Foundations of physics for the health sciences including mechanics, properties of fluids and solids, thermodynamics, optics, electrostatics and DC circuits, and radiation and health.
PHSI 191 first semester and PHSI 191 Summer School:
Physics is central to an understanding
of biomedical science. The aim of this paper is to provide the base concepts of physics
necessary for studies in the health and life sciences as clearly as possible. The
content of this paper has been chosen in close collaboration with the clinicians and
academics in the Faculty of Health Science. PHSI 191 is a required part of the Health
Sciences First Year programme at Otago and is a prerequisite paper for a number of
other science papers.
| Paper title | Biological Physics |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PHSI191 |
| Subject | Physics |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Summer School
(On campus)
Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $1,141.35 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- PHSI 110 and PHSI 131
- Schedule C
- Science
- Notes
- (i) It is strongly recommended that students enrolling in PHSI191 have achieved the externally examined Achievement Standards for NCEA Level 3 Physics. (ii) PHSI191 may only be taken at Summer School by students who were enrolled in PHSI191 in the first semester of the previous year, and passed the laboratory assessment but failed the paper as a whole.
- Eligibility
PHSI 191 first semester:
There are no specific entry requirements for students taking PHSI 191, but it is recommended that students achieved the externally examined Achievement Standards for NCEA Level 3 Physics (or hold an equivalent qualification).
PHSI 191 Summer School:
The Summer School version of PHSI 191 is only available to students who have enrolled for and failed the first-semester version in the previous year. Students would normally be required to have passed the laboratory component of the first-semester version of the paper in the previous year.
Summer School enrolments for this paper require departmental permission. View more information about departmental permission.- Contact
- physics@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View further information for PHSI 191
- Teaching staff
Course Director: Professor Craig Rodger
Course Co-ordinator: Dr Terry Scott
Lecturers from the Department of PhysicsPHSI 191 Summer School:
Course Co-ordinators: Professor Craig Rodger, Dr Terry Scott
Lecturers from the Department of Physics- Paper Structure
PHSI 191 first semester and PHSI 191 Summer School:
The paper covers physics topics relevant to biology, arranged in the following modules:- Overview of mathematical techniques
- Mechanics of movement
- Macroscopic properties of fluids and solids
- Thermodynamics
- Electrostatics and DC circuits
- Optics
- Radiation and health
- Teaching Arrangements
PHSI 191 first semester:
The paper comprises 36 lectures. There are five compulsory 3-hour laboratories and five laboratory assessment tests. A progress test will be held around the middle of the course.Assessment:
- Laboratory assessment tests 10%
- Progress test 20% (plussage applies)
- Final Exam 70%
PHSI 191 Summer School:
The paper comprises 23 2-hour lectures/tutorial sessions. There are six Lab Assessment Tests. A mid-course Progress Test will be held about halfway through the course. The laboratory grade is carried over from the first-semester course.Assessment:
- Lab Assessment Tests 10%
- Progress Test 20% (plussage applies)
- Final Exam 70%
- Textbooks
PHSI 191 first semester and PHSI 191 Summer School:
Required: Introduction to Biological Physics for the Health and Life Sciences, 2nd Edition, by Franklin et al. (Wiley 2019)- Course outline
- View course outline for PHSI 191
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Critical thinking, Self-motivation,
Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- PHSI 191 first semester and PHSI 191 Summer School:
- Apply an understanding of physical principles to biological systems
- Use algebraic techniques to calculate the predicted value of physical quantities
- Use a knowledge of physical principles to predict and rationalise the outcome of physical interactions
- Carry out basic data collection and analysis tasks in the laboratory
