Introduction to Quantum Biology Although it is well known that the rules of quantum mechanics govern the shapes of atoms and molecules, and how they interact when they are close to each other, it is not clear whether the properties of the quanta that distinguish their dynamics from those of classical particles contribute meaningfully to biological functions. In this course, we will look for common mechanisms in recent studies of magnetoreception in migratory birds, efficient transport of energy in photosynthetic bacteria, enzyme function and the action of anesthetics in human brains cells that support the thesis that biology has evolved molecular structures that can sustain quantum coherent excitations for long enough times and across large enough regions to impact essential functions.  In this interdisciplinary course, we will cover necessary terms from chemistry, biology and physics. (MATH 121 required, BIOL 145 or CHEM 103 or PHYS 109 recommended)  Siegfried Bleher has a PhD in physics (nonlinear dynamics), completed two postdoctoral appointments in computational transition state dynamics and quantum chaos, and has taught physics since 1994, most recently at Middlebury College. His current research is the nonlinear dynamics of photosynthetic molecules such as the FMO complex./

Calculus II A continuation of MATH 0121, may be elected by first-year students who have had an introduction to analytic geometry and calculus in secondary school. Topics include a brief review of natural logarithm and exponential functions, calculus of the elementary transcendental functions, techniques of integration, improper integrals, applications of integrals including problems of finding volumes, infinite series and Taylor's theorem, polar coordinates, ordinary differential equations.

Mathematical Foundations of Computing In this course we will provide an introduction to the mathematical foundations of computer science, with an emphasis on formal reasoning. Topics will include propositional and predicate logic, sets, functions, and relations; basic number theory; mathematical induction and other proof methods; combinatorics, probability, and recurrence relations; graph theory; and models of computation. (CSCI 0145 or CSCI 0150)

Introductory Mechanics This calculus-based course examines fundamental topics in motion and mechanics, including inertia, force, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, linear momentum, collisions, gravitation, rotational motion, torque, angular momentum, and oscillatory motion, emphasizing applications in physics and engineering.  Laboratory explorations of topics covered in lecture will build students’ physical intuition and problem solving skills.

Siegfried Bleher

Reviews and ratings for Siegfried Bleher at Middlebury College.Siegfried Bleher teaches Intro to Quantum Biology, Calculus II, Math Foundations of Computing and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Siegfried Bleher good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

This was a very difficult class, the professor went through the content very quickly and made it very hard to tackle the problems on the homework and tests. The content of the lectures was okay but the explanations on how to solve the problems were lacking immensely.

I wouldn't recommend having this professor while taking his class. I wouldn't pay much attention to the lecture because he would be confused with his own thinking in class and even cat-called people in class. I ended up passing his class by just following the notes and doing my research in my own time. I took the class without the professor 

A hard class, but I did not try hard enough. The test were really hard and the homework was a lot but not too much. Missing a class was horrible you would just be extremely far behind. But Bleher was great!