Living things are the most beautiful and interesting physical systems known to humans. Much is not known about the nature of life and how it came to be. What is known, however, paints an amazing story which deserves the attention of anyone---scientists, artists, and others. In this class, I will tell a little of this tale. The point of view of the class will be inspired by physical and mathematical ideas, but no knowledge of either is required.

Using two simple examples, I'll illustrate, in roughest form, two techniques of modern physics: the use of Feynman diagrams to organize calculations and real space renormalization. Much of the physics will be gone from our toy examples, but in exchange we'll be able to make progress using simple mathematical tools. Minimal hand-waving.