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Physics

Code: 100810
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Biology FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Javier Cristin Redondo
Email :
javier.cristin@uab.cat

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

As this is a first-year course, there are no specific prerequisites required to take it.

It is recommended to take the preparatory Physics course offered by the Faculty, as it helps with understanding the subject. Although the course builds on high school knowledge, a review of fundamental concepts is carried out throughout the semester.

Objectives

  • The Physics course is a basic and compulsory subject within the Biology degree curriculum. Its main objective is to provide the fundamental knowledge and analytical and methodological tools necessary to develop the transversal competencies required in life sciences studies.
  • Specifically, the course aims to help students understand the fundamental laws of physics that govern natural systems, with special emphasis on their application to biological processes. This approach contributes to a better understanding of phenomena such as fluid movement in biological systems, the functioning of the senses, and the interactions involved in cellular dynamics.
  • Additionally, the course promotes the development of general skills (such as critical thinking and independent work), transversal skills (such as identifying and analyzing the key elements of a scientific problem), and specific skills (such as applying physical concepts to the understanding of biological systems). This set of competencies is essential in the training of future biologists.

Learning outcomes

  • CM03 (Judge narratives and images used to facilitate communication and the conceptualisation of concepts in Physics that contain gender stereotypes.) Judge narratives and images used to facilitate communication and the conceptualisation of concepts in Physics that contain gender stereotypes.
  • CM04 (Explain popular articles on physics applied to biology.) Explain popular articles on physics applied to biology.
  • KM05 (Explain the basic principles of physics applied to biology.) Explain the basic principles of physics applied to biology.
  • KM06 (Identify some current frontiers of biophysics.) Identify some current frontiers of biophysics.
  • KM07 (Describe how physical theories are used to pose, with greater precision, problems in biology.) Describe how physical theories are used to pose, with greater precision, problems in biology.
  • SM03 (Solve simple physics problems related to situations of biological interest.) Solve simple physics problems related to situations of biological interest.
  • SM04 (Apply physical theories in the approach and resolution of biological problems.) Apply physical theories in the approach and resolution of biological problems.

Contents



  • Mechanics and Energy




    • Quantities, Uniform and accelerated motion, Newton’s Laws.




    • Work, Potential energy, Mechanical energy.






  • Fluids




    • Hydrostatics: Pressure, Archimedes’ Principle.




    • Hydrodynamics: Bernoulli’s Equation, Poiseuille’s Law, Sedimentation.






  • Thermodynamics




    • Temperature, Heat.




    • Phase changes, Conduction, Convection, Radiation.






  • Electromagnetism




    • Coulomb’s Law, Electric potential and field.




    • Electric current, Ohm’s Law.






  • Waves and Sound




    • Wave propagation, Standing waves.




    • Doppler effect, Sound intensity.






  • Optics




    • Reflection, Refraction.




    • Lenses, Image formation.






  • Radiation




    • Decay, Physical dose.






 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theory classes 35 1.4 CM03, CM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, SM04
Personal study, problems solving, classwork, participation in forums on the virtual campus 86 3.44 KM06, SM03, SM04
Problem solving classes 20 0.8 KM07, SM03, SM04

The course combines in-person classroom activities with virtual activities on the online campus, through task submissions, exercises, and participation in forums. These activities include guided, supervised, and independent work.

The theoretical classes introduce basic physics concepts adapted for first-year students, with a special focus on applications in biology.

The problem-solving sessions serve to illustrate the biological application of the equations and concepts studied in theory. Students will prepare some problems in advance, while the instructor will work through the most relevant cases and provide support to clarify doubts and difficulties.

At all times, students have access to support materials based on the course syllabus, where they can consult the course content, the schedule of continuous assessment and guided learning activities, as well as the recommended bibliography.


In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted exclusively for support tasks, such as bibliographic or information searches, text proofreading, or translations... Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using this technology, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the activity. Failure to disclose the use of AI in this assessed activity will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a partial or full penalty in the activity's grade, or more severe disciplinary sanctions in serious cases.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
First midterm exam 40% 2.5 0.1 KM05, KM07, SM03, SM04
Classwork and exercises 20% 2 0.08 CM03, CM04, KM05, KM06, KM07, SM03, SM04
Second midterm exam 40% 2 0.08 KM05, KM07, SM03, SM04
Retake exam Allows to raise the grade obtained in the midterm exams 2.5 0.1 KM05, KM07, SM03, SM04

The achievement of competencies by students will be assessed through three types of activities, each with a specific weight in the final grade, in addition to an additional exam for recovery or grade improvement:

  • Partial assessment tests (80%): Two written exams covering both theoretical and practical content will be administered during the course. Each exam will carry a weight of 40% of the final grade.
  • To average with the rest of the grades, students must obtain a minimum score of 4 out of 10 on each of the two exams.
  • Continuous assessment activities (20%): Throughout the semester, students will be offered activities such as solving additional exercises, Moodle quizzes, in-class activities, or participation in forums. These activities will collectively account for 20% of the overall grade.
  • No minimum score is required for these activities.
  • Recovery exam: Intended for students who did not pass one or both partial exams or wish to improve their grade. Only students who have taken both partial exams may sit for the recovery exam. If the result improves the original partial exam grade, the new grade will replace the previous one in all respects (with the same minimum score requirement to be included in the average).

The subject will be considered passed when the overall grade is equal to or greater than 5 out of 10, provided that the specific requirements of each assessment activity are met.

Repeating students must follow the same assessment system as newly enrolled students.

Honors distinctions may only be awarded to students with a final grade equal to or greater than 9, and at a maximum rate of one per every 20 enrolled students.

Single assessment

Students who choose the single assessment option will take a comprehensive exam on the same day as the second regular partial exam. If they do not pass it (score below 5 out of 10), they will be entitled to a recovery exam on the same date as the recovery exam for the rest of the students.


Any irregularity committed during an assessment activity (academic misconduct, plagiarism, or improper use of AI, unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that may lead to a significant alteration of the grade will result in that activity being graded as 0. If the course syllabus stipulates that obtaining a minimum mark in this assessment is an essential requirement to pass the course, or if multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who incurs any of these irregularities.

Bibliography

Different reference books are proposed for most of the topics, including some of a basic nature for general consultation and others advanced for students who would like to expand their knowledge. 

Software

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Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 11 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 111 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 112 Catalan second semester morning-mixed