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PHYC40430

Academic Year 2024/2025

Nanomechanics - from single molecules to single cells (PHYC40430)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Brian Rodriguez
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module covers a range of problems related to mechanical properties of biological systems at the nanoscale. The module will include the following topics: statistics of biopolymers; molecular adsorption at interfaces; single molecule mechanics, mechanics of polymer networks and brushes; force spectroscopy; collective phenomena and surface forces; microrheology; dynamics of nanostructured systems.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this module students should be able to understand the physical mechanisms responsible for structural transformations and ordering in biomolecular systems; be able to explain the origin of the main forces in biomolecular systems and their dependence on environmental conditions, and to be able to explain the principles of modern experimental and theoretical methods of studying mechanical properties of single molecules, molecular complexes, and membranes.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

53

Autonomous Student Learning

48

Lectures

24

Total

125


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Supplementary reading materials and online content
Homework assignments
Scientific writing

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): End of semester exam. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
No
Assignment(Including Essay): There will be various assignments, typically 5-6 homeworks. The due dates vary across the weeks selected. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
50
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback on assignments should be self-assessed during revision for exam.

The World of Nano-Biomechanics Second Edition by Atsushi Ikai
Introduction to Cell Mechanics and Mechanobiology by Christopher R. Jacobs, Hayden Huang, Ronald Y. Kwon

Name Role
Assoc Professor Vladimir Lobaskin Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 15:50