Medical Biophysics

Code:

OPT03

Acronym:

BM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Medicine

Instance: 2017/2018 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Departamento de Biomedicina
Course/CS Responsible:	Integrated Master in Medicine

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MIMED	32	Mestrado Integrado em Medicina- Plano oficial 2013 (Reforma Curricular)	2	-	3	28	81
			3

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Understand some of the concepts and fundamental principles of physics which are relevant for biology and medicine.
Acquire tools and competences for solving simple problems in biophysics.
Value the construction and use of models for the detailed quantitative description of biophysical processes.
Understand the potential and limitations of several modern techniques which rely on fundamental principles in physics for diagnosis and treatment in medicine.

Learning outcomes and competences

The syllabus targets fundamental elements providing competences and knowledge in biophysics which are of relevance in medicine. All parts of the syllabus are subdivided into two components where 1) fundamental principles in physics are presented, and 2) diagnostic/treatment techniques in medicine supported by these physics concepts are presented and explored

Working method

Presencial

Program

Mechanics
Newton laws; Equilibrium and stability in the human body; Energy conservation; Elasticity and strength of materials

Fluids
Force and pressure in a fluid; Bernoulli’s equation; Viscosity and Poiseuille’s law; Circulation of the blood; Arteriosclerosis and blood flow
 
Thermodynamics
Transfer of heat; First and Second law of Thermodynamics; Thermodynamics of Living Systems; Regulation of body temperature
 
Electricity
Electric field and electric potential; Resistance and Ohm’s Law; RC Circuits; Excitable membranes; Diagnostic equipment: electroencephalograph and electrocardiograph
 
Magnetism
Motion of charged particles in a magnetic field; Laws of Biot-Savart, Faraday and Lenz; RL Circuits
 
Atomic Physics and Nuclear Physics
The atom and the nucleus; Quantum mechanics; X-rays and computerized tomography; Lasers; Magnetic resonance imaging; Radiation therapy

Mandatory literature

Davidovits; Physics in Biology and Medicine
Serway & Jewet; Principles of Physics

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and problem solving sessions

Evaluation Type

Evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	100,00
Total:	100,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Final Exam: 100%