PHS1031 · Physics for the living world

Overview

Principles of force and movement applied to skeletal structures, human movement and sport, centrifugation, oscillations, effects on living systems. Bio-electricity including nerve conduction, membrane potential, defibrillation, ECG, electrical measurements in bio-systems. Energy production and transport, pressure, diffusion and osmosis. Fluid flow and the cardiovascular system and heat flow in the body. Optical properties of biological and useful materials, refraction, reflection, polarisation, with particular reference to human vision and the microscope.

Areas of study: Astrophysics Physics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain and apply relevant physics principles to human, biomedical and biosphere contexts;
2. 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;
3. Develop simple physical models and apply these to problem solving;
4. Carry out reliable measurements, analyse data, estimate uncertainties, interpret physical phenomena and present scientific information in written reports.

Workload

The workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours spread across the semester (roughly 12 hours per week) - approximately an even mixture of attendance at scheduled activities and self-scheduled study time. Learning activities comprise a mixture of instructor directed, peer directed and self-directed learning, which includes face-to-face and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.