640-151 Physics for Biomedical Science A

Note

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Some knowledge of physics, VCE Mathematical Methods 3/4 (or an equivalent subject). For BSc students, entry to this subject will be by invitation of the Head of the School of Physics, usually requiring a very high level of achievement in the final year of secondary school.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

An understanding of physics is essential to the description of many biological processes and the development of modern medical science and technology. This is the first subject of a two-semester sequence which will develop students' appreciation of the importance of physical principles to biomedical science as well as their understanding of the principles underpinning human structure and function, medical diagnostics and therapeutics.

The subject provides an introduction to several areas. Acoustics: Hearing, speech, ultrasound imaging, therapeutic applications of sound (properties of waves, the nature of sound, superposition of waves, Doppler effect, interaction of sound with matter). Optics: Optical imaging and sensing and human and animal vision (reflection, refraction and dispersion of light, mirrors and images, optical fibres, lenses, optical imaging and optical instruments). Atomic physics and lasers: Fluorescence imaging and spectroscopy, laser surgery (structure of the atom, photons, spectroscopy, interaction of light with matter). Mechanics: Human and animal movement, sport, injuries (Newton's laws of motion, energy transfer and transformation, mechanical properties of materials, elasticity, compression and extension).

Assessment

A 3-hour end of semester examination (65%); laboratory work together with reading assignment(s) totalling 2000-3000 words (25%); a 1-hour mid-semester test (10%).