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SK2535 Cellular Biophysics 7.5 credits

Administer About course

In this course we describe the biological cell with principles and methods from physics. The course teach models and equations describing the transport of water, ions and nutrients within cells and through cell membranes. Active and passive transport. Channels and carriers. Membrane potential. Methods for measuring cellular physical parameters.

Information per course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Termin

Information for Spring 2026 Start 13 Jan 2026 programme students

Course location

AlbaNova

Duration
13 Jan 2026 - 13 Mar 2026
Periods

Spring 2026: P3 (7.5 hp)

Pace of study

50%

Application code

60792

Form of study

Normal Daytime

Language of instruction

English

Course memo
Course memo is not published
Number of places

Places are not limited

Target group
No information inserted
Planned modular schedule
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Schedule
Schedule is not published

Contact

Examiner
No information inserted
Course coordinator
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Teachers
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Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus SK2535 (Spring 2022–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus SK2535 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Models and equations for:

  • Active and passive transport in cells
  • Diffusion in solution and membrane
  • Osmosis and osmotic pressure
  • Active transport
  • Electrodiffusion, Nernst potential and membrane potential
  • Electrical properties of the nerve cell
  • Cellular homeostasis

Intended learning outcomes

Cellular Biophysics is a general course in biophysics where the student learns the fundamental physical, quantitative and structural aspects of the biological cell. An important course goal is to equip the student with a physical and mathematical toolbox to both understand and apply results and observations from cell-biological experiments.

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

  • describe the basic physical principles of cell function regarding the transport of water, ions and nutrients.
  • define and use mathematical models for the transport of water, ions and solutes in and across the cell membrane.
  • describe how the cell regulates water and ion balance and how it is affected by the cell's environment.
  • calculate the potential of the cell membrane and how it varies in different situations.
  • perform measurements of cell physics parameters using microscope-based methods.

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Completed degree project at the undergraduate level in engineering physics or medical technology.

English B / English 6

Literature

You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.

Examination and completion

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory work, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • INL1 - Hand in assignment, 2.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Written exam, 2.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Examiner

Profile picture Hjalmar Brismar

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

SCI/Applied Physics

Main field of study

Engineering Physics

Education cycle

Second cycle