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Biophysics and Biomechanics

Code: 103008
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Physiotherapy FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Alex Peralvarez Marin
Email :
alex.peralvarez@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Miguel Angel Maria Solano
Alex Peralvarez Marin
Maria Isabel Marin Garcia

Group languages

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

Prerequisites

Basic knowledge is required on thermodynamics, mechanics, wave theory, electricity, electromagnetic waves, radiation as well as math and basic trigonometry.

Objectives

The subject of Biophysics and Biomechanics is within the first year of the degree of Physiotherapy and is part of the basic training subjects.

The general objective is to deepen in the knowledge of various aspects of the human body function and instrumentation in the field of physiotherapy, in relation to the laws of physics.


Note: 15 minutes of a class will be reserved, within the calendar established by the center/degree, for students to fill in the teacher performance and evaluation surveys of the subject/module.

Learning outcomes

  1. Explain the principles and theories of physics, biomechanics and kinesiology applicable to physiotherapy.
  2. Determine the physical bases of the different physical agents and their applications to physiotherapy.
  3. Determine the principles and applications of physiotherapy measurement procedures used in biomechanics and electrophysiology.
  4. Apply the anthropometric principles.
  5. Analyse and synthesise.
  6. Solve problems.
  7. Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
  8. Analyse a situation and identify its points for improvement.
  9. Propose new methods or well-founded alternative solutions.
  10. Weigh up the risks and opportunities of suggestions for improvement: one's own and those of others.
  11. Propose new ways to measure success or failure when implementing innovative proposals or ideas.
  12. Communicate using language that is not sexist.

Contents

Contents


Part 1 /  Thermodynamics 


Part 2 / Electricity and Electrophysiology  


Part 3 /  Mechanical waves and ultrasounds 


Part 4 / Electromagnetic waves and radiation


Part 5 / Biomechanics I 


Part 6 / Biomechanics II


 


 


PRACTICAL SESSIONS


Practicum 1. Indirect calorimetry.


Practicum 2. Biomechanics and Anthropometry


Practicum 3. Ankle biomechanics.


 

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Theory (TE) 26 1.04
SELF-STUDY 89.5 3.58
CLASSROOM PRACTICES (PLAB) 8.5 0.34
SEMINARS (SEM) 11 0.44
ORAL PRESENTATION/EXPOSITION OF WORKS 7 0.28

- The master classes with audiovisual support will be carried out in a single group of students. The group will be divided into four for laboratory practices (PLAB) and for classroom practices (seminars, SEM).

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
Evaluation of deliverables 10% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 5
Two multiple-choice exams 55% 5 0.2 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Evaluation of practical sessions 10% 0 0 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Two short-answer test 25% 3 0.12 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Continued avaluationThe subject will be evaluated during the course in two subject eliminatory exams (80% of the final grade) and through the grades obtained in the laboratory practice sessions (10% of the final grade) and the assignments made during the development of the course (10%).To pass the subject by continuous assessment using the average of the assessment tests (the 2 elimination exams and the grades of the practice sessions), you must:a) Having obtained a minimum score of 4.5 in each of the two subject elimination examsb) Have attended at least 66% of the practice sessions and have submitted the corresponding reports.Students who have not passed the subject through continuous assessment may sit a final exam, which will consist of the parts not passed, if it is fulfilled that:c) They have appeared in the two elimination exams (which correspond to more than 66% of the final score).d) They have attended at least 66% of the laboratory practices and submitted the corresponding reports.Students who do not meet the three points above (c and d) will be classified as \"Not assessable\".The minimum score required to pass any exam will be 5.0.

Setting up the testsWith regard to the two eliminatory subject exams (80% of the assessment activities), each of them will consist of two types of exercises:e) A test type with 40-50 theory questions and short problems to be solved without a calculator (65% of the exam grade). In this typology, revisions of the marks onthe optical recognition template will not be accepted, errors in the selection of answers or any mark, however slight, that gives a positive result in the reading will be considered as a marked answer.f) A written paper with questions related to laboratory practices and numerical problems to be solved with a calculator (35% of the exam grade).In relation to the evaluation of the laboratory practice session, it will be based on the work and the results obtained, which will be presented in a report at the end of each session (10% of the final grade).In relation to the evaluation of the students' assignments, a guideline maximum of one assignment per subject will be established, which will be given to the teaching staff during the development of the course (10% of the final grade).Final qualificationWeighted sum of the assessment of theoretical and practical knowledge. To pass the subject, the grade of the weighted average must be equal to or higher than 5.0.Numerical expression: note with one decimal place, from 0.0 to 10.0.Qualitative grade: non-evaluable, failed, passed, notable, excellent, honors.In the event of not passing the subject, the practical notes will be kept, but when registering again, the student who wishes can do them and obtain a new score.

UNIQUE ASSESSMENTStudents who take the single assessment must do the laboratory practices (PLAB) in face-to-face sessions and they will have a weight of 10% and it is required to present the corresponding report by the deadline indicated in the session , the evaluation and weight on the final mark of these will be the same as those of the continuous evaluation.The single assessment consists of a single summary test (with test-type questions referring to Theory and Seminars, and questions and problems to develop) on the contents of the entiretheory program (TE), of the seminars (SEM) , and laboratory practices (PLAB).The grade obtained in the synthesis test is 80% of the final grade of the subject, the grade obtained in the practicals 10%, and a work compendiumof the deliverables of each of the theory topics 10%.The single assessment test will coincide with the same date fixed in the calendar for the recovery of the continuous assessment. The date for the recovery of the single assessment will be indicated in the examination calendar published on the website of the Faculty of Medicine.To pass the subject, you must obtain a minimum final grade of 5.0 out of 10.0 in each of the parts (synthesis test, PLAB, and work compendium of deliverables).Examination review systemExams will be reviewed individually with the student.
 
 

Bibliography

BIOFÍSICA

A.S. Frumento (1995). Mosby/Doyma Libros

ELECTROTERAPIA EN FISIOTERAPIA [Recurso electrónico de las bibliotecas de la UAB]

J. M. Rodríguez Martín (2014). Ed. Médica Panamericana. FÍSICA

J. N .Kane y M. M. Sternheim (1994). Ed. Reverté. FÍSICA

P.A. Tipler. (1992). Ed. Reverté.

BIOMECÁNICA BÁSICA DEL SISTEMA MUSCULOESQUELÉTICO

M. Nordin y V. H. Frankel (2004). McGraw-Hill Interamericana.

Fundamentals of Biomechanics.

D. Knudson (2021). Springer Books.

FÍSICA PARA CIENCIAS DE LA VIDA

D. Jou, J.E. Llebot, C.Perez-García. (1994) Ed. McGraw-Hill.

Recursos d’Internet

http://www.asbweb.org (web de la American Society of Biomechanics)

http://ww3.haverford.edu/physics-astro/course_materials/phys320/biophysicsCourses.html

https://ocw.mit.edu/

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/index.html

Software

No specific software is required.

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 101 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 101 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 101 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 102 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 102 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 103 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 103 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(PLAB) Practical laboratories 104 Catalan first semester morning-mixed
(SEM) Seminars 104 Catalan first semester morning-mixed