AEP 5640 - [Modern Applied Physics Experimental Design]

Fall. Not offered: 2024-2025. Next offered: 2025-2026. 3 Credits. Student option grading.

Co-meets with AEP 3640.

J. Moses.

Overview of the diversity of modern biophysical experimental techniques used in the study of biophysical systems at the molecular, cellular, and population level. Emphasis is placed on groundbreaking methods behind recent Nobel Prizes and other techniques likely to be encountered in cutting-edge research and industry. Topics include: 1) super-resolution, multi-photon, and single molecule microscopy, 2) crystallography and structural biology methods used to characterize DNA, RNA, proteins, cells, tissues, 3) microfluidics, “lab-on-a-chip”, and single cell culture techniques, 4) molecular dynamics simulations, stochastic modeling, and physical models of a cell, and 5) next-generation sequencing, protein engineering, synthetic biology, genome editing, and other experimental techniques at the intersection of applied physics and biological engineering.

Outcome 1: Demonstrate an automated optical scanning microscope over the course of a semester-long laboratory project.

Outcome 2: Develop skills essential to the practice of modern computer-aided applied physics experimental design, including techniques for interfacing computers with scientific measurements using “virtual instrument” concepts, and methods for analyzing digital signals and uncertainties in measurements.

Outcome 3: Develop effective writing and communication skills both as a tool for practicing experimental design and for the dissemination of knowledge through a formal article.