Biologists' skill at compiling data about complex systems married with physicists' skill of mathematically modeling nature transcends both specializations. The goal of biological physics is to find the right models to capture the essence of data and provide quantitative predictive power that enables new questions. Statistical physics provides a mathematical framework and tools for finding and characterizing biological information. Students will learn the bioinformatics 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. 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, math 105, one year of physics or biology or permission of the instructor. This is a quantitative/formal reasoning course.