Biophysics I

Code:

F0101

Acronym:

F0101

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Physics

Instance: 2010/2011 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Biochemistry

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:BQ	109	Plano de Estudos a partir de 2007	1	-	7,5	84	202,5

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

To enable the students:
- To understand and use basic principles of classical and modern physics that are relevant to biochemistry.
- To be familiar with examples taken from the life sciences that illustrate how these basic principles are applied.
- To recognize the clarity and simplicity of many biophysical descriptions of a multitude of mechanisms that are key to our understanding of physical chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology.
- To acquire the tools and to develop the competences needed to solve simple problems that are frequently multidisciplinary in nature.

Program

Energy
1. Our planet's sustainability. 2. Food and mechanisms of energy conversion (photosynthesis, glycolisis, oxidative phosphorilarion, mechanical work within cells). 3. Biological scales.
Nuclear Structure
1. Radioactivity and radiations. 2. Biological effects and mechanisms. 3. Biological applications (diagnostics, therapy, image acquisition). 4. Elementary particles.
Electricity
1. Concept of field and potential. 2. R-C circuits . 3. The nerve axon - structure and function. 4. Membrane transport. 5. Electrophoresis.
Magnetism
1. Concept of field. 2. Magnetic force and energy. 3. Magnetic resonance. 4. Laws of: Biot-Savart, Faraday and Lenz. 5. Measurement of q/m and q. 6. Mass spectrometry. 7. The ciclotron. 8. Biological applications (diagnostics and image acquisition).
Special Theory of Relativity
1. Time dilatation and length contraction. 2. Relativistic momentum and energy. 3. Practical consequences.

Mandatory literature

Kane, J. W. & Sternheim, M. M.; Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 1988
Halliday, D., Resnick, R. & Walker, J.; Fundamentals of Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and problem solving discussions.

Software

Não aplicável/Not applicable

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Description	Type	Time (hours)	Weight (%)	End date
Attendance (estimated)	Participação presencial	84,00
Exam	Exame
	Total:	-	0,00

Eligibility for exams

As regulations.

Calculation formula of final grade

Students choose between final exam only and an alternative (and equivalent) evaluation scheme involving partial tests. This applies just for the first exam period; in the second exam period there is only final exam.
Final grade is the one obtained in the final exam or the arithmetic mean of grades obtained in the equivalent partial tests.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Do not exist.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

As regulations.

Classification improvement

As regulations.