BIOPHYS 433 001 WN 2026

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BIOPHYSICS433 / PHYSICS433

Instructor                   Magdalena Ivanova, PhD                                    Email mivanova@umich.edu

Time/Location           11:30am - 1:00pm Tu/Th                                  1512 NUB  

Office hours               10:00AM-10:30AM Wen 1:00-1:30PM Thu  3040 CHEM

Maizey                         An AI tutor trained specifically on the class materials.

Biophysics 433 focuses on understanding how complex behaviors and patterns emerge in biological systems, such as how cancer cells behave or embryos develop. The course introduces students to mathematical tools used to describe these systems. For instance, students will learn about bifurcations, which occur when a small change in conditions causes a system to switch from one behavior to another, like how a heart might go from regular to irregular beating. The course will also cover dynamical systems, both linear (predictable) and nonlinear (where small changes can have significant, unpredictable effects). The network theory for studying interconnected elements, such as brain neurons or ecosystem species, is also discussed. The class also covers the basics of chaos theory, which helps explain why some systems, like the weather or population growth, can be unpredictable even though they follow specific rules. Finally, the course will introduce spatiotemporal dynamics and pattern formation to examine how cells in developing organisms create complex, organized structures, like the stripes on a zebra or the branching of blood vessels. These models are essential for explaining how complex biological systems behave and predicting their behavior. By applying these frameworks, students will learn how to describe and analyze biological complexity, from the dynamics of cell populations to the emergent properties of entire ecosystems.

Reading and Materials

The course is based on research papers, textbooks, and online articles. If you have questions, you can also ask Maizey, the AI tutor trained on the class materials. The primary resources are listed below:

*PDF files for these books are in Canvas → Files → Class Materials 

PDF files for the lectures are in Canvas → Files → Lectures

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need accommodation for a disability, please let me know at your earliest convenience. Your information is private and confidential and will be treated as such.

Religious holidays and other time conflicts

Please let me know during the first two weeks of the semester if you have conflicts with the listed examination dates.

Grading

Grades will be based on 2 exams (in person 30%), 3 homework (take home 25%), weekly problem sets (15%), in-class paper presentation (15%), and a final project (take home - 15%).

R-studio installation with Prof Dinov on Jan 22 -  attendance will be taken. 

Exams        

Exam 1 15%       February 19 (in class)

Exam 2 15%       April 21 (in class)     

Exam material will be reviewed in the lectures prior to the exam.

Homework: Homework assignments are scheduled as follows: HW#1 – February 05; HW#2 – March 10; HW#3 – April 07. Each problem set is due by 8:30 am one week after it is assigned.

Weekly problem sets: Beginning in Week 3 (Jan 20) and continuing through the end of the semester, problem sets will be assigned at the end of class, except for presentation weeks. The problems will be discussed and solved in the following class with active student participation. To receive full credit, each student must either (a) present and explain problem(s) on the board TWICE without notes during the semester OR (b) post written solutions online each week (problem sets will not be graded for accuracy; points will be given for submission).

In-class paper presentations: For this assignment, students will work in groups to present a topic related to the course. All group members will receive the same grade. Directions will be provided on Feb 05. Students will be randomly assigned to one of the following dates: March 19, 24, 26, or 31.

Term Project: Directions will be given on February 10. Due at 6:00 pm, April 24 (Note the official date for the final exam assigned by the Office of Registrar is April 24).

Grades will be calculated using a standard scale

Grade

Range

A

100 %

to 93.0%

A-

< 93.0 %

to 90.0%

B+

< 90.0 %

to 87.0%

B

< 87.0 %

to 83.0%

B-

< 83.0 %

to 80.0%

C+

< 80.0 %

to 77.0%

C

< 77.0 %

to 74.0%

C-

< 74.0 %

to 70.0%

D+

< 70.0 %

to 67.0%

D

< 67.0 %

to 64.0%

D-

< 64.0 %

to 61.0%

 

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due