Theory of Stochastic Processes
The lecture “Theory of Stochastic Processes” is offered during the summer semester, aimed at physics master students and usually accompanied by a tutorial with weekly exercise sheets.
Preliminary Content
- Definition of stochastic processes and basic assumptions for their use to describe physical (and biomolecular) processes
- Setting up, solving and numerically simulating Master equations
- Setting up, solving and numerically simulating stochastic differential equations (SDEs)
- Fokker-Planck equations
- Understanding and applying basic concepts of stochastic thermodynamics
- Understanding approximation methods for the analysis of complex stochastic processes
Literature
- C Gardiner: 'Stochastic Methods: A Handbook for the Natural and Social Sciences' (Springer)
- NG van Kampen: 'Stochastic Processes in Physics and Chemistry' (North-Holland)
- H Risken: 'The Fokker Planck Equation' (Springer)
- U Seifert: 'Stochastic thermodynamics: From principles to the cost of precission'
- S Ciliberto: 'Experiments in Stochastic Thermodynamics: Short History and Perspectives'
- H Touchette: 'The large deviation approach to statistical mechanics'
- H Touchette: 'A basic introduction to large deviations: Theory, applications, simulations'
- A Wachtel et al.: 'Fluctuating Currents in Stochastic Thermodynamics I. Gauge Invariance of Asymptotic Statistics'
- B Altaner et al.: 'Fluctuating Currents in Stochastic Thermodynamics II. Energy Conversion and Nonequilibrium Response in Kinesin Models'
- J Parrondo et al.: 'Thermodynamics of information'
- C Van den Broeck, M Esposito: 'Ensemble and Trajectory Thermodynamics: A Brief Introduction'
- further literature will be announced during the lecture
Introduction to Biophysics
The lecture “Introduction to Biophysics” is offered during the winter semester and aimed at bachelor students interested in the physical principles underlying biological phenomena. It is accompanied by a tutorial and weekly exercise sheets. The lecture is a joint lecture held by Prof. Julia Herzen, Prof. Andreas Bausch and Prof. Ulrich Gerland.
Preliminary Content
- Medical biophysics: Imaging systems, X-rays, radiation therapy
- Cell biology and biochemical cellular processes
- Protein structure and functionality, enzyme kinetics
- DNA structure, replication and cell cycle
- Cellular transport mechanisms
- Gene regulation
- Neurobiology
Literature
- A Maier, S Steidl, V Christlein, J Hornegger: Medical Imaging Systems (2018)
- T Buzug: Computed Tomography (2008)
- P Russo: Handbook of X-ray Imaging (2017)
- B Alberst: Molekularbiologie der Zelle, 6. Auflage
- T Bornschlögl, H Dietz: Biophysik der Zelle (2021)
- R Phillips, J Kondev, J Theriot, H Garcia: Physical Biology of the Cell (2012)