To acquire the basic elements of Physics through its fundamental laws using the most important physical quantities. To acquire enough expertise in modelling simple physical systems in a quantitative way.

More specifically the learning objectives include

• the ability to use the International System of Measuring Units;
• the knowledge of the main physics laws concerning the mechanics of the point mass and of the rigid body, the statics and dynamics of fluids, the electrostatics, the electrodynamics and magnetism;
• the capacity to outline a physical system and to analyse qualitative its behaviour;
• the ability to analyse a system in a quantitative way, for instance in terms of forces or energy and momentum conservation;
• the capacity to formulate and solve simple physics problems;
• the ability to express in a scientifically correct language the properties and behaviour of physical systems.

1. Units
1.1 International system of units
1.2 Length, angle, time and mass units
1.3 Dimensional analysis, change of units

2. Scalars and vectors
2.1 Geometric, analytic definitions
2.2 Addition, subtraction of vectors
2.3 Scalar product of vectors, modulus

3. Point mass kinematics
3.1 Displacement as a vector
3.2 Velocity and acceleration
3.3 Uniform and accelerated rectilinear motion
3.4 Uniform circular motion: angular velocity, centripetal acceleration

4 Point mass dynamics
4.1 Law of inertia
4.2 Newton's second law
4.3 Force and acceleration, the concept of mass
4.4 Action and reaction
4.5 Example of forces: gravitational force, elastic force, constraints and friction.

5 Work and kinetic energy
5.1 Mechanical work 
5.2 Kinetic energy in translational and rotational motions
5.3 Kinetic energy theorem

6 Potential energy, energy conservation
6.1 Gravitational potential
6.2 Inclined plane
6.3 Conservative forces
6.4 Mechanical energy

7 Systems of point masses
7.1 Internal and external forces
7.2 Centre of mass
7.3 Rotational kinetic energy, momentum of inertia
7.4 Angular momentum

8 Fluid statics
8.1 Density and pressure
8.2 Water-based, mercury-based barometers
8.3 Atmospheric and blood pressure
8.4 Pascal's principle, Stevin's law
8.5 Archimedes' principle

9 Fluid dynamics
9.1 Ideal fluids
9.2 Flow lines, continuity equation
9.3 Bernoulli's equation, Venturi effect
9.4 Real fluids: viscosity, capillarity, surface tension

10 Electrostatics
10.1 Electric charge
10.2 Coulomb's law
10.3 Electric field
10.4 Point charge field
10.5 Electric dipole
10.6 Gauss' law
10.7 Dielectrics e polarization

11 Electrostatic potential
11.1 Electric potential energy
11.2 Electrostatic potential, potential difference
11.3 Potential in a central and in a uniform field
11.4 Battery as a source of potential difference

12 Electric current
12.1 Conduttori e isolanti
12.2 Electric current density in a conductor
12.3 Resistance and Ohm's law
12.4 Joule effect

13 Magnetic field
13.1 Field of permanent magnets
13.2 Magnetic field due to a current running through a wire
13.3 Ampère's law
13.4 Solenoidal magnetic field
13.5 Lorentz's force on a electrict charge
13.6 Motion of a charge in a magnetic field
13.7 Mass spectrometer

The student should have acquired the mathematical competences made available by the course "Medical statistics with elements of mathematics"

Knowledge and understanding: the student will know the main laws of Pjhysics, particularly in the fields of point mass mechanics, of the mechanics of the rigid body and of the fluids. The student will possess basic knowledge of electrostatic and magnetism.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will be in position to apply the laws of Physics to real problems, and to solve them both in a qualitative and quantitative way.
Making judgements: the students will be able to assess the plausibility of a result, both on the basis of correct units, and by means of analogical reasoning and scientific sense.
Communication skills: the student will acquire a correct scientific language, which includes the appropriate use of the units..
Learning skills: the student will be able to expand his/her knowledge on specific topics, not discussed in the course, by means of non-specialistic scientific texts.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

A set of self-evaluation exercises will be made regularly available on Moodle to allow testing the capacity to solve simple problems, for each course topic.

Teaching

Frontal lessons

Attendance

Attending the course is not a requirement, but it is strongly recommended.

Course books

Choose one out of the two following textbooks:

• Burns D. & MacDonald G., Physics for biology and pre-medical students, Addison Wesley
• Halliday, Resnick, Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7th edition, Wiley

It is not required to study the whole textbook, but to select relevant chapters and sections on the basis of the detailed course syllabus.

Assessment

Written test, which requires to solve simple exercises on the programme, followed by an oral exam.
The vote on the written test, in thirthiets, results from the number of correct exercises. For instance, if 10 exercises are assigned, each will be graded from 0 to 3 inclusive. No negative grades will be assigned.
It is required to obtain at least 16/30 on the written test to be admitted to the oral exam.
The oral exam requires answering a few questions on the theory, and contributes to the overall vote (again, in thirthiets) indicatively with 5 points to be added or subtracted to the vote obtained in the written test.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

The students not attending the course have access to the course slides on the Moodle platform, and to the same self-evaluation exercises available to the attending students.

Attendance

The same

Course books

The same

Assessment

The same

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

The following mathematical concepts will be used during the course and should be known to the students

Geometry: straight line, half-line, segments, angles, right-angled triangle, Pythagoras' theorem. Circle, circumference and area.
Cartesian reference system: coordinates to locate a point in two and three dimensions
Trigonometry: sine and cosine (sin,cos) functions, relationship between hypothenuse and catheti in a right-angled triangle.
Functions: exponential and logarithm
Algebra: first and second degree equations with one unknown. Systems of first degree equations with two unknowns.