BI1PE2: Essentials of Physics for Medicine

Module code: BI1PE2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Yoshikatsu Hayashi, email: y.hayashi@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Professor Slawomir Nasuto, email: s.j.nasuto@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

Physics is at the heart of medicine, both in terms of the functioning of the body and the instrumentation we use to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. This module provides will provide you with a basic understanding of fundamental principles linked closely to their relevance in the functioning, diagnosis, and treatment of human conditions. It will also provide you with a basis to build knowledge for future modules with a greater focus on clinical applications. You will learn how mechanics is applicable to the motion of joints and the interaction between the skeletal and muscular systems. You will also gain a good understanding in how fluid dynamics underpins the functioning of the circulatory system and forms basis of conditions and treatments concerning the heart. You will understand how vectors and electric circuits are applied to electrocardiography, the electrical activity of the heart and neurology. You will be able to explain the principles of Nuclear Physics underpinning the use ionising radiation is used in diagnostics and therapy. Finally, you will gain knowledge of how optics gives us an understanding of optometry, endoscopy, lasers and surgical techniques.  

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Describe how fundamental physical theory relates to the functioning of, and common conditions associated with, of a range of organs and systems in the human body
2. Explain how physical theory relates to the construction of a range of diagnostic instruments
3. Explain physical interventions for common conditions in the light of functioning and diagnostics

Module content

Lecture material will include the following topics: 

• How forces interact (Newtons Laws) - comparing materials in terms of strength and elasticity and how this relates to biomechanics. 
• Describe and interpret graphs of a range of motions 
• Electricity - charge and energy, circuits, resistance and resistivity in terms of current and voltage and how this relates to neural signalling 
• Types of waves, their characteristics and how they transfer energy 
• Reflection, refraction and absorption and apply these to optical instruments such as the microscope and endoscope  
• Operation of lasers and quantum mechanics and their application in medicine. 
• Laws of thermodynamics and how they apply to body temperature regulation. 
• Radioactivity and its applications in medicine 
• Basic principles of fluid dynamics and how they apply to the circulatory system. 
• Basic mechanisms behind measurement and imaging devices. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The learning outcomes will be met through a mixture of lectures, practical classes, self-directed learning and directed independent study. Appropriate supplementary information and reading lists will be provided on Blackboard. 

Study hours

At least 41 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Students taking the BEng Biomedical Engineering programme must also achieve a mark of at least 30% in each assessment.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Reassessment

Additional costs