uwloo

PHYS 380Molecular and Cellular Biophysics

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Physics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Cell structure and molecular composition; intermolecular interactions and hydration; protein structure and function; cytoskeletal filaments; DNA structure, packing and chromosomes; rate equations and biological dynamics (e.g., cytoskeletal polymerization); self-assembly; cell membranes; action potentials and biological electricity; molecular motors; cell motility.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • CHEM123 - General Chemistry 2 (0.50)
      • CHEM125 - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001718045 / 48MW 17:30–18:50

Reviewed on UW Flow

56% liked it67% easy48% useful

From 16 ratings and 9 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • One of the best courses I've ever taken. Take this class with Dr. Brenda Lee, especially if you are interested in experiments. She introduces you to many areas of Biophysics that need more research. Throughout the course you will be working on completing a literature review, which is a type of Scientific research in of itself, but is also useful for grad. school. Dr. Brenda Lee makes Biophysics easy, plus she marks super fast. Take with a light course-load as the Literature Review, isn't that hard, but takes a long time to complete.

    Jul 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The content taught was quite unclear and lectures started without any background information whatsoever. Assignments were difficult, but could be understood through the powerpoints, as during many lectures, the prof would spend 30 minutes talking about something relatively basic, such as a log equation, then brush over an important concept quickly.

    Dec 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Not the most technically difficult course, but an interesting introduction to molecular biophysics.

    Oct 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Not the biggest fan of this course - It is evident that Dr. Lee put in a lot of effort to make it good, but I didn't feel like I have learnt much other than the first couple of lectures. She presented a lot of interesting models but most of are way too detailed, so it is very hard to take them with you into your future studies. I wish that there could be more general approaches to modelling (such as those covered in BIOL/AMATH 382) rather than covering the details of those very specific models

    Jul 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • As an Electrical Engineering student this is a decently difficult course even with Brenda Lee. She is literally one of the best profs at the school and everyone should try and take a course with her

    Jul 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

15 posts and comments in 14 threads mention PHYS 380, January 2012 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Birdy Physics Course? 3 points, 5 comments

“Hi guys! I need some course requirements to graduate on time, and I just need one more Physics course. Are there any physics courses you'd recommend? The less work the better. …”

u/Waterloonybin: “Phys 380 with brenda is fun and very easy”

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Spring 2022

Winter 2022

Spring 2020

Spring 2018

Fall 2017

Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… 236 PHYS 256 PHYS 256L PHYS 275 PHYS 342 PHYS 358 PHYS 360A PHYS 360B PHYS 363 PHYS 364 PHYS 380 PHYS 434 PHYS 437A PHYS 437B PHYS 442 PHYS 454 PHYS 460A PHYS 460B PHYS 461 PHYS 474 PHYS 475 PHYS 490 PHYS 491 PHYS 601 PHYS 602 PHYS 603 PHYS 604 PHYS 605 PHYS 611 PHYS 701 PHYS …”

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Spring 2016

Fall 2015

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar