Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Physics of Biological Processes
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, English
Teaching staff
Sr. GONZÁLEZ GONZÁLEZ, Julio
Sr. GARCÍA GONZÁLEZ, Marcos
Sra. PUYALTO DE PABLO, Paloma
Introduction
The physics of biological processes connects biology with physics. From a knowledge of the functioning of a biological process or the physiology of the organ or system that performs it, the associated area of physics is revealed, its concepts, parameters and laws that are applied.
The course provides students with a general, 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. The physical phenomena (sound, vision, ionising radiation, etc.) that have given rise to the technology of medical application are explained in order to understand their basic principles, methodology, the tools that they provide and, where appropriate, the associated basic protection standards.
Pre-course requirements
Objectives
- To foster a comprehensive understanding of physical principles applied to fundamental biological systems.
- To facilitate the connection between physical concepts and their medical applications in fields such as vision, hearing, diagnostic imaging, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiotherapy.
- To promote knowledge about ionizing radiation, bioelectricity, and magnetism, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills in the medical field.
- "Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 3, 9, 10, 12 and 17, by promoting health, human well-being, biomedical innovation, social equity, and social justice for scientific and social progress."
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- CN05 - Identify the physical processes that govern the physiological processes of an organism.
- CP02 - Apply scientific methodology to interpret practical or theoretical data by evaluating situations and results from a critical and constructive point of view.
- CP05 - Apply biological foundations in the search for practical solutions to health problems, following ethical standards and scientific rigour and respecting fundamental equal rights between men and women, and the promotion of human rights and the values inherent in a peaceful society of democratic values that includes inclusive, non-discriminatory language without stereotypes.
- HB03 - Solve problems within the studies of Health Sciences by applying the appropriate statistical tools.
Learning outcomes of the subject
At the end of of the course, students should be able to:
- Apply fundamental physics concepts to solve problems in biological systems at different levels of organization, identifying clear connections between both fields.
- Analyze the relationship between physical and biological processes, recognizing the physical laws that govern them and the key parameters that ensure their functioning.
- Interpret and use mathematical expressions associated with physical processes as tools to explain complex biological phenomena.
- Link medical diagnostic and therapeutic technologies (such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and radiology) to the underlying physical principles, evaluating their impact on biological systems.
- Identify and explain how physical principles underpin medical devices designed to correct or improve biological systems with structural or functional alterations, such as visual or auditory correction systems.
- Evaluate the effects of physical phenomena on biological systems used in medical technologies, proposing appropriate protection measures against ionizing and non-ionizing radiation when necessary.
Syllabus
Unit 1. 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. Physics of the respiratory system. Basic description of the system. Breathing and interaction with the external environment. Respiratory mechanics. Surface tension in the pulmonary medium, characteristics and effects. alveolar diffusion.
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 transducer.
Unit 3. 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 4. Physics of ionizing radiation. Basic theoretical base. Interaction radiation matter. Effects. Detection. Basic applications in medical diagnosis and therapy technologies. Radiological protection against ionizing radiation.
Unit 5. Physics of bioelectric and magnetic phenomena. Review of concepts of electrostatics, direct and alternating current. Review of concepts of magnetism. Basic applications in diagnostic medical technologies: nuclear magnetic resonance, fundamentals, equipment, types of basic images and spectrography.
Practical classes. Separated into five thematic areas: ionizing radiation, optics, gases and fluids, mechanical waves and sound, electricity.
In all the planned activities there are two types of common activities
• Familiarization with the measurement equipment used in each activity.
• Use of mathematical tools to determine the uncertainties associated with measurements in the laboratory.
Area of ionizing radiation.
Firstly, the radioactive sources used in the practical classes are of very low activity, much lower than the consideration of “exempt source” according to current legislation, isolated to avoid direct skin contact with them and compatible with teaching use.
• Determination of the background radiation level of the laboratory.
• Determination of the relationship between the intensity of exposure and the time of exposure (element of radiological protection).
• Determination of the relationship between the intensity of exposure and the distance to the radioactive source (element of radiological protection).
• Absorption of gamma radiation by material media (shielding as an element of radiological protection)
Optics area.
• Verification of Snell's law and determination of the limiting angle.
• Determination of the refractive index of the glass that forms a lens.
• Elements of a concave mirror. Elements of converging lenses and determination of the equation of thin lenses.
• Verification of the causes of the most common visual defects: myopia and hyperopia.
• Determination of the diameter of a human hair by diffraction of laser light.
Gases and fluids area.
• Determination of the Boyle-Mariotte law of ideal gases.
• Determination of the surface tension of a liquid.
• Verification of Archimedes' principle and determination of the density of material by complete immersion in a fluid.
• Determination of lung volumes.
Mechanical waves and sound area.
• Determination of the relationship between the wavelength and frequency parameters of a mechanical wave through a computer simulation. Obtaining the propagation speed of the mechanical wave.
• Determination of the speed of sound in the laboratory through stationary waves.
• Sound sensation levels, use of the sound level meter.
• Determination of the relationship between sound intensity and distance to the sound source.
Electricity area.
• Determination of the relationship between the magnitude of the electric capacity and the area of the electrodes of a capacitor or flat geometry capacitor. Determination of the relationship between the magnitude of the electric capacitance and the separation distance between the electrodes of a condenser or flat geometry capacitor. In both cases, a computer simulation is used.
• Verification of Ohm's law through the relationship between the intensity of the direct electric current that passes through a resistor and the electric potential difference between its ends. Use of this relationship to determine the value of an unknown electrical resistance.
• Study of the charge and discharge of a condenser or capacitor to determine the time constant. During this activity, the teacher will explain the relationship between the time constant, the heart rate and the pacemaker system.
• Study of the serial and parallel association of electrical resistors.
• Study of the serial and parallel association of electrical capacitors.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
Fully in-person modality in the classroom
The teaching resources used in this subject are as follows:
1. Lectures - 26 hours: Presentation of a theoretical topic by the teaching staff with audiovisual support based on presentations projected from the computer. Students will have access to the content prior to the lecture through the Moodle platform. Attendance is not mandatory but highly recommended.
In addition, basic physics and mathematics capsules are carried out at the beginning of the subject. These are brief presentations or video format explanations of basic concepts developed during high school that are essential to know before attending the lectures.
2. Case Method (CM) - 24 hours: Depending on the topic to be addressed, problem-solving activities or activities for specific development of areas outlined in the lectures are initially proposed. In the classroom and for a short time in the first hour, the problem-solving technique or the topic will be explained with the help of the available audiovisual support. Time will be provided for students to complete the activity. Secondly, mini-projects will be carried out in groups, briefly explaining the relationship between some biological or health aspect and physics that are related to the lectures of the general topic. The topics will be suggested by the teaching staff. The works will have the format that the students decide (document, article, video, etc.) and will be brief. They will be submitted for evaluation on a date determined and close to the end of the general topic. For the preparation of these works, students will have the second hour of the CM. The evaluation will be joint: 50% by the students, 50% by the teaching staff.
Students who are not in their first enrollment are exempt from presenting the projects (the grade obtained in the first enrollment will be taken). Attendance is mandatory except for students who are not in their first enrollment.
3. Practical Classes - 10 hours: Familiarization of students with the basic techniques of work and handling of measuring equipment in the field of physics. Laboratory demonstration of some aspects raised in the lectures. Consolidation through practice of the most important aspects covered in the theoretical classes. Students are organized in small groups for the development of the practice. Each group must carry out the work and activities of the practice, which will be submitted at the end of each practice for evaluation.
4. Continuous Assessment Exercises (CA): As an evaluative element of comparable importance to the final exam, the lectures, and the CM, activities such as problems, questionnaires, or other types of tasks related to the topic developed in the lecture will be proposed each week. There are three types. The first are mandatory and are related to the basic capsules. The second are mandatory numerical problem-solving exercises. The third are also numerical problem-solving exercises, but they are voluntary. The works are individual submissions and must be submitted through the Moodle platform on the date established in Moodle. These works will be evaluated and have the minimum grade required to pass the subject.
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
Attendance
Attendance to master classes will not be mandatory.
Attendance to the case methods and practices is mandatory except for students who are not in the first call. Non-attendance, due to health reasons or force majeure, must be justified in writing. The non-justification of the absence or cause not considered of health or force majeure will lead to receiving a grade of 0 in the work of the case method or the corresponding practical session.
A control of attendance by signature will be carried out in the methods of the case and in the practices.
Presentation of works and evaluation
Case methods
The papers corresponding to the case methods will be evaluated as long as they are submitted within the established deadline and in the established format.
Students who are not in the first call will not have to present the work, the grade obtained in the first call is kept.
No minimum grade is established to access the continuous assessment. The grade obtained will be saved for subsequent calls, if applicable.
Practices
The works corresponding to the practices will be evaluated whenever they are presented within the established term and in the established format.
Students who are not in the first call will not have to present the work, the grade obtained in the first call is kept.
No minimum grade is established to access the continuous assessment. The note obtained will be saved for subsequent calls, if applicable.
Continuous assessment exercises
The works corresponding to the continuous evaluation exercises will be evaluated whenever they are presented within the established term and in the established format, otherwise they will have a grade of 0.
All students, regardless of the call they are in, will have to present these works. A minimum grade of 5 is established to access the continuous assessment. In this case, the note obtained will be saved for subsequent calls, if applicable.
Obtaining a grade lower than 5 will not allow passing the subject in the first call and will force the student to take a final problem exam in the second call. Even if you cannot pass the subject in the first call, the student must take the final multiple choice exam.
Midterm exam
All students, regardless of the call they are in, will have to take the partial exam.
This exam does not release material.
In case of no presentation in the exam, the grade assigned to the student will be zero, however, the student may take the final test exam of the subject.
It will consist of a multiple choice test of 30 questions or simple calculation exercises with four possible answers per question and only one correct answer (correct answer 1 point, incorrect answer –0.33 points). Available time 45 minutes.
During the execution of the exam, students will not be able to have forms, notes, textbooks, sources of electronic support or any type of external help. Violation of this rule will lead to expulsion from the exam, the assignment of a grade 0 in the exam and communication of the fact to the direction of the grade. If they will be able to have a non-programmable scientific calculator.
No minimum grade is established to qualify for continuous assessment.
Final exam first call test
All students, regardless of the call they are in, will have to take the exam.
In case of no presentation, the grade assigned to the student will be zero.
It will consist of a multiple choice test of 50 questions or simple calculation exercises with four possible answers per question and only one correct answer (correct answer 1 point, incorrect answer -0.33 points) that will cover all the contents developed during the semester. Time available 60 minutes.
During the execution of the exam, students will not be able to have forms, notes, textbooks, sources of electronic support or any type of external help. Violation of this rule will lead to expulsion from the exam, the assignment of a grade 0 to the exam and communication of the fact to the direction of the grade. If they will be able to have a non-programmable scientific calculator.
A minimum score of 5 is established to access continuous assessment. Obtaining a grade lower than 5 will not allow passing the subject in the first call and will force the student to take a final test exam in the second call.
Final exam second call test
All students with a grade of less than 5 in the final exam test of the first call must take the test exam of the second call.
In case of no presentation, the grade assigned to the student will be zero.
It will consist of a multiple choice test of 50 questions or simple calculation exercises with four possible answers per question and only one correct answer (correct answer 1 point, incorrect answer -0.33 points) that will cover all the contents developed during the semester. Time available 60 minutes.
During the execution of the exam, students will not be able to have forms, notes, textbooks, sources of electronic support or any type of external help. Violation of this rule will lead to expulsion from the exam, the assignment of a grade 0 to the exam and communication of the fact to the direction of the grade. If they will be able to have a non-programmable scientific calculator.
The minimum mark of 5 is established to access the continuous evaluation of the second call. Obtaining a grade lower than 5 will not allow passing the subject in the second call and will force the student to take future calls.
Final exam of second call problems
All students with a grade of less than 5 in the continuous assessment exercises must take the second call problem exam.
In case of no presentation, the grade assigned to the student will be zero.
It will consist of a written test in which three problems corresponding to a combination of the problems of the continuous assessment exercises carried out during the course will have to be solved. Time available 60 minutes.
During the execution of the exam, students may have a form provided by the teacher. They will not be able to have notes, textbooks, sources of electronic support or any type of external help. Violation of this rule will lead to expulsion from the exam, the assignment of a grade 0 to the exam and communication of the fact to the direction of the grade. If they will be able to have a non-programmable scientific calculator.
The minimum mark of 5 is established to access the continuous evaluation of the second call. Obtaining a grade lower than 5 will not allow passing the subject in the second call and will force the student to take future calls.
Final mark of the continuous evaluation of the students in the first call or odd call:
Necessary conditions to access the continuous evaluation:
- Obtain a grade equal to or greater than 5 in the continuous assessment exercises. Otherwise, the student must take the second call problems exam.
- Obtain a grade equal to or greater than 5 in the final test-type exam of the first call. Otherwise, the student must take the final exam test of the second call.
The final grade for the course for those students who meet the necessary conditions to access continuous assessment will be calculated by making the weighted sum of the following grades:
- Mark of the final exam type test (always mark >=5) with a weighting of 30%.
- Mark of the continuous assessment exercises (always mark >=5) with weighting of 25%.
- Mark of the partial exam (any mark) with a weighting of 10%.
- Practice note (any note) with a weighting of 20%.
- Mark of the exercises of the case methods (any mark) with a weighting of 15%.
Final mark of the continuous evaluation of the students in the second call or even call:
If the student has obtained a grade equal to or greater than 5 in the final exam test of the first call and in the problem exam of the second call, the final grade for the subject will be calculated by making the weighted sum of the following grades:
- Mark of the final test type exam of the first call (always grade >=5) with a weighting of 30%.
- Mark of the exam of problems of the second call (always mark >=5) with weighting of 25%.
- Mark of the partial exam (any mark) with a weighting of 10%.
- Practice note (any note) with a weighting of 20%.
- Mark of the exercises of the case methods (any mark) with a weighting of 15%.
If the student has obtained a grade equal to or greater than 5 in the continuous assessment exercises of the first call and in the final exam test of the second call, the final grade for the subject will be calculated by making the weighted sum of the following grades:
- Mark of the final test type exam of the second call (always grade >=5) with a weighting of 30%.
- Grade of the continuous assessment exercises of the first call (always grade >=5) with a weighting of 25%.
- Mark of the partial exam (any mark) with a weighting of 10%.
- Practice note (any note) with a weighting of 20%.
- Mark of the exercises of the case methods (any mark) with a weighting of 15%.
If the student has obtained a grade equal to or greater than 5 in the final test exam of the second call and in the final exam of problems of the second call, the final grade for the subject will be calculated by making the weighted sum of the following grades:
- Mark of the final test type exam of the second call (always grade >=5) with a weighting of 30%.
- Mark of the exam of problems of the second call (always mark >=5) with weighting of 25%.
- Mark of the partial exam (any mark) with a weighting of 10%.
- Practice note (any note) with a weighting of 20%.
- Mark of the exercises of the case methods (any mark) with a weighting of 15%.
If the student does not pass the grade 5 in one of the second call exams, they cannot pass the subject in the second call. The mark of the partial exam or the mark of the continuous evaluation exercises will not be saved for future calls.
Students in second or subsequent call:
The notes of the case methods and practices will be saved, although whenever they wish, students can repeat the realization of the same and obtain a new note.
Student attitude and behavior
Any attitude of disrespect, decorum and coexistence of a student or group of students towards the professor or other students or university personnel, as well as the improper use of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, tablets or laptops, filming of the professor or of the students without explicit consent and the use of these devices for recreational and non-educational purposes, may lead to the expulsion of the student from the activity being carried out, the grade of 0 in the task that is related to the activity and the communication of the situation in the direction of the degree.
Bibliography and resources
- H.D.Young, R.A.Freedman. Sears y Zemansky Física Universitaria, vol 1 y 2. Décimo tercera edición. Ed. Pearson 2013.
- R.A.Serway, J.W.Jewwett,Jr.Física para ciencias e ingeniería, vol 1 y 2. Séptima Edición. Cengage Learning 2008.
- Rachel A. Powsner & Edward R. Powsner. Essential Nuclear Medicine Physics. Second Edition. Ed. Blackwell Publising, 2008
- Steward C. Bushong. Manual de radiologia par técnicos, física, biología y protección radiológica. Octava edición. 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
- Jearl Walker. Halliday & Resnick. Fundamentals of Physics, 10th edition. Ed Wiley, 2014
- P. A. Tipler. Física, tomo I y II. Editoria Reverté.
- D. Jou, J.E. Llebot y C. Pérez. Física para las ciencias de la vida. Segunda edición. Ed. Mc Graw Hill 2008.
The audiovisual and web resources recommended in each topic will be indicated in a document that will be posted on each topic.
Evaluation period
- E1 28/05/2026 I3 18:00h
- E2 26/06/2026 I3 14:00h