NCBS announces the 4^th NCBS-Simons Annual Monsoon School.

Biology is essentially an interdisciplinary field and is in the forefront of modern physics and information sciences. The goal of the Monsoon School is two-fold.

First, it aims to expose undergraduate students from mathematics, physical sciences and engineering backgrounds to exciting problems in biology through research talks by biologists, physicists and computer scientists. For this, the topics that will be covered will include the structure and function of biomolecules; the organization of cells; the development of organisms from embryos to adults; the structure and function of the brain; populations and ecosystems; and aspects of evolution.

Second, it will also try to impart pedagogical instruction on a range of mathematical topics, so that students will be better prepared to enter Ph.D. programmes in computational biology, systems biology, biophysics, and related areas. The topics discussed for this will include biophysics and soft-matter physics (ranging from aspects of molecules to those of cells and tissues); information processing and decision making (at the level of cells or of the brain); stochastic processes in molecules or populations; genetic networks and feedback systems; biomechanics and robotics.

The workshop will be held from 15^th to 24^th June 2016.

Applications are invited from undergraduate students (including those doing a combined Bachelor-Master or BTech or equivalent degree). Applicants must demonstrate a good grounding in the physics/maths/chemistry/engineering-sciences etc. and a strong curiosity for biology. The deadline for submitting completed applications is midnight of 15^th April 2016. Selected candidates will be informed by 1^st May 2016.

If you wish to apply, please visit http://theory.ncbs.res.in/physlife2016

If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to physlife2016@ncbs.res.in