Statistical Thermodynamics and Quantitative Biology
MCB 199

Jointly Offered with: Faculty of Arts & Sciences as PHYSICS 199

2027 Spring

Full Term

Jan. 25, 2027 – Apr. 28, 2027

12:00pm - 1:15pm

Cambridge Campus

to see location

Class Number: 16229

Course ID: 122410

Consent: No Consent

Enrollment: No Limit

Links

Other Terms & Sessions

This class is currently not scheduled for any other terms or sessions.

Description

This course seeks to develop an understanding of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with applications to quantitative problems in biology such as configurations of biopolymers, equilibrium states of matter, chemical reactions and protein transport, using the concepts of entropy, free energy, adsorption, chemical kinetics and molecular diffusion.

Course Notes

Also offered as PHYSICS 199. Students may not take both for credit.

Recommended Prep

Two terms of college calculus, a calculus-based physics course, and some exposure to molecular and cellular biology. Experience with statistics and differential equations not essential, but helpful.

School Faculty of Arts & Sciences

Credits 4

Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Molecular & Cellular Biology

Course Component Lecture

Subject Molecular & Cellular Biology

Grading Basis FAS Letter Graded

General Education N/A

Quantitative Reasoning with Data N/A

Divisional Distribution Science & Engineering & Applied Science

Course Level For Undergraduate and Graduate Students