods for fabrication, manipulation and characterization of biological model systems, soft matter materials and biomolecular interfaces.

The course builds on the knowledge acquired in previous experimental courses in the physics curriculum, and gives an academic basis for using biophysical techniques in later projects and the master thesis.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Give the competence to conduct advanced biophysical experiments ina broad range of topics.
• Give knowledge on biophysical technniques in the research at FKF and knowledge about present research.

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course are that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• Describe the phenomenological background of the techniques used and assess their applications.
• Work with advanced scientific measurement equipment (under supervision), and implement quantitative data processing.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate in writing the outcome of own results and results from relevant scientific literature.

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

1. Surface sensitive techniques  for characterizing biomolecular interfaces including atomic force microscopy (AFM), imaging ellipsometry and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). Examples of systems studies are: Supported bilayers and monolayers (Simonsen).
2. Micromechanical methods for fabrication, manipulation and characterization of micro and nanoparticles (Kinoshita/Needham).
3. Fabrication of Langmuir monolayers of surfactant molecules and characterization of these with X-ray and neutron reflectometry (Klösgen).
4. Confocal fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) for studying membranes and cells (Brewer).

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam

1. As a prerequisite-test the students are required to complete the lab work and the associated lab reports before admission to write the final report. Pass/fail, internal marking by teacher. (07009512).

Assessment and marking:

1. Approximately 10 days before the end of the course, each participant will be assigned (by random) a subject covered in the course. On the basis of this topic the students write a comprehensive report (~15 pages)  which includes own results, scientific literature and answers to specific questions. The report is evaluated with a grade after 7-scale (internal censorship). (5 ECTS). (07009502).

Reexamination in the same termin. (Does not require new experiments)
The mode of exam at the reexamination may differ from the mode of exam at the ordinary exam.

Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 16 hours
Skills training phase: 24 hours, hereof:
 - Laboratory exercises: 24 hours

Educational activities

Educational form
Activities during the study phase:

• Independent study of reading material describing fabrication and characterization tools for specific biophysical systems.
• Analysis of data collected during lab exercises. Writing of group reports.
• Writing of an individual final report.

Language
This course is taught in Danish or English, depending on the lecturer. However, if international students participate, the teaching language will always be English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.