Project in physics of living systems

BIO-492 / 8 crédits

Enseignant: Profs divers *

Langue: Anglais

Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.

Remark: Le projet en physique des systèmes vivants ne peut pas commencer avant l'acquisition d'au moins 15 ECTS de cours.

Summary

The student will engage in a laboratory-based project in the field of physics of living systems in one of the EPFL research labs working in this field.

Content

A typical project will involve "hands-on" wetlab experimentation and data analysis, although
theoretical and computationally-oriented projects are also possible. The projects are available on the web sites of  laboratories of interest or discussed directly with a potential head of lab.

The students are confronted with the realization of a laboratory-based project integrating specific aspects of physics of living systems.
This project will allow them to apply, to concrete problems, skills of domain and transversal skills acquired during their studies.

Projects have to be done in an EPFL lab.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

  • Manage an individual research project
  • Develop expertise in a specific area of research
  • Implement appropriate technologies to address the scientific or engineering problem being studied
  • Conduct experiments appropriate the specific problem being studied
  • Assess / Evaluate data obtained in wetlab and computational experiments
  • Interpret data obtained in wetlab and computational experiments
  • Optimize experimental protocols and data presentation
  • Plan experiments to test hypotheses based on obtained results

Expected student activities

Students will focus on hands-on experimentation, which may be wetlab-based or computer-based, depending on the project. Students will read and discuss assigned papers from the original cientific literature. As part of the evaluation process, students may be required to submit a written report or to give an oral presentation that summarizes and interprets their results.

Total workload: 16h/week during 14 weeks or 5-6 weeks full time (42h/week)

Can be done during the autumn or spring semster or in between two semesters.

Assessment methods

Continuous control

The mode of evaluation must be clearly defined and agreed between the student and the project mentor in advance.
Typically the mode of evaluation will include a written report and /or an oral presentation prepared and delivered by the student.

 

[Unless an exception is explicitly agreed between the student and the supervisor in charge,] the written report is due no later than the Friday of the first (spring) or second (autunm) week after the end of classes. [The supervisor may require an oral exam or other types of assesments depending on the project. In this case, he/she will inform the student at the beginning of the project, indicating the weighting of the different parts evaluated].

Supervision

Others Typically, the student will be matched with a secondary mentor  (this will usually be a senior PhD student or a Postdoctoral Fellow) who will take responsibility for the day-to-day supervision and training of the student.

Dans les plans d'études

  • Semestre: Automne
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'hiver)
  • Matière examinée: Project in physics of living systems
  • Projet: 8 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: obligatoire
  • Semestre: Printemps
  • Forme de l'examen: Pendant le semestre (session d'été)
  • Matière examinée: Project in physics of living systems
  • Projet: 8 Heure(s) hebdo x 14 semaines
  • Type: obligatoire

Semaine de référence

Cours connexes

Résultats de graphsearch.epfl.ch.