Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Biophysics

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
FK_058
Branch of Science
Physical sciences; The physics of solids
ECTS
1.50
Target Audience
Nursing Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Department of Physics
Contacts

Riga, 26a Anninmuizas boulevard, 1st floor, Rooms No 147 a and b, fizika@rsu.lv, +371 67061539

About Study Course

Objective

1. To promote the knowledge acquisition of general matters in medical physics; 2. To promote understanding of the importance of physics and mathematical equipment in principles of medical diagnostic equipment and in diagnosis of diseases; 3. To acquire types of tasks in medical physics (biomechanics, blood flow, eye’s optical system, hearing) and their methods of calculation.

Preliminary Knowledge

Knowledge of mathematics and physics.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Use medical physics terminology correctly. 2. State importance of physics and mathematics in medicine and in the processes of disease diagnostics. 3. Describe physical properties of parameters acquired in medical diagnostics and methods of acquiring. 4. Explain basic principles in diagnostics of cardio-vascular diseases. 5. Explain formation of blood transfusion and syringe from the point of physical-mathematical perspective. 6. Name and evaluate effects that the range of electromagnetic spectrum has on human health. 7. Explain the structure of medical laser, principles of function, use in medicine and laser safety. 8. Explain the structure and operational principles of medical diagnostics equipment and direction of further development. 9. Assess physical world effects on the human body and the protective measures of the adverse effects. 10. Explain operating principles of X-ray and computed tomography and use in medicine.

Skills

1.Upon successful acquisition of the course, the students will be able to: 1. Process physical measurement data. 2. Use the terminology of medical physics. 3. Measure and assess the background radiation values.

Competences

1.Upon successful acquisition of the course, the students will be able to assess physical (both natural and technological) phenomena, their effect on the human body and to justify their application in medical diagnostics.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
During the course the students do individual and pair work – development of laboratory work according to the course themes; they study the given resources and scientific publications. Tasks about the blood flow, the structure of syringes, blood transfusion, calculation of the human body frame parameters.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
Students participation in practical classes, individual assignment in the seminar and results of the practical work during the colloquium are evaluated. There are different types of test questions in the test.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Introduction in medical physics. Biomechanical principles.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Waves and oscillations.
  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Electricity and magnetism.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Mechanical waves. Sound and its physical characteristics. Logarithmic scales. Physical basics of clinical acoustic examination methods. Acoustic measurements and their application in medicine. Acoustic methods in medical diagnostics. Practical work: Audiometer.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Magnetic field, its characteristics. Earth's magnetic field, its meaning. Magnetic properties of substances. Magnetic properties of human body tissues. Electromagnetic field and its effect on the human body. Use of magnetic field in medicine. Nuclear magnetic resonance. Magnetic resonance imaging. Practical work: Research of the Earth's magnetic field.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Transducers. Electric measurements of non-electric physical quantities. Practical work: Thermoelectric transducers.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Beam (geometric) optics. Laws of light propagation. Optical systems. The human eye. Basic principles of optical microscopy. Optical fibers and their use in medicine. Endoscopy. Light polarization. Methods of obtaining polarized light. Optical activity of substances. Research of biological tissues in polarized light. Practical work: Light refractometry / polarimetry.
  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Types of ionizing radiation. X-rays, its origin. Braking and characteristic X-rays, their spectra. X-ray interaction with a substance. Use of X-rays in medicine. Computed tomography. Radioactivity. Radioactive decay law. Effects of ionizing radiation on the human body. Dosimetry devices. Use of radioactive isotopes and neutrons in medicine. Particle accelerators and their use in medicine. Practical work: Particle counter.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
1.50
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

P. Davidovits. Physics in Biology and Medicine. Academic press, 2008 (3rd ed.). (akceptējams izdevums)

Additional Reading

1.

S. Amador Kane. Introduction to physics in modern medicine. - Taylor & Francis, 2003.

2.

D. Giancoli. Physics: principles with applications. - Prentice Hall, 2005.