Entry requirements

90 credits in biology and/or chemistry, including 10 credits in biochemistry and 10 credits in molecular biology, and 15 credits in mathematics or statistics.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall be able to:

• analyze physical processes and situations using basic concepts and relations in mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and quantum physics
• perform calculations and reason about relevant quantities for physical and biophysical systems based on mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and quantum physics
• use mathematical calculation methods to perform studies, modeling and assessments with applications to physical and biophysical systems
• demonstrate analytical problem-solving ability using appropriate physical models, assumptions and approximations and be able to assess the results plausibility to describe phenomena in our environment
• plan and perform laboratory work in physics, and document and report the results of experimental studies, both orally and in writing, as well as discuss their physical interpretation
• demonstrate knowledge of ethical aspects, gender equality and sustainability within the course area and in an interdisciplinary environment

Content

Mechanics: Kinematics of particles, described using Cartesian coordinates, speed, acceleration. Dynamics of particles, force, momentum, Newton's laws, work and energy. Particle system, mass center. Kinematics of rigid bodies and dynamics: Euler's laws for rotation around a fixed axis. Moment of inertia, torque, angular momentum. Oscillations. Models for motion of objects with applications.

Thermodynamics: The laws of thermodynamics: temperature, enthalpy, entropy, internal energy, free energy, chemical potential, phase equilibria: mixtures, solutions, colligative properties and chemical reaction equilibrium: Boltzmann's distribution law, ensembles and partition functions: numerical calculations of thermodynamic properties.

Electromagnetism and optics: Coulomb's law, Gauss law, electric field and electric potential, electric dipole. Capacitors, electrostatic energy. Periodic motion, vibrations. Electromagnetic waves and optics: reflection, refraction, dispersion, polarization, interference and diffraction. Biophysical applications of electrostatics, magnetism, electromagnetic waves and optics.

Quantum physics: particle-wave duality: photons as particles, photoelectric effect, elastic and inelastic scattering. Electrons as waves, double-slit experiments. Atomic spectra and atomic structure, quantized energy levels, laser. Wave functions and probabilities, Schrödinger equation, quantum description of the hydrogen atom. 

The mathematical methods of physics provide fundamental methods and tools for the treatment of physical problems: linear systems of equations, matrices, vector calculus, bases, coordinates, scalar product and vector product. Functions, derivatives, integrals and integration techniques. Basic theory and properties of Fourier series and Fourier transform. Applications to differential equations. Partial differential equations.

Instruction

Lectures, lessons, laboratory work, seminars.

Assessment

Assignments and oral examination in mechanics and thermodynamics (6 credits), assignments and oral examination in electromagnetism and quantum physics (5 credits), and laboratory work, written and oral presentations (4 credits).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.