ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 1 Expository Class: 27 Interactive Classroom: 30 Total: 58
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Applied Physics
Areas: Applied Physics
Center Faculty of Biology
Call: Second Semester
Teaching: Sin docencia (Extinguida)
Enrolment: No Matriculable | 1st year (Yes)
Biophysics is a basic training subject with a load of 6 ECTS that is taught in the first course of the Degree in Biology. The fundamental objective of this subject is for students to understand the role that Physics plays in the description of nature, so that they are able to apply the principles of Physics to simple processes of biological interest and to understand that an interdisciplinary approach is essential for the study of such complex systems as living beings.
The Biophysics course consists of five well-differentiated thematic blocks, as can be seen below, which will be developed in master classes (24 h) and seminars (15 h). The time schedule indicated is for guidance only and may be slightly modified depending on the specific course development.
THEME 1. BIOMECHANICS AND FLUIDS (7h Exp + 5h Sem-Face to face)
Notions of kinematics and dynamics. Kinetic energy. Potential energy. Work. Laws of scale in biology. Metabolic rates. Elasticity. Statics of fluids. Continuity equation. Fluid dynamics. Movement of solids within fluids. Resistance, drag and lift forces. Surface phenomena.
THEME 2. PRINCIPLES OF THERMODYNAMICS (4h Exp+ 3h Sem-Face to face)
Thermodynamic systems. Temperature scales. Work and heat. Principles of thermodynamics. Application of the principles of thermodynamics to living beings.
THEME 3. PHENOMENOS OF TRANSPORT IN BIOLOGY (5h Exp + 3h Sem-Face to face)
Biological barriers. Flow. Transport of matter. Diffusion and Osmosis. Heat transport. Electrical transport. Membranes as condensers. Ionic transport in membranes.
THEME 4. BIOPHYSICS OF THE SENSES (5h Exp + 4h Sem-Face to face)
Types of waves and general characteristics. Sound propagation. Auditory system. Light propagation. Light-matter interaction. Geometric optics, visual system and optical instruments.
THEME 5. BIOPHYSICS OF RADICATION (3h Exp-Face to face )
Atomic nucleus. Types of radiation. Radiation-matter interaction. Detection and measurement of radiation. Biological effects and applications of ionizing radiation. Nuclear medicine.
Laboratory practice. The students will carry out laboratory practices, adapted to the subject matter, among those available in the laboratory of the Faculty of Biology:
- Static and dynamic study of a spring: determination of its elastic constant (3h- Face to face)
- Determination of liquid densities by pycnometry.(3h- Face to face)
- Determination of fluid viscosity by means of the Ostwald viscometer(3h- Face to face).
- Determination of Young's modulus in biological materials.(3h- Face to face)
- Computer class (3h- Face to face)
BASIC
Cussó F., López C. y Villar R., 2004. Física de los procesos biológicos. Barcelona: Ariel.
Delegido Gómez J., Herráez Domínguez J.V., 2010. Elementos de física aplicada y biofísica. Educació: Laboratori de Materials, Universitat de Valencia. Disponible en https://prelo.usc.es/Record/Xebook1-4195.
COMPLEMENTARY
Cromer, A.H. 1996. Física para las ciencias de la vida. 2ª ed. México: Reverté.
Giancoli, D.C., 2009. Física: principios con aplicaciones. 6ª ed. México: Pearson-Prentice Hall.
Jou Mirabent, D., LLebot Rabagliati, J.E. y Pérez García, C. 2008. Física para ciencias de la vida. 2ª ed. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
Ortuño, M., 1996. Física para biología, medicina, veterinaria y farmacia. Madrid: Crítica.
BASIC AND GENERALS
CG2 - Apply the theoretical-practical knowledge acquired in the approach of problems and the search for their solutions in both academic and professional contexts
CG3 - Knowing how to obtain and interpret relevant information and results and draw conclusions on issues related to Biology.
CG4 - Be able to transmit information both in writing and orally and to debate ideas, problems and solutions related to Biology, before a general or specialized public
CG5 - Study and learn autonomously, with organization of time and resources, new knowledge and techniques in Biology.
CB1 - Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in an area of study that is at the core of general secondary education, and is often at a level that, while supported by advanced textbooks, also includes some aspects that involve knowledge from the cutting edge of their field of study
CB2 - Students are able to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills usually demonstrated by developing and defending arguments and solving problems within their area of study.
TRANSVERSALS
CT1 - Ability to search, process, analyze and synthesize information from various sources.
CT2 - Reasoning, argumentation and critical thinking skills.
CT3 - Ability to work in a group and deal with problematic situations in a collective way.
CT8 - Problem-solving ability through the integrated application of knowledge, promoting initiative and creativity.
CT10 - Ability to interpret experimental results
SPECIFICS
CE1 - To know and understand the physicochemical principles of Biology.
CE10 - To know and understand the development, morphology and anatomy of living beings.
CE11 - Understand and integrate the functioning and regulation of the main physiological processes of living beings, as well as their interaction with the biotic and abiotic environment.
CE13 - Know how to describe, analyze and interpret the physical environment and its relationship to living beings.
The subject of Biophysics will have an associated Virtual Classroom in the Virtual Campus of the USC. Before the beginning of the classes, the detailed program of the subject, and the basic and complementary bibliography will be made available to the students in the Virtual Classroom.
a) Expository classes:
The theoretical contents of each subject will be exposed so that they serve as a guide for the autonomous learning of the students. In the Virtual Classroom, the digital material used in class by the teaching staff to explain all the contents will be published, as well as tables summarizing the most important expressions of each subject. Master class.Voluntary attendance
b) Seminar classes:
Classes of problems in which exercises proposed in the bulletins that will be made available to students sufficiently in advance through the Virtual Classroom will be solved. The aim is for students to become familiar with the resolution of practical cases. Problem based learning Voluntary attendance
c) Laboratory practices:
Each student will attend several laboratory sessions and will have to present a technical report. These sessions are intended to consolidate the theoretical concepts explained in class, autonomous learning, initiative and problem-solving skills. Group/individual work. Mandatory attendance to all practical sessions
d) Tutorials in small groups:
The student will have 1 session of tutorials in a small group at the end of the semester to clarify doubts and/or reinforce important concepts with a view to the final exam. Voluntary attendance. Virtual (Moodle, Teams)
e) Individual tutorials:
These will be held throughout the semester at the request of the students. They are aimed at resolving doubts and concrete difficulties of a theoretical, conceptual and/or practical nature. Individualized attention will be given to the students who need it. Individual tutorials may be synchronous telematic and will require an appointment. Voluntary attendance. Virtual/face to face
The overall qualification of the students in the subject is the sum of the qualifications obtained, by their performance throughout the course, in the following activities:
EVAL 1. Laboratory practices (weight in the final mark: 30%; obligatory activity). The following competences will be evaluated: CG2, CG3, CT1, CT2, CT3, CT8, CT10, CE1
EVAL 2. Examination. Complimentary to the continuous evaluation (weight in the final mark: 70% obligatory activity). The following competences will be evaluated CG2, CG3, CG5, CB1, CB2, CT2, CT8, CT10, CE1, CE10, CE11, CE13
To pass the course, students will need to meet requirements:
R1. To have attended all the laboratory practice sessions and to have delivered the technical report.
R2. To take the final exam to be held on the date fixed by the Faculty of Biology
R3. To have achieved a minimum mark of 4 points (out of 10) in the exam.
R4. Achieve a minimum final grade of 5 pts, combining the grades of the continuous evaluation and the final exam
The grades of the continuous evaluation and/or the exam are kept for the second opportunity.
The qualifications of the reports of practices of the previous year and of the exam (repeating students) are kept for this course, and the student may decide to carry out the practices or the exam again in the present course.
The grade will be "not presented" only in the event that the student does not perform both of the mandatory activities proposed: the laboratory practices, and the final exam of the subject.
In general, an average of 110 hours of work is estimated for this subject, of which 55 hours correspond to attendance at theoretical and practical classes, seminars and tutorials (24h expository classes, 15h interactive seminar classes, 15h interactive laboratory classes and 1h group tutorials), 50 hours of autonomous work by the student (study time and preparation of the practical report) and the remaining 5 hours to the completion and review of exams.
- Attendance at all teaching activities.
- Participate actively in the classes.
- Consult the recommended bibliography.
- Use the virtual classroom.
- Use the tutorials for any kind of question related to the subject.
Sergio Feijoo Juarros
Coordinador/a- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Applied Physics
- Phone
- 881814044
- sergio.feijoo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Maria Jose Perez Comuñas
- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Applied Physics
- Phone
- 881814036
- mariajp.comunas [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
Daniel Conde Torres
- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Applied Physics
- danielconde.torres [at] usc.es
- Category
- Xunta Pre-doctoral Contract
| Wednesday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 18:00-19:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 19:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| Thursday | |||
| 16:00-17:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 17:00-18:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Spanish | Classroom 04: James Watson and Francis Crick |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 05.15.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 03. Carl Linnaeus |
| 07.10.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 07.10.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 01. Charles Darwin |
| 07.10.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_02 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |
| 07.10.2023 16:00-20:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 02. Gregor Mendel |