Physics for Biomedicine (PHYC10007)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 2
Director of First Year Studies
Email: dfys@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject will develop students' appreciation of the importance of physical principles to biomedicine as well as their understanding of the principles underpinning human structure and function, medical diagnostics and therapeutics. Lectures for this subject contain an extensive range of live in-lecture demonstrations where many of the topics are demonstrated with experiments using apparatus from the School of Physics collection.
The subject provides an introduction to:
Mechanics: in the context of human and animal movement (introduction to Newton's laws of motion, energy transfer and transformation);
Waves: the basis of modern physics including lasers;
Fluids: blood flow, respiration (pressure in fluids, fluid flow, viscosity);
Thermal physics: energy balance of living organisms (thermal energy, temperature, heating processes, first law of thermodynamics);
Electricity and magnetism: bioelectricity, nerve conduction, electrical safety (forces between electric charges, electric circuits, resistance, capacitance, magnetic forces);
Atomic physics and lasers: fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy (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;
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular practical and tutorial classes, tests and the examination.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST10012 | Introduction to Mathematics |
Summer Term (Online)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
OR
Admission into the Bachelor of Biomedicine course
Assumed knowledge: some knowledge of physics to Year 10 level.
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
Students who have completed VCE Unit 3/4 Physics (with a score of 25 or more) will not be permitted to enrol in this subject.
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: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Assessment of practical work throughout the semester (25%) consisting of:
- Practicals: practical experiment and written report due at the end of each lab, throughout semester (every second week), 3.125% each (2.5 hours per laboratory session)
- Take Home Group Experiment: group report due 2 weeks after obtaining equipment, second half of semester, 3.125% (3 hours)
- Mobile App Review: peer assessed review in form of short report, Week 10, 3.125% (3 hours)
Ten weekly assignments, Weeks 3 - 12, (10 x 1.5% = 15%), 30 minutes each assignment
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: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Roger Rassool Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week; 1 x one hour tutorial per week; practical work (6 x 2.5 hour laboratory sessions) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 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 Note: this will include practical work of up to 30 minutes of pre-laboratory activity for every laboratory session plus up to 6 hours of laboratory assignments.
Additional delivery details
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- 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.
Last updated: 3 November 2022