Physics (PHYS-GH)

This course introduces the students to the wealth of information on cellular processes gained using biophysical approaches that is not accessible using traditional techniques. Emphasis will be put on biologically relevant questions that state‐of‐the‐art single molecule biophysical techniques were able to address. Topics include: biopolymer mechanics, protein‐nucleic acid interaction, protein structure and dynamics, membrane dynamics, cytoskeletal dynamics, motor proteins, cell shape and motility, cell communication and cell‐cell interaction, tissue mechanics. Understanding these processes will be framed within the realm of equilibrium and non‐equilibrium statistical mechanics. Examples of single molecule experiments that allowed testing an extending concepts of statistical physics will be discussed.

Students immerse into two seven‐week research experiences during their first full semester on the NYU Abu Dhabi campus. One goal of the research rotations is to expose incoming students to different areas of research and potential PhD advisors. The course allows the student to gauge their interest in the subject area of research, the methods used, and the work environment in the research group, to determine if it is sufficient to sustain them for the duration of the dissertation.

The goal of this course is to provide a modern introduction to the Standard Model of particle physics. Starting from the basic principle of Quantum Mechanics and Special Relativity, introducing the needed concepts of Quantum Field Theory (QFT) for particles of any spin smaller or equal than 2. Then build up the Standard Model by emphasizing the role of symmetries, especially broken symmetries to serve as a preamble towards a discussion of the electroweak and strong interactions. The major achievements and basic problems of the Standard Model are covered and a short introduction to the proposals for the physics beyond the Standard Model. The perspective of Effective Field Theories (EFT) is emphasized throughout and concrete examples for basic calculations are presented.