Physics Fundamentals

Code:

L.BIO004

Acronym:

FFIS

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Basic Sciences (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://moodle2425.up.pt/course/view.php?id=5329
Responsible unit:	Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Bioengineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L.BIO	129	Syllabus	1	-	6	65	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

► The aims of this course are for students to:

- acquire fundamental knowledge of general physics, particularly geometrical optics (paraxial theory) and classical Newtonian mechanics, including simple harmonic motion (SHM) and some wave concepts.

- develop reasoning and acquire skills in autonomous and critical problem-solving;

- acquire a discipline of continuous work throughout the semester;

- have an attitude that respects ethical values such as mutual respect and honesty.

Learning outcomes and competences

► At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

- roperly use the laws governing the phenomena studied;

- use appropriate vocabulary to explain technical concepts and phenomena studied, as well as describe some of its applications;

- have a critical attitude towards the final results obtained using dimensional analysis, estimates of expected orders of magnitude, study of the interdependence between the quantities involved and the study of the behavior of the solution in borderline cases.

The skills that are the subject of the assessment process (assessment test and final exam distributed) are as follows:

- correct use of the laws governing the phenomena studied.

- critical attitude towards the final results.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

► It is assumed that students have:

- rudimentary knowledge of Newtonian mechanics at the 11th grade level, that is, they know how to enunciate Newton's three laws and are able to describe uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion.

- some knowledge of vectors (for example, they know how to add vectors and calculate the dot or inner product of two vectors) and elementary calculus (that is, they know how to derive simple functions).

Program

1 - GEOMETRIC OPTICS: PARAXIAL THEORY

The character of light: wave and corpuscular; the concept of a wave; progressive waves; longitudinal and transverse waves; polarisation; sinusoidal waves and general characteristics of waves; the rectilinear propagation of light; the laws of reflection and refraction; Fermat's principle; Huygens' principle; plane and spherical mirrors; thin lenses; notions about optical instruments; the human eye.


2 - CLASSICAL MECHANICS

Units and dimensions; algebra of vectors; equilibrium of rigid bodies - statics; kinematics: one-dimensional movement and movement in two dimensions; simple harmonic motion (SHM); Newton's laws; work, energy and power; conservation of energy; energy considerations about SHM; conservation of the linear momentum; angular momentum and the law of conservation of angular momentum.

Mandatory literature

Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman; University physics. ISBN: 0-201-84769-8
Silvestre, A. J. e P.I.C. Teixeira ; Mecânica: uma Introdução, Edições Colibri/Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 2013. ISBN: 978-989-689-295-1

Complementary Bibliography

Paul A. Tipler, Gene Mosca; Physics for scientists and engineers. ISBN: 0-7167-4389-2
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica. ISBN: 85-212-0046-3 (vol.1)
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica
H. Moysés Nussenzveig; Curso de física básica. ISBN: 85-212-0163-X (vol.4)
Eugene Hecht ; José Manuel N. V. Rebordão; Óptica. ISBN: 972-31-0542-X

Teaching methods and learning activities

► Theoretical-practical classes (TP) are classes in which the teacher presents the subject to be taught, discusses and solves problems that illustrate this subject. Whenever possible, these lessons will include demonstrations of some experimental activities and demonstrations using computer simulations.

► In general, PRACTICAL-LABORATORY classes (PL) are classes in which students and the teacher present, discuss and solve problems that illustrate the subject taught in theoretical-practical classes. In three (3) PL classes, students will perform three experiments in the Physics Laboratory.

Strong student participation is encouraged in solving problems and raising any doubts they may have.

 

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Teste	70,00
Trabalho laboratorial	30,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	92,00
Frequência das aulas	70,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

► To obtain attendance ("frequência"), the student

- must not have exceeded the limit number of absences from PL practical lessons (25 % of the number of lessons scheduled); 
NOTE: the number of practical classes is considered to be twelve (12), which means that the maximum number of absences allowed is three (3).

- must have completed the three (3) practical laboratory assignments (TPL) and have obtained an average grade of TPL 10.0 or higher.

IMPORTANT:

- In order to pass the course unit, either by Distributed Assessment ("Avaliação Distribuida", AD), or by examination ("exame de recurso" or other special exam), the student must have obtained attendance ("frequência").

- The student must have obtained attendance to sit in the "exame de recurso" or any exam in a particular period.

- Only student workers (TE) are not obliged to attend TP and PL classes, with the exception of the three (3) PL classes in which practical laboratory work (TPL) is carried out. To do so, they must enrol in a PL class.

- Students who obtained attendance ("frequência") in the previous academic year (2023/2024) are exempt from doing the laboratory work unless they wish to improve the grade received.
If the student chooses to repeat the work, they MUST REGISTER FOR A PL CLASS. In this case, the mark obtained in 2024/2025 will be the student's final mark in the laboratory component, and this option is irreversible.

Calculation formula of final grade

►  "AVALIAÇÃO DISTRIBUIDA", AD:

- The test account for 70% of the final grade, with the laboratory practical works contributing 30%;

- The two (2) tests are compulsory;

- The three (3) practical laboratory assignments are compulsory;

- Each assessment component has a minimum mark without which the student, regardless of the final mark obtained, will not pass, i.e.:

► TO PASS THE UC, IT IS NECESSARY TO:
- obtain a minimum mark of 7,0 (seven) in each of the two tests;
- have completed the three laboratory assignments and obtained an average of 10,0 or more marks.

Final Classification by "AVALIAÇÃO DISTRIBUIDA", AD:

CFAD=70% Average (T1;T2) + 30% Average (TPL1;TPL2;TPL3)

CFAD  (0 - 20 valores) – final classification obtained by "Avaliação Distribuida", AD
T1 (0 - 20 values) –1st test classification
T2 (0 - 20 values) – 2nd test classification
TPL1, TPL2, TPL3 (0 – 20 values) – classification of the three TPL works.

►  "EXAME DE RECURSO":

If the student cannot attend one or both of the distributed assessment tests, for whatever reason, they can pass the course in the "Época de Recurso". In this case, the final classification will be 70% of the mark obtained in this exam (NER) and 30% of the average obtained in the three laboratory assignments, i.e:

CFER= 70% NER + 30% Average(TPL1;TPL2;TPL3)

CFER (0-20 values) - final classification in the "Época de Recurso";
NER (0-20 values) - classification in the "Exame de Recurso";
TPL1, TPL2, TPL3 (0 – 20 values) – classification of the three TPL works.

In the "Exame de Recurso", the student will only pass if:
- the average TPL is higher than ten (10,0 values), and
- the exam mark (NER) is higher than 7,0 values.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

► The classification obtained in the particular examination period follows the same rule as in the "Exame de Recurso" , i.e.:

CFEE= 70% NEE + 30% Average(TPL1;TPL2;TPL3)

where:
CFEE (0-20 valores) - final classification in the "Época Especial";
NEE (0-20 valores) - classification in the "Exame Época Especial";
TPL1, TPL2, TPL3 (0 – 20 valores) – classification of the three TPL works.

In the "Exame de Época Especial", the student will only pass if:
- the average TPL is higher than ten (10,0 values), and
- the exam mark (NEE) is higher than 7,0 values.

Classification improvement

► Improvement of Final Classification: through "Exame de Recurso"

The final ranking will be calculated as follows:

 CF = MAX (CFAD, NER, CFER)

where:
CFAD is the final classification obtained by the "Avaliação Distribuida".
NER is the classification obtained in the "exame de recurso" (de 0 a 20 valores);
CFER is the final classification in the "época de recurso", i.e.: CFER= 70% NER + 30% Average (TPL1;TPL2;TPL3).

Observations

► Information about the course will be posted at moodle.

- In addition to class times (remote and face-to-face), it is estimated that students dedicate a period of time between 5 to 8 hours per week to the study of the "Fundamentals of Physics" course.

- Student support is provided through a direct combination of interested students and teachers.

- The dates of the three laboratory works (TPL) and the two assessment tests will be advertised on Moodle UP at the beginning of the semester, as soon as the Direction approves them.

- In the two (2) tests and in the exams, a form can be used, which will be provided in a timely manner (moodle). 

- The three (3) laboratory works are mandatory for all student.

- The practical laboratory classes will be held in the Physics Laboratories (B234 or/and neighboring rooms) at PL class time.

- Attendance/absences will be recorded in PL classes.

- Any attempt at FRAUD during the distributed evaluation process leads to loss of frequency and non-admission to examination.