Soft Matter Physics

Soft matter physics is the study of materials that are 'easily deformable, e.g. by thermal fluctuations or small shear forces. Fluids, gels and biological tissues are important examples. In this course, we study the properties of such materials with a special focus on applications in biophysics and biomaterials. Topics include macroscopic and microscopic fluid dynamics, elasticity, viscoelastic materials, polymers, mixtures, and membranes. For all of these we will build models, using the tools of statistical physics, and apply these models to biological examples, such as DNA (polymers), various tissues (viscoelastic materials), liquid-liquid phase separation, and membrane shapes and interactions. We will introduce the relevant mathematical framework where needed, using ideas from tensor calculus, differential equations and differential geometry. At the end of the course, students read and present a recent research paper on a soft matter topic, connecting what they've learned to ongoing developments.

The assessment consists of homework assignments, a paper presentation and two written exams (midterm and final). The written exams are scheduled in weeks 1.10 and 2.10. There will be a single resit which replaces both the midterm and final exam, which will be scheduled in Q3. If there are very few participants for the retake, it may be given as an oral instead of a written exam. The assignments consist of weekly homework sets and a paper presentation. There is no retake option for the homework; if students cannot give their presentation for legitimate reasons and inform the teacher in time, they will be given an alternative option to present.

The final grade is composed as follows: homework assignments (problems, 20%), paper presentation (10%), midterm exam (first part of course, 35%), final exam (second part of course, 35%).

Registration for the exams is done via Osiris.

Students needing to turn work in late due to personal circumstances must contact the Academic Counsellor prior to turning it in to make arrangements. Other late work might not be graded.