The goal of bioinformatics and biological physics is to find the right models to capture the essence of genomic and other biological data and provide quantitative predictive power that enables new questions to be posed. Statistical physics provides a mathematical framework and tools for finding and characterizing biological information. Students will learn the algorithmic tools to match genomic sequences, locate sequences that code for proteins or that control gene expression, identify the function of genes, or model protein folding. Format: lecture, three hours per week; laboratory, 1.5 hours per week. Evaluation will be based on weekly problem sets, programming assignments, a midterm exam and a final exam, all of which have a significant quantitative or formal reasoning component. Prerequisites: previous programming experience, Mathematics 105, and either Physics 142 or 151, Chemistry 153 or 155 or 256, or permission of instructor. Enrollment limit: 30 (expected: 20).