Universitat Internacional de Catalunya - BarcelonaPhysics of Biological Processes
Matter: PHYSICS AND STATISTICS
Main language of instruction: Spanish
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Head instructor
The physics of biological processes connects biology with physics. From the knowledge of the functioning of a biological process or the physiology of the organ or system that performs it, it is shown which area of physics is associated, the concepts, parameters and laws that are applied.
The course provides students with a general and basic knowledge of the biological process, the physiology of the organ or system (if necessary) and the physical laws involved. The different topics are developed so that the student has a basic descriptive knowledge of the underlying physical phenomenon and how it affects the biological process. Those physical phenomena (sound, vision, ionizing radiation, etc.) that have given rise to technology of medical application are developed to know its basic principles, methodology, tools that they provide, and where appropriate, basic protection standards are also indicated. .
The main objective of this subject is to make available to the student the knowledge, characteristics, and peculiarities of the physics of biological processes, as well as the damages and benefits that can determine us.
Specific objectives
• Connect biological processes with the physical processes that govern them.
• Recognize in the basic biological systems which physical laws intervene, which parameters are important and how they are related to ensure the operation of the process.
• To become familiar with the mathematical expressions that govern the physical processes so as to be able to explain the biological process through its use.
• Relate basic diagnostic or medical therapy technologies to their physical principles and their impact on the biological system (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, radiology, etc.)
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• Relate the physical concepts with those correction and improvement equipment that are applied to biological systems that have structural or functional defects (visual, hearing correction systems, etc.)
• Show the effects that physical phenomena used in medical technology can have on biological systems and, where appropriate, what protection mechanisms should be applied (protection against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, etc.)
Among others, the student will be able to:
• Know how to apply the principles of physics and mathematics related to basic biological processes.
• Develop the organization and planning capacity appropriate to the moment.
• To be able to teamwork.
• Be able to carry out autonomous learning.
At the end of the course, the student:
• Understands the basic concepts of physics and applies them to solving biological problems at different levels of organization.
Unit 1. Physics of ionizing radiation. Basic theoretical base. Interaction radiation matter. Effects. Detection. Basic applications in medical diagnostic and therapy technologies. Radiological protection against ionizing radiation.
Unit 2. Physics of vision. Description of the human vision system. Nature of light. Light phenomena. Geometric optics, optical instruments and photometry. Resolution power. Visual defects and correction. The eye as a transducer.
Unit 3. Gradient concept. Types of gradients (chemical, electrical, electrochemical, osmotic and pressure), phenomena and associated physical laws.
Unit 4. Physics of the circulatory system. Basic description of the system. Principles of fluid statics and dynamics. Laminar and turbulent flow. Application to the vascular system. Effects of gravity on the vascular system.
Unit 5. Physics of the respiratory system. Basic description of the system. Breathing and interaction with the external environment. Respiratory mechanics. Superficial tension in the pulmonary environment, characteristics and effects. Honeycomb diffusion.
Unit 6. Physics of hearing and phonation. Description of the auditory system and the phonation system. Mechanics of hearing and phonation. Physics of wave phenomena. Physics of sound waves. Sound characteristics. Sensation levels, decibel system, audiometry and audible spectrum. Medical applications: ultrasound and shock waves.
Unit 7. Physics of bioelectric and magnetic phenomena. Review of concepts of electrostatics, direct and alternating current. Review of concepts of magnetism. Basic applications in medical diagnostic technologies: nuclear magnetic resonance, foundations, equipment, types of basic images and spectrography.
The teaching resources used in this subject are the following:
Master Class (CM): Two-hour presentation (with a 10-minute break) of a theoretical topic by the teacher with audio-visual support based on presentations projected from the computer. The student will have the contents in advance through the internal computer network.
Case Method (MC): Depending on the topic to be dealt with, problem solving activities or specific development activities for areas enunciated in the master classes will be proposed. Work in small groups will be encouraged. Students will know in advance in which group they are assigned, what issues or problems they are assigned. In class and for a short time, they will present the resolution of the problem or topic with the help of the available audio-visual support. The students will deliver the works for their evaluation.
Practices (P): Familiarization of the students with the basic techniques of work and manipulation of measurement equipment in the field of physics. Demonstration in the laboratory of some aspects raised in the master classes. Consolidation by practicing the most important aspects covered in the theoretical classes. The students are organized in small groups for the development of the practice. Each group must present a brief written report (according to the model discussed in class), in electronic format on the development of the practice before the next practice.
Virtual Education (EV): Certain contents, either due to their impossibility of being acquired by other means, or due to an eminently electronic medium, will be placed in a location accessible to students from any computer. For each topic, they will be provided with a list of recommended readings as well as audiovisual resources available on the internet and considered of interest to complement the theoretical classes or the case methods.
Attendance to lectures is not compulsory.
Attendance at case methods and practices is mandatory. Non-attendance, due to health or force majeure, must be justified in writing.
An attendance control will be carried out by signature in the case methods and practices. 5
Students in first call:
The final grade for the course will be calculated by adding the grades of:
• 10% of the final grade will consist of the evaluation of attendance and participation in class, case methods and practices. Class participation is understood as a positive and active attitude, the contribution of new and interesting concepts, as well as answering questions posed by the teacher or by other students in class.
• Practice note: 20% (compulsory attendance to pass the total of the subject, presentation of all the reports corresponding to the practices, unjustified non-attendance or non-presentation of the reports will penalize the loss of the overall mark of the practices).
• Note of the case methods: 20% (compulsory attendance to pass the total of the subject, presentation of all the works corresponding to the case methods, unjustified non-attendance or non-presentation of the works will penalize the loss of the global note of the case methods).
• Exam note: 50%.
o Exam: first mid term (March) and second mid term or final (June).
* First mid term examination. In early March. It will consist of a test type test (penalize errors) and a written test of topic development or problem solving. The grade of the test and the written part have the same weighting Time for the examination approx. 50 minutes.
-If the first mid term exam is passed (grade greater than or equal to 5):
- This knowledge is exonerated from the final exam.
- The June exam will correspond to the second part (subject taught from the date immediately after the completion of the first partial).
If the mid term exam is not passed (grade less than 5, including 4.99):
- There is no exoneration of content.
- The June exam will have two parts:
Second partial mid term (same time for all students)
Repetition of first midterm test (modified). Extra time will be available for this.
*Segond midterm. Begining of June. It will consist of a test type test (penalize errors) and a written test of topic development or problem solving. The test note and the written part have the same weight. Exam time approx. 50 minutes.
- Repetition of the first miderm in case of not overcoming this one in March. Exam time approx. 40 minutes.
The final mark of the exam will be the average of the two midterms or the second midterm and repetition of the first as long as the grade of each of the two partials is greater than or equal to 5. If the grade of one of the partials does not exceed On 5 the student must take a second call for an exam with the same format but with the overall subject.
Students in second or subsequent call:
The note of participation and attitude in class, case methods and practices will be saved, although whenever they wish, students may repeat class attendance and obtain a new note. On the other hand, students in second call will take a global final exam. The final grade for the course will be prepared following the criteria of the first call 7
General points to keep in mind about the evaluation system:
1. In the second part exam, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in order to be able to do average with the continuous assessment notes (case methods, attitude, practice and part time).
2. In the exam of the second part and recovery of the first part, a minimum grade of 5 must be obtained in each one in order to be able to do average with the continuous assessment notes (case methods, attitude, practice and part).
3. The test part of the exams will be questions with 4 answer options, counting +1 the correct answers and -0.25 the errors.
4. In the exams, the questions, topics to be developed or problems in their great majority will be related to the matter explained directly in the classroom, both in the master classes and in the case methods, as well as in the practicals. However, there will be a minority of questions related to the recommended bibliography, articles and recommended audiovisual material.
5. Class participation is understood as the contribution of interesting ideas or the raising of pertinent questions that help improve the quality of the session, whether it is a master class or case methods.
6. Attendance to class:
• Regular attendance at theory classes is recommended.
• Attendance at master classes is not compulsory, but attendees will have to abide by the rules indicated by the teachers.
• Attendance at case methods is mandatory as it is the reason for evaluation. In order to be evaluated in this part of the subject, it is mandatory to present the corresponding works.
• Attendance at practices is mandatory as it is a reason for evaluation. In order to be evaluated in this part of the subject, it is mandatory to present the corresponding reports.
• Failure to attend the case methods or practices must be due to health or greater causes and must be justified.
Misuse of electronic devices such as mobiles, tablets or laptops may lead to expulsion from class. As improper use is understood the recording and dissemination of both students and teachers during the different lessons as well as the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes.
• Jearl Walker. Halliday & Resnick. Fundamentals of Physics, 10th edition. Ed Wiley, 2014
• P. A. Tipler. Physics, Volume I and II. Editoria Reverté
• D. Jou, J.E. Llebot and C. Pérez. Physics for life sciences. Second edition. Ed. Mc Graw Hill 2008
• Rachel A. Powsner & Edward R. Powsner. Essential Nuclear Medicine Physics. Second Edition. Ed. Blackwell Publising, 2008
• Steward C. Bushong. Radiology manual for technicians, physics, biology and radiological protection. Eighth edition. Ed Elsevier-Mosby.
• PR. Hoskins, A. Thrush, K. Martin, T A. Whittingham. Diagnostics Ultrasound, Physics and Equipment. Ed. Greenwich Medical Media Limited, 2003
• Steward C. Bushong. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Physical and Biological Principles, 3rd. Ed Mosby, 2003
The audiovisual and web resources recommended in each topic will be indicated in a document that will be posted on each topic.
E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session: