Oral examination (written exam if there are a large number of participants), exercise points can be included as a grade bonus in the exam assessment.

Nowadays, genome sequences are available for numerous organisms. Based on these blueprints of life, we can now capture all components of biological systems, describe their interactions, and map them into networks to describe the interactions of all cellular processes. These networks form the basis for computer models whose simulation enables predictions of observable phenomena. This lecture introduces the fundamental concepts of systems biology. It is aimed equally at bachelor students of mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics, and biology since systems biology connects all of these disciplines and brings them together in their larger context. We learn how biological networks can be constructed and modeled. We will cover how the characteristic properties of these models can be determined and used to derive essential statements about system behavior up to the phenotype. Basic knowledge of linear algebra and biochemistry is a prerequisite for participation. By applying mathematical concepts to biological problems, this course prepares students for the irreversible trend of an ever-increasing proportion of mathematical and computational content in biology education.

Students acquire basic knowledge in the theory and application of systems biology:
- Introduction to the basic concepts of biological networks, emphasizing metabolic networks.
- Knowledge of the basic structure of systems biology models, biophysical and biochemical constraints, and implicit assumptions.
- Practical experience in building and analyzing systems biology models.

1. Bernhard Ø. Palsson. 2006. Systems Biology: Properties of Reconstructed Networks. Cambridge University Press, New York, ISBN 978-0521859035.
2. Bernhard Ø. Palsson. 2015. Systems Biology: Constraint-based Reconstruction and Analysis. Cambridge University Press, New York, ISBN 978-1107038851.
3. David S. Goodsell. 2009. The Machinery of Life. 2. Ausgabe, Springer-Verlag, ISBN 978-0387849249.
4. Jan Koolman und Klaus-Heinrich Roehm. Color Atlas of Biochemistry. 2. Ausgabe, Thieme, 2005.