Foundation Physics for Earth and Life Sciences

This course is aimed at students who may have no prior background in physics but who would like to learn about how physics affects the world around them, in particular the impact physics has on the earth and life sciences. This course may be of particular interest to those
considering a career in post-primary teaching. It carries 10 credits (ECTS). It is a foundation course of 44 hours of lectures or tutorials and 12 hours of experimental laboratory work and includes the followingtopics: physics of motion (mechanics), biomechanics, physics of hearing and seeing (waves), electricity and magnetism and bioelectricity, radioactivity, nuclear physics and related medical applications, heat, pressure and fluids and some of their biological, geological and medical applications.

Learning Outcomes:
– Demonstrate the application of classical physics within the biomedical and earth sciences.
– Connect the study of wave phenomena and electromagnetism with ultrasound diagnostics and vision.
– Relate basic knowledge of atomic and nuclear physics to radiation diagnostics and therapy, and to geological applications.
– Prepare a brief report, including error analysis, on a simple physical experiment.
– Through homework: (i) to identify the appropriate concepts, principles, and relations that apply to the problem; (ii) to provide a reasonable and appropriate explanation of why they apply; and (iii) to solve physics problems at a foundation level.