58200 - Applied Physics

Learning outcomes

After completing this module the student knows the physical and methodological foundations of the scientific method for medical applications. In particular, it is able to: - acquire the experimental data in biomedicine, - analyze data and develop predictive models; - verify experimentally the models.

Course contents

Fundamentals of Mathematics: the Cartesian plane. Scalars and vectors: algebraic operations (sum, product). The Scientific Method. Basics of Theory of Measurement.

Solid and fluid mechanics Kinematics: uniform motion, uniformly accelerated motion, uniform circular motion and harmonic oscillator. Dynamics: fundamental principles. Conservative forces/fields and potential energy. Work and mechanical energy. Friction and dissipative forces. Static equilibrium of rigid bodies. 

Fluids: statics and dynamics. Pascal's principle and buoyancy. Flow and Bernoulli's theorem. Viscosity, Poiseuille's law. Respiratory and cardiovascular applications. Surface tension, capillarity. Diffusion and osmotic pressure. 

Electromagnetism Static electric and magnetic fields: forces and potential energy. Properties and phenomena of magnetic and electric fields: induction, polarization and ionization. The capacitor and the solenoid. Conductive bodies and insulators: Ohm's law. Circuitry and flow of E and B fields in the static and time-varying conditions. 

Spectrum of electromagnetic waves and applications in biology and medicine. Waves, modern physics and radiation Waves: definition and characteristics. Examples of wave phenomena. The spectrum of the e.m. waves and interaction with matter as a function of frequency. Photons: photoelectric effect and Compton effect. Applications to modern biomedical techniques (NMR, CT). 

Readings/Bibliography

-ELEMENTI DI FISICA IN MEDICINA E BIOLOGIA -G. Castellani -D. Remondini Ed. Bononia University Press 2014

-Teaching slides available on AMS Campus

Teaching methods

Class lectures with exercises on the treated topics.

Assessment methods

Didactic objectives: - knowledge of the main scientific procedures for the interpretation of experimental data - knowledge of the main concepts in mechanics and electromagnetism - ability to associate the studied concepts to biological processes and biomedical techniques, as learnt in lessons
The final Applied Physics exam is a written test, which result is combined with the result of the Statistics exam. The integrated course is completed if both exams have a positive outcome, and the final evaluation is a combination of both exams, weighted on the number of credits.

Teaching tools

Slides and blackboard

Office hours

See the website of Silvia Arcelli