2024
Biophsics
Name: Biophsics
Code: FIS11458L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Physics
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
The objective of the unit is to give the students the concepts of basic physics, and apply them to understanding biophysical/biomedical phenomena. Develop theoretical skills in understanding biophysical concepts. Develop practical skills for the resolution of problems and for carrying out laboratory experiments. Promote group work.
Contents
Mechanics: movement and Newton's laws, ork and energy, rotational movement. Physics of continuous media: density, elasticity, and mechanics of fluids.
Thermodynamics: temperature, heat, expansion, heat transfer, diffusion, thermoregulation. Waves physics: mechanical waves, sound and the bioacoustics of the ear, ultrasonic waves. Electricity: the electric field, the electric potential of cellular membranes, electric currents, conduction through nerve cells, physiological effects of currents. Light: the nature of light, the microscope, biophysics of vision. Física atómica e nuclear: nature of the atom, the electron microscope, X-rays and Cat scanners, lasers, radioactivity and radiation therapy, the biological effects of radiation, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Thermodynamics: temperature, heat, expansion, heat transfer, diffusion, thermoregulation. Waves physics: mechanical waves, sound and the bioacoustics of the ear, ultrasonic waves. Electricity: the electric field, the electric potential of cellular membranes, electric currents, conduction through nerve cells, physiological effects of currents. Light: the nature of light, the microscope, biophysics of vision. Física atómica e nuclear: nature of the atom, the electron microscope, X-rays and Cat scanners, lasers, radioactivity and radiation therapy, the biological effects of radiation, and magnetic resonance imaging.
Teaching Methods
The teaching involves theoretical lectures and problem classes. The problem classes function in a complementary manner to the theoretical classes, applying the lectured material to concrete practical situations. The evaluation of the theoretical component will be done by two tests covering approximately half the material in each or, alternatively, by one examination covering all of the lectured material.
Teaching Staff (2023/2024 )
- David Leonard Berry [responsible]
