Random Walks in Biology: New and Expanded Edition

by Howard C. Berg

This book is a lucid, straightforward introduction to the concepts and techniques of statistical physics that students of biology, biochemistry, and biophysics must know. It provides a sound basis for understanding random motions of molecules, subcellular particles, or cells, or of processes that depend on such motion or are markedly affected by it. Readers do not need to understand thermodynamics in order to acquire a knowledge of the physics involved in diffusion, sedimentation, electrophoresis, chromatography, and cell motility--subjects that become lively and immediate when the author discusses them in terms of random walks of individual particles.

Genres: Biology, Science, Textbooks, Physics, Mathematics, Biography, Academic

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Rohit · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books for the introductory mathematics required for modelling many biological concepts. Very simple language and figures. Examples and illustrated cases are very informative. Recommended reading for the researchers in their early stages of the research.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little overly brief, but packed with insight. Would like to come back to it when a bit more of my math expertise is restored.

[Alex Tung · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s good that this book isn’t super long, I was a little surprised how much of it was just walking through rudimentary mathematical equations, it’s certainly written with more of a focus on mathematical proofs rather than broader discussions on the applications, which has its uses academically but I was a little disappointed in that regard.

Certain elements are over explained while some are under explained but all in all, for a shorter read it left me with a much richer understanding of biophysics so it’s worth skimming if you’re studying molecular bio / biochemistry.

(posted 09/2026 edited 10/2026)