Physics
Code: 100920Credits: 6
| Degree programme | Type | Course |
|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | FB | 1 |
Contact lecturer
- Name :
- Juan Manuel Apio Laguia
- Email :
- juanmanuel.apio@uab.cat
Group languages
You can consult this information at the end of the document.
Prerequisites
The student should be familiar with basic Physics knowledge, especially the topics related to forces or energies. These topics are covered in the secondary school courses If the student has never studied them it would be good to do the propedéutic course of Physics for Biosciences. it is also recommended at least to read a high secondary grade textbook including them.
Physical concepts like electromagnetic fields and waves, although important, are not required because they are introduced again during the course.
Objectives
Because of its fundamental nature, knowledge in physics is very often a necessary tool for the correct understanding of the phenomena described in other sciences. In the specific case of Biotechnology, for example, to correctly understand the dynamics of chemical reactions within cells, it is completely indispensable to know the physics of diffusion, the field and electrical current or thermodynamics. Without this knowledge a misunderstanding of the biochemistry of the cell is possible.
On the other hand, Physics is required to understand some of the experimental methods that biochemists use daily. In our case, for example, radioactive or fluoescent marking of molecules, centrifugation or magnetic resonance are examples of methods that are clearly based on fundamental physical principles.
The objective of this subject will be the introductory study of all the necessary physical concepts for both, modeling and experimental design in Biotechnology.
Some of the topics will be the starting point of other courses such as Thermodynamics, Bioenergetics and other topics will be fundamental for the practices included in Integrated Laboratories.
Learning outcomes
- CM04 (Calculate physical parameters and magnitudes associated with the field of physics, with special relevance to those related to biotechnology.) Calculate physical parameters and magnitudes associated with the field of physics, with special relevance to those related to biotechnology.
- CM05 (Compare magnitudes and units of physical observables.) Compare magnitudes and units of physical observables.
- CM06 (Work collaboratively in teams to solve problems and case studies in the field of physics.) Work collaboratively in teams to solve problems and case studies in the field of physics.
- KM04 (Define the basic principles of mechanics in biological systems.) Define the basic principles of mechanics in biological systems.
- KM05 (Relate the basic mechanisms of electric current to nerve impulses.) Relate the basic mechanisms of electric current to nerve impulses.
- KM06 (Describe the basis of electromagnetic radiation emission and the principles of thermodynamics.) Describe the basis of electromagnetic radiation emission and the principles of thermodynamics.
- SM04 (Apply the fundamentals of general physics to the resolution of experimental problems and phenomena.) Apply the fundamentals of general physics to the resolution of experimental problems and phenomena.
- SM05 (Correctly interpret data and observations in the field of experimental physics.) Correctly interpret data and observations in the field of experimental physics.
- SM06 (Correctly interpret the magnitudes and units associated with fundamental physical observations.) Correctly interpret the magnitudes and units associated with fundamental physical observations.
Contents
1 Basic ideas of kinematics and dynamics
Velocity, acceleration, angular acceleration, centripetal and centrifugal acceleration
Newton's law: relationship between force and acceleration
Hooke's law. Optical tweezers
2 Transport of molecules in fluids
Viscosity. Sedimentation
Centrifugation and separation of macromolecules
Diffusion: Fick's law and Brownian motion
3 Energy and Thermodynamics
Intramolecular energy. Molecular machines
Internal energy, temperature and heat
Dissipation of energy. Entropy. Implication in molecular dynamics and chemical reactions
Statistical Physics. Statistical Interpretation of Entropy.
Free energies.
4 Oscillations
Elasticity.
Experiments with macromolecules: stretching of DNA and proteins
Harmonic oscillator. Damped oscillations
Oscillations inherent to molecules and energy absorption.
Resonance
Oscillations of H2O and microwave heating; CO2 oscillations and the greenhouse effect
5 Electricity
Coulomb's law: force between charges (atoms, molecules)
Electrostatic contribution to ATP energy
Dipoles and polar molecules: hydrogen bonds
Electrophoresis.
Membrane potential
Ion pumps; ATP-ase.
6 Magnetism
Magnetic forces and charge in a magnetic field
Mass spectrometry
Magnetic dipole
Nuclear magnetic resonance: applications to chemistry, molecular structure; medical imaging
7 Physical optics
Wave nature of light: electromagnetic waves
Interference and diffraction.
Diffraction of light in crystals and molecules: molecular structure.
Synchrotron radiation
9 Some ideas of quantum physics
Einstein-Planck and de Broglie equations
Quantification of energy levels: particle in a box
Bohr atom; absorption and emission spectra. Fluorescence
Some ideas of nuclear physics
Radioactivity
Learning activities and methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homework | 35 | 1.4 | CM04, CM05, SM04 |
| Problem solving classes | 16 | 0.64 | CM04, CM05, CM06, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM04, SM05, SM06 |
| Reading of educational material | 10 | 0.4 | SM05, SM06 |
| Experimental work at home | 5 | 0.2 | SM04, SM05, SM06 |
| Theory classes | 30 | 1.2 | CM04, CM05, CM06, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM04, SM05, SM06 |
| Resolution of computer assisted questionaries | 20 | 0.8 | CM04, CM05, SM04 |
The subject will be taught alternating different types of methodologies:
- Lectures where the general concepts of the different topics will be introduced
- Problem classes where teachers will solve the exercises previously selected in previous days
- Solving self-correction questionnaires via computer using the Moodle platform
- Reading of didactic material in biosciences where physical concepts are applicable
- Experimental practices at home.
Assessment
Continuous assessment activities
| Title | Weight | Hours | ECTS | Learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer assisted practices | 20$ | 30 | 1.2 | CM04, CM05, CM06 |
| Exams | 80% | 4 | 0.16 | CM04, CM05, KM04, KM05, KM06, SM04, SM05, SM06 |
Ordinary assessment:
The grade for the subject will be obtained from the following assessment activities:
two partial tests. The weighting of each partial test will be 40% each with respect to the total grade. This weighting may vary depending on the number of topics contained in each of the tests.
a set of questionnaires and/or practices that will be submitted through the Virtual Campus. These submissions will all have the same weight and their average will represent 20% of the final grade.
The student must obtain a grade higher than 3.5 in each of the partial tests so that the average with the submissions can be made. In the event that this grade is not obtained, the final grade will be 3, even if the total average is greater than 5.
Recovery exam:
A second test corresponding to each partial will be held at the end of the semester.
All students who have not passed the minimum grade in any of the ordinary tests, who despite passing the minimum grade do not pass the subject, or who wish to improve their grade, may appear.
All students who take one or two retake tests will forfeit the grade obtained in the corresponding test of the ordinary assessment.
The final grade will be calculated in the same way as in the ordinary assessment but replacing the grades obtained during the retake tests.
To participate in this exam, students must have been previously assessed in a set of activities with a minimum weight of 60% of the subject, otherwise, a grade of "Not assessed" will be obtained.
This subject does not provide for a single assessment system.
Committing any irregularity during an assessment activity (such as academic fraud, plagiarism, or the improper use of AI—unless such use is expressly authorized in the course syllabus) that could lead to a significant change in the grade, will result in that activity being graded as a 0.
If the course syllabus stipulates that passing the subject requires obtaining a minimum grade on that specific assessment activity, or if multiple irregularities occur across assessment activities for the same subject, the final grade for the subject will be 0. Furthermore, disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against any student who commits such irregularities.
Bibliography
Basic bibliography
- Jou, D, Llebot, J.E. y Pérez Garcia, C. Física para ciencias de la vida. Mc Graw-Hill.
Further reading
- Kane, J.W. y Sternheim, M.M. Física. Ed. Reverté.
- Tipler, P.A. y Mosca, G. Física para la ciencia y la tecnología. Ed. Reverté
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 | 41 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 411 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 412 | Catalan | first semester | afternoon |