Biophysics

Scholar Year: 2020/2021

Courses

Head Teacher Responsability Anna Luiza Barszczak Sardinha Letournel Head

Weekly workload Hours/week T TP P PL TC S E EL OT TPL O OT/PL Type of classes 2 2 2 Lectures Type Teacher Classes Hours Theoretical Totals 1 2,00 Anna Sardinha Letournel   0,66 Theoretical-practical Totals 1 2,00 Anna Sardinha Letournel   1,33 Práticas-Laboratórios Totals 1 2,00 Anna Sardinha Letournel   2,00

Teaching language

Portuguese

Intended learning outcomes (Knowledges, skills and competencies to be developed by the students)

Students are expected to acquire solid knowledge about important areas of physics and about the
applications of those areas to the fields of biology and medicine.
It is intended that at the end of this course the student is able to:
• Understand concepts in areas of physics with applications to biology and medicine: physics of sound,
electromagnetism, analysis of force and movement, nuclear physics and thermodynamics;
• Understand how the aforementioned concepts are important for biological systems work;
• Understand how several medical devices, used in clinical applications and know the instrumentation with
each device and their specific applications;
• Understand the main applications, limitations and health risks associated with the use of the medical
devices discussed in class;
• Measure in a laboratory the parameters discussed in the theoretical classes, correctly handling the
appropriate medical devices
• Understand general notions of biomechanics applied to health.

Syllabus

Theoretical classes:
1. Nuclear medicine
1.1. Radiation physics
1.2. Physiologic effects of radiation
1.3. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques
1.4. Radiotherapy
1.5. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
2. Bioelectromagnetism
2.1. Revision of electromagnetism
2.2. Generation, propagation and transmission of nerve impulses
2.3. Measurement of biomagnetic and bioelectric potentials
2.4. Neuronal stimulation techniques
3. Lasers and ultrasounds
3.1. Physics of sound
3.2. Imaging with ultrasound
3.3. Applications of ultrasounds
3.4. Definition and properties of lasers
3.5. Applications and security
4. Biomechanics
4.1. Revision of forces and movement
4.2. Composition and mechanical properties of connective tissue
4.3. Therapeutic applications of forces
Practical classes
1. Pulse oximetry
2. Electocardiography
3. Ultrasonography
4. Cinematic analysis of motion

Demonstration of the syllabus coherence with the UC intended learning outcomes

The syllabus is consistent with the intended learning outcomes of the course, in both the theoretical and
laboratorial components of it. It is expected that students can learn how to measure some parameters,
introduced in the theoretical classes, by handling appropriate medical devices (objective 5). The latter
objective is covered by the laboratorial classes. Regarding the theoretical component, the division of each
main topic of the syllabus (Medical Physics, Bioelectromagnetism, Lasers and ultrasounds and
Biomechanics) is aimed at meeting each of the remaining objectives: objective one is met by an
introduction / revision of physical principles underlying each of the main topics; the second objective is
met by the presence of classes dedicated to the explaining biological systems related to each of the maintopics (for instance, in the topic “Medical Physics”, the interaction between radiation and tissues is
discussed; in the topic “Bioelectromagnetism”, nerve impulses are discussed and their role in the nervous
system, cardiac system and skeletal muscle system is taught; in the topic “Biomechanics” the
biomechanical properties of different connective tissues are discussed); objectives three and four are
partly met by a detailed discussion about several medical devices. The laboratorial component also partly
meets objectives three and four by presenting, in a more practical hands-on approach some medical
devices.

Teaching methodologies

Theoretical classes follow a participatory-expository teaching methodology. Theoretical-practical classes
promote students’ autonomy to solve exercices. In the laboratory classes students will be asked to
perform experiments covering syllabus and focus on providing students with skills for hands-on
competences on the field. The final classification (FC) of curricular unit for continuous evaluation is
obtained from the marks obtained in the written component.

Demonstration of the teaching methodologies coherence with the curricular unit's intended learning outcomes

The expository-participatory methodology, adopted in the theoretical classes is adequate to the study of
the several themes discussed during this curricular unit. These contents are grouped on 4 modules:
Module A: Nuclear Medicine; Module B: Bio electromagnetism; Module C: Lasers and ultrasound and
Module D: Biomechanics. The problems solved during the theoretical-practical classes also help in
understanding some concepts that are hard to fully understand with a mere theoretical exposition.
Laboratory classes allow for a hands-on approach that complements some of the topics discussed in the
theoretical classes.
The evaluation methods require that students apply the knowledge acquired during this course in an
integrated perspective leading to the expected outcomes. Written tests during the semester allow for
students to consolidate knowledge acquired during the curricular unit step-by-step.

Assessment methodologies and evidences

The written component consists of two written tests containing both the theoretical and the theoretical
-practical contents. The final grade is calculated from the following formula: FC = 0.50*T + 0.25*TP+0,25*PL.
The classification of all assessment instruments is expressed on a scale of 0 to 20, and the weighted value
of the marks obtained must be equal or greater than 10. The exam consists in a written test, in which the
approval will require a rating equal to or higher than 10.

Bibliografia

Fung, Y. C. (1993). Biomechanics: Mechanical Properties of Living Tissues, 2nd ed.,
Kane, S. A. (2009). Introduction to physics in modern medicine, 2nd ed. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis
Group, Boca Raton.
Kerr, A, 2010. Introductory Biomechanics, Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
Khan, F. M. (2010). The physics of radiation therapy, 4th ed. Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott
Malmivuo, J., Plonsey, R. (1995). Bioelectromagnetism: Principles and applications of bioelectric and
biomagnetic field, 1st ed. Oxford University Press.
Panjabi, M.M. and White A.A. (2001). Biomechanics in the Musculoskeletal System, 1st. ed., Churchill
Levingtone.
Plonsey, R., Barr, R.C. (2007). Bioelectricity: a quantitative approach, 3rd ed. Springer Science, New York.