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Graduate Course Proposal Form Submission Detail - PHZ6715
Tracking Number - 2922

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Current Status: Approved by SCNS - 2013-01-29
Campus: Tampa
Submission Type: New
Course Change Information (for course changes only):
Comments: to GC 12/3. for PhD in Appled Physics. Replacing selected topics course. GC approved 12/3/12. to Sys 12/4/12. to SCNS 12/12/12. Appropved effective 2/1/13.

Detail Information

  1. Date & Time Submitted: 2012-09-04
  2. Department: Physics
  3. College: AS
  4. Budget Account Number: 125300000
  5. Contact Person: Casey Miller
  6. Phone: 81397477771
  7. Email: millercw@usf.edu
  8. Prefix: PHZ
  9. Number: 6715
  10. Full Title: Biophysics I
  11. Credit Hours: 3
  12. Section Type: C - Class Lecture (Primarily)
  13. Is the course title variable?: N
  14. Is a permit required for registration?: N
  15. Are the credit hours variable?: N
  16. Is this course repeatable?:
  17. If repeatable, how many times?: 0
  18. Abbreviated Title (30 characters maximum):
  19. Course Online?: C - Face-to-face (0% online)
  20. Percentage Online: 0
  21. Grading Option: -
  22. Prerequisites:
  23. Corequisites:
  24. Course Description: This is part one of a two-semester introductory course in biophysics designed to apply concepts

    from thermodynamics, statistical mechanics and electromagnetism to describe the physical

    behavior of macromolecules and biological membranes.

  25. Please briefly explain why it is necessary and/or desirable to add this course: Replacing Selected Topics with Permanent number; already listed in program
  26. What is the need or demand for this course? (Indicate if this course is part of a required sequence in the major.) What other programs would this course service? This graduate level course has been offered every fall semester since the Fall 2002. This course is vital to the success of students engaged in biophysics research, which is one of three major research areas in the Applied Physics PhD.
  27. Has this course been offered as Selected Topics/Experimental Topics course? If yes, how many times? Yes, 3 or more times
  28. What qualifications for training and/or experience are necessary to teach this course? (List minimum qualifications for the instructor.)
  29. Objectives: The objective of this course is to apply the concepts of thermodynamics, statistical

    mechanics and electromagnetism and to describe the physical behavior of biological

    macromolecules and biological membranes.

  30. Learning Outcomes: Students will (a) apply the concept of partition functions to describe macromolecular

    systems. (b) explore how global transitions in macromolecules affect their binding

    behavior (c) learn how to describe diffusion and appreciate its role in cellular and

    sub-cellular transport (d) describe the conformation of biopolymers and explore

    conformational transitions (helix-coil transition)

  31. Major Topics: Overview of Cell Biology – Gross Anatomy of Cells and their Organelles,

    Biomolecules and macromolecules in cells, protein, Lipids, DNAMolecular

    USF Graduate School - Graduate Course Status Page 2 of 3

    http://www.grad.usf.edu/programs/grad_course_status_detail.php?track_number=2159 7/7/2011

    Biophysics – Review of thermodynamics/Statistical Mechanics; Molecular forces

    among macromolecules; The conformation of macromolecules in solution Molecular

    association and reaction kinetics; Diffusion of macromolecules; Fluctuations and

    Molecular Dynamics Macromolecules and Charges – Screening of macromolecules

    by ions (Debye-Hueckel Theory)Ions and Electrical Potentials across membranes

    (Nernst-Planck Equation)

  32. Textbooks: example:

    Molecular and Cellular Biophysics, by Meyer B. Jackson Cambridge University

    Press, New York, 2006

  33. Course Readings, Online Resources, and Other Purchases:
  34. Student Expectations/Requirements and Grading Policy:
  35. Assignments, Exams and Tests:
  36. Attendance Policy: Course Attendance at First Class Meeting – Policy for Graduate Students: For structured courses, 6000 and above, the College/Campus Dean will set the first-day class attendance requirement. Check with the College for specific information. This policy is not applicable to courses in the following categories: Educational Outreach, Open University (TV), FEEDS Program, Community Experiential Learning (CEL), Cooperative Education Training, and courses that do not have regularly scheduled meeting days/times (such as, directed reading/research or study, individual research, thesis, dissertation, internship, practica, etc.). Students are responsible for dropping undesired courses in these categories by the 5th day of classes to avoid fee liability and academic penalty. (See USF Regulation – Registration - 4.0101,

    http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/ogc%20web/currentreg.htm)

    Attendance Policy for the Observance of Religious Days by Students: In accordance with Sections 1006.53 and 1001.74(10)(g) Florida Statutes and Board of Governors Regulation 6C-6.0115, the University of South Florida (University/USF) has established the following policy regarding religious observances: (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/usfgc/gc_pp/acadaf/gc10-045.htm)

    In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary for USF to suspend normal operations. During this time, USF may opt to continue delivery of instruction through methods that include but are not limited to: Blackboard, Elluminate, Skype, and email messaging and/or an alternate schedule. It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor Blackboard site for each class for course specific communication, and the main USF, College, and department websites, emails, and MoBull messages for important general information.

  37. Policy on Make-up Work:
  38. Program This Course Supports: PhD in Applied Physics
  39. Course Concurrence Information:


- if you have questions about any of these fields, please contact chinescobb@grad.usf.edu or joe@grad.usf.edu.