Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment (PHYC10006)

Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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This subject aims to develop students’ understanding of the physics principles underpinning biological and environmental systems. It is designed for students with a sound background in physics, whose interests lie mainly in the biological sciences. Topics include:
Fluids: blood pressure and the circulatory system, breathing and respiration (pressure in fluids, fluid flow, viscosity).
Thermal physics: heating and cooling, energy balance of living organisms, ion movement across membranes (temperature and thermal energy, phase changes, heat transfer mechanisms, first law of thermodynamics, diffusion).
Electricity and magnetism: bioelectricity, nerve conduction, electrical safety, power transmission, synchrotron, biological effects of electromagnetic fields (electric charge and field, electric potential, capacitance, electric circuits, resistance, magnetic fields and forces, Faraday’s law of induction).
Atomic physics and lasers: fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, laser surgery (structure of the atom, photons, spectroscopy, interaction of light with matter);
Radiation: radiation safety, therapeutic uses of radiation (the atomic nucleus, isotopes, nuclear decay and radiation, physical and biological half-life, ionising radiation); and
Imaging: modern biomedical imaging (X-rays, CT-scans and angiography, ultrasound imaging, positron emission tomography).

Intended learning outcomes

To enable students to understand the importance of physical principles to biological and environmental sciences, and develop their capacity to:



  • understand and explain the physics principles of fluids, thermal physics, electricity and magnetism, atomic, radiation and imaging physics;
  • apply these principles using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations and problems in the biological and environmental sciences; and
  • acquire experimental data using a range of measurement instruments and interpret these data.

Generic skills

A student who completes this subject should be able to:

  • explain their understanding of physics principles and applications lucidly, both in writing and orally;
  • acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations;
  • participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions, laboratory and study groups;
  • think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
  • manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular practical and tutorial classes, tests and the examination.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Physics and Mathematics prerequisites exist for this subject.

Physics

  • Study score of 25 or more in VCE Physics 3/4 or equivalent

Or one of:

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
PHYC10001 Physics 1: Advanced
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10003 Physics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYC10005 Physics 1: Fundamentals
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Mathematics

One of

  • Study score of 25 or more in VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 or equivalent
  • Admission into the Bachelor of Science

OR both of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST10014 Foundation Mathematics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10015 Foundation Mathematics 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Students may only gain credit for one of

  • PHYC10002 Physics 2: Advanced
  • PHYC10004 Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology
  • PHYC10006 Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment
  • PHYC10007 Physics for Biomedicine

 

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Assessment

Additional details

Ongoing assessment of practical work during the semester (25%); ten weekly assignments (10 x 1.5% = 15%); a 3-hour written examination in the examination period (60%).

Satisfactory completion of practical work is necessary to pass the subject (i.e. attendance and submission of work for at least 80% of workshop sessions together with a result for assessed work of at least 50%).

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorRoger Rassool
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; 28 hours of practical work (8 x three hour laboratory sessions and up to 30 minutes of pre-laboratory activity) and 10 weekly assignments of 30 minutes each during the semester.
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018
    Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018
    Census date31 August 2018
    Last date to withdraw without fail21 September 2018
    Assessment period ends16 November 2018

    Semester 2 contact information

    Director of First Year Studies

    Email: dfys@physics.unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Additional delivery details

This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Either:

    Physics for Global Scientists and Engineers, Volume 1, 2nd Edition R. Serway, J. Jewett, K. Wilson and K. Wilson, Cengage Learning: ISBN 9780170355513

    Or:

    Physics for the Life Sciences 3E, Martin Zinke-Allmang, Ken Sills, Reza Nejat and Eduardo Galiano-Riveros, Cengage Learning: ISBN 9780176558697

  • Subject notes

    This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseBachelor of Biomedicine
    Informal specialisationSelective subjects for B-BMED
    Informal specialisationScience-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 9 April 2025