PHS1031

Physics for the living world

Dr Don Hutton

6 points - Three 1-hour lectures and one 3-hour practical per week - First semester - Clayton - Prerequisite: None - Prohibition: PHS1011, PHS1627

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students should be able to explain and apply relevant physics principles to human, biomedical and biosphere contexts; and describe and model situations involving body systems, forces and materials for support and movement, heat and energy transport, electrical behaviour, basic electrical measurements, optical systems and instruments; develop simple physical models and apply these to problem solving; carry out reliable measurements, analyse data, estimate uncertainties, interpret physical phenomena and present scientific information in written reports.

Synopsis Principles of force and movement are applied to skeletal structures, scaling of sizes, human movement and sport, centrifugation, oscillations, resonance and effects on living systems. Electrical behaviour focuses on bio-electricity including nerve conduction, membrane potential, defibrillation, ECG and EEG and standard methods of electrical measurements suited to bio-systems. Energy systems and the body provide a comprehensive understanding of the interrelated mechanisms for energy production and transport, pressure, duffiusion and osmosis related to breathing and dialysis, fluid flow and the cardiovascular system and heat flow in the body. The study of optical systems relates the optical properties of biological and optically useful materials to refraction, reflection and polarisation, with particular reference to human vision and the microscope. Introductory materials are provided for students without prior physics background. Experimental and problem solving activities across a broad range of topics ensure that all students have opportunity for acquiring in-depth understanding and skills.

Assessment Examinations (2x2 hours): 60% - Practical work: 25% - Tests/assignments 15%

Prescribed texts

Kane J W and Sternheim M M Physics 3rd edn, Wiley, 1988

Recommended texts

Cameron J R, Skofronick J G and Grant R M Physics of the body Medical Physics Publishing, 1992

Back to the 1999 Science Handbook