Experiments on the Physics of Living Systems

9451620纽曼生命科学和医学预科学生在联合学院学习物理学在传统的两个学期微积分为基础的序列设计的工程和物理科学的学生。这些学生约占本科生的20%，他们在物理学入门课程中受到了不良对待。一个新开发的两个学期的课程序列将提供一个现代的介绍物理学在生物学中的应用（主要是在分子和细胞水平），通过花费大约25%的时间在讲座/讨论格式的应用程序。这些课程将以具有挑战性和相关性的方式呈现基础物理学，将使用微积分，并将强调概念思维和定量推理。建议为这些学生开发专注于生命科学主题的实验室经验。一个全新的实验室课程将开发相关的物理原理的结构，功能和生物系统的研究。实验的例子包括研究细菌的运动，骨骼中的应力/应变关系，通过动脉的流体流动，神经的模型电路，代表眼睛瞳孔的反馈回路，以及在解释心率和EKG中重要的混沌电路，应用于生物样品的激光吸收和荧光光谱，以及深度感知和双眼视觉。这些新颖的实验与课程中开发的主题非常吻合，应该能激发学生对基础物理的热情和兴趣。 *y

9451620 Newman Life science and pre-medical students at Union College have studied physics in a traditional two-term calculus-based sequence designed for engineering and physical science students. Representing about 20% of our undergraduates, these students have been ill-served in their introductory courses in physics. A newly developed two-term sequence of courses will provide a modern introduction to the applications of physics to biology (mostly at the molecular and cellular level) by spending roughly 25% of the time on such applications in a lecture/discussion format. These courses will present fundamental physics in a challenging and relevant manner, will use calculus, and will stress both conceptual thinking and quantitative reasoning throughout. It is proposed to develop laboratory experiences which are focused on life science themes for these students. A totally new laboratory curriculum will be developed to relate physical principles to the structure, function, and the study of biological systems. Examples of experiments include the study of the motion of bacteria, the stress/strain relations in bone, the flow of fluids through arteries, model electric circuits for nerves, feedback loops representing the pupil of the eye, and chaotic circuits of importance in the interpretation of heart rate and EKG, laser absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy as applied to biological samples, and depth perception and binocular vision. These novel experiments fit well with the themes developed in the courses and should stimulate student enthusiasm and interest in the underlying physics. ***y