# Statistical Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems (BE.011J)

Genes are specific sequences of bases that encode instructions on how to make proteins. It’s the proteins that perform most life functions and even make up the majority of cellular structures. Proteins are large, complex molecules made up of smaller subunits called amino acids. (Illustration courtesy of the Human Genome Program of the U.S. Department of Energy.)

### Instructor(s)

Prof. Kim Hamad-Schifferli

Prof. Linda Griffith

### MIT Course Number

20.011J / 2.772J

### As Taught In

Spring 2004

### Level

Undergraduate

###

Some Description
Instructor(s) | Prof.
As Taught In | Spring 2002
Course Number | 2.24
Level | Undergraduate/Graduate
Features | Lecture Notes, Student Work

## Course Description

## Course Features

- Assignments: problem sets (no solutions)
- Exams (no solutions)

## Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the physical chemistry of biological systems. Topics include: connection of macroscopic thermodynamic properties to microscopic molecular properties using statistical mechanics, chemical potentials, equilibrium states, binding cooperativity, behavior of macromolecules in solution and at interfaces, and solvation. Example problems include protein structure, genomic analysis, single molecule biomechanics, and biomaterials.

## Other Versions

OCW has published multiple versions of this subject.

- 20.110J Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems

## Other OCW Versions

Archived versions:

- BE.011J Statistical Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems (Spring 2004)

## Related Content

## Course Collections

See related courses in the following collections:

### Cross-Disciplinary Lists

- Life Sciences Courses

### Find Courses by Topic

- Physics > Thermodynamics
- Biological Engineering > Biomaterials
- Biological Engineering > Biostatistics
- Biology > Biophysics
- Chemistry > Physical Chemistry
- Biology > Computation and Systems Biology

Kim Hamad-Schifferli, and Linda Griffith. 20.011J Statistical Thermodynamics of Biomolecular Systems (BE.011J). Spring 2004. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.

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