ECTS credits ECTS credits: 6
ECTS Hours Rules/Memories Hours of tutorials: 3 Expository Class: 18 Interactive Classroom: 32 Total: 53
Use languages Spanish, Galician
Type: Ordinary Degree Subject RD 1393/2007 - 822/2021
Departments: Applied Physics
Areas: Applied Physics
Center Faculty of Optics and Optometry
Call: First Semester
Teaching: With teaching
Enrolment: Enrollable | 1st year (Yes)
1. Define the basic methodology for conducting an experimental activity (laboratory work and statistical data analysis).
2. Describe the relevant physical phenomena for understanding ocular physiology.
3. Understand the electromagnetic nature of light.
Theoretical Topics:
TOPIC 1. EXPERIMENTAL UNCERTAINTY. Types of errors. Absolute and relative uncertainty. Uncertainty in direct measurements. Uncertainty in indirect measurements. Linear data fitting.
TOPIC 2. FUNDAMENTALS. Physical quantities. Cartesian coordinate system. Vector operations. Velocity and acceleration. Circular motion. Newton's laws. Work, energy, and power.
TOPIC 3. IDEAL FLUIDS. Concepts of pressure and density. Fundamental equation of fluid statics. Archimedes’ principle. Steady flow. Continuity equation. Bernoulli’s equation. Surface tension.
TOPIC 4. REAL FLUIDS. Viscosity. Poiseuille’s law. Reynolds number.
TOPIC 5. OSCILLATIONS. Harmonic motion. Hooke’s law. Energy of harmonic motion. Superposition of harmonic motions. Damped harmonic motion.
TOPIC 6. WAVE MOTION. Oscillations in an elastic medium. Longitudinal and transverse waves. Wave parameters. Plane waves. Spherical waves. Wave intensity. Damped waves. Standing waves. Sound and ultrasound.
TOPIC 7. ELECTRICITY. Coulomb’s law. Electric field and potential. Conductive materials. Electric dipole. Dielectric materials. Nerve impulse. Electric current. Electric circuits.
TOPIC 8. MAGNETISM. Ampère’s law. Magnetic induction field. Magnetic dipole. Magnetic materials. Magnetic field. Lorentz force. Biomagnetism.
TOPIC 9. ELECTROMAGNETISM. Lenz-Faraday’s law. Electromagnetic waves. Propagation speed of electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic nature of light. Light polarization.
Practical Sessions:
PRACTICE 1. Pycnometry
PRACTICE 2. Viscosity
PRACTICE 3. Surface tension
PRACTICE 4. Oscillatory motion
PRACTICE 5. Direct current electrical circuits
BASIC
Jou, D., Llebot, E., Pérez, C. Física para las ciencias de la vida, Ed. McGraw-Hill/Interamericana de España, Madrid, 1994.
Ortuño, M. Física para biología, medicina, veterinaria y farmacia. Ed. Crítica, 1996.
COMPLEMENTARY
Cussó, F. Física de los procesos biológicos, Ed. Ariel, Barcelona, 2004.
Tripler, P.A., Mosca, G. Física para la ciencia y la tecnología.
Aurengo, A. Biofísica, Ed. McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 2008.
Nelson, P. Física biológica, Ed. Reverté, Barcelona, 2004.
Parisi, M. Temas de Biofísica, Ed. McGraw Hill, Santiago de Chile, 2001.
Serway, R. A., Jewett, J. W. Jr. Física, Ed. Thomson, Madrid, 2003.
Centro español de metrología. Guía para la expresión de la incertidumbre de medida. Ministerio de Fomento, 2000.
Knowledge:
• Con_1. Understand the behavior of fluids and surface phenomena.
• Con_2. Understand wave phenomena based on oscillations and mechanical waves.
• Con_3. Understand electric and magnetic fields, progressing to the electromagnetic field and electromagnetic waves.
Competencies:
• Comp_1. Students should have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific, or ethical issues.
• Comp_3. Students should have developed the learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
• Comp_4. Students should be able to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired during the degree in a professional manner and demonstrate competence in problem-solving and in the formulation/defense of arguments in both academic and professional contexts related to Optics and Optometry.
• Comp_5. Ability to learn independently, work in teams, manage time and resources, and acquire new knowledge and techniques in Optics and Optometry.
Skills and Abilities:
• HyD_1. Think in an integrated manner and approach problems from different perspectives using critical reasoning.
• HyD_2. Organize and plan work.
• HyD_3. Interpret results and identify consistent and inconsistent elements.
• HyD_4. Work as part of a team.
• HyD_5. Maintain an ethical commitment, as well as a commitment to equality and inclusion.
• HyD_8. Be able to analyze data and interpret experimental results related to the fields of Optics and Optometry.
• HyD_9. Be able to apply instrumental techniques and work protocols in a laboratory, following regulations and techniques related to safety and hygiene, waste management, and quality.
• HyD_12. Handle basic laboratory equipment and techniques.
- Lecture-based classes, focused on the development of the theoretical syllabus.
- Interactive seminar sessions, dedicated to solving exercises related to the theoretical content.
- Laboratory sessions, aimed at carrying out four practicals, after which students will submit a report.
The methodology is supported by teaching materials available through the USC Virtual Campus, including:
- Presentations used during lecture-based classes
- A collection of exercises and their solutions
- Laboratory manuals
The final grade is the result of the sum of the scores obtained in the following three components:
1. Continuous assessment – 20% weight. This will be carried out through two in-person tests.
2. Final exam – 50% weight.
3. Laboratory sessions – 30% weight. Attendance on all scheduled dates and times is mandatory. Upon completion of the experimental work, students must submit a report with the corresponding results. The assessment will consider the work performed in the lab (1 point) and the quality of the report (2 points).
If the subject is not passed in the first exam session, the student must take the final exam in the second session. The scores obtained in the continuous assessment and laboratory sessions will be retained.
If the laboratory report is not submitted in the first session, the final grade will remain pending until its submission in the second session.
To be eligible for the Distinction with Honors (Matrícula de Honor), a minimum grade of 9.5 points is required.
- Lecture-based classes: 18 hours
- Interactive seminar sessions: 15 hours
- Laboratory sessions: 15 hours
- Personalized face-to-face tutoring: 3 hours
- Exam: 2 hours
- Independent study, individual or group work: 97 hours
- Attend classes and participate actively
- Dedicate the recommended study time
- Solve the proposed exercises and questions
- Clarify doubts as soon as possible, making use of personalized tutoring sessions
In cases of fraudulent completion of exercises, tests, or assignments, the provisions of the "Regulations on the Assessment of Academic Performance and Review of Grades" shall apply:
Article 16. Fraudulent completion of exercises or tests.
The fraudulent completion of any exercise or test required for the evaluation of a subject will result in a failing grade for the corresponding exam session, regardless of any disciplinary proceedings that may be initiated against the offending student.
Fraudulent actions include, among others, the submission of plagiarized work or work taken from publicly accessible sources without proper reworking or reinterpretation and without citing the authors and sources.
Language of instruction: Galician
Maria Del Pilar Brocos Fernandez
Coordinador/a- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Applied Physics
- Phone
- 881813961
- pilar.brocos [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Lecturer
Alfredo Jose Amigo Pombo
- Department
- Applied Physics
- Area
- Applied Physics
- Phone
- 881814053
- alfredo.amigo [at] usc.es
- Category
- Professor: University Professor
| Monday | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 3 |
| Tuesday | |||
| 13:00-14:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Spanish | Classroom 3 |
| Friday | |||
| 11:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLIS_02 | Galician | Classroom 3 |
| 12:00-13:00 | Grupo /CLIS_01 | Galician | Classroom 3 |
| 01.16.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 01.16.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |
| 06.23.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 1 |
| 06.23.2026 10:00-12:00 | Grupo /CLE_01 | Classroom 2 |