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Unit outline_

BMET2903: Biomedical Physics

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit offers essential knowledge of physics for applications in biomedical engineering, medicine and medical sciences. The unit will cover fundamentals concepts of electromagnetism, optics and quantum physics - these concepts are becoming rapidly relevant and vital with new and emerging technologies in the biomedical and health sector. It is imperative for the next generation of biomedical engineers and healthcare providers to develop a strong foundational knowledge in these concepts in the context of biomedicine. The knowledge provided by this unit is intended to prepare the students to be able to understand pivotal technologies used in medical research and the medical clinic, such as fluorescence based imaging, nuclear magnetic resonance, magnetotherapy.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12cp of 1000-level MATH units of study
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
BMET9903
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hamish Fernando, hamish.fernando@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Rongkun Zheng, rongkun.zheng@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Bruce Yabsley, bruce.yabsley@sydney.edu.au
Sophie Cottam, sophie.cottam@sydney.edu.au
Joshua Maggiora, joshua.maggiora@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Supervised exam covering the whole course.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Small continuous assessment Lab reports
Experimental reports describing the aim of the experiment, method, results.
35% Multiple weeks 6 hours (each). Due 7 days after lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Help me understand
Help a layperson understand a physical concept related to healthcare
10% Ongoing 10-15 minute in-person discussion
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Electromagnetism assignment
Online quiz
5% Week 03
Due date: 08 Mar 2024 at 23:59
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Assignment Optics assignment
Online quiz
5% Week 07
Due date: 12 Apr 2024 at 23:59
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Assignment Quantum physics assignment
Online quiz
5% Week 11
Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:59
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

For each of the lab blocks (electromagnetism, optics and quantum physics), you are required to submit a written lab report. Your mark for each report carries a weight of 8, 12 and 15% respectively. Each report is due 7 days after your lab session.

 

"Help me understand" assessment involves a one-on-one discussion with a layperson in order to help them understand concepts from lectures. Students will be allowed to bring any material to help communicate (although no script will be allowed). One question will be posted after each week's lectures, and the discussion for any question must be done within the relevant week. This task needs to be done for a single (1) week only, for which the 10% would apply. 

Assessment criteria

Result code

Result name

Mark range

Description

HD

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

DI

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

CR

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

PS

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

FA

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

 

 .

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Late penalties for all submissions: 5% per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Electromagnetism Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Electromagnetism Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Electromagnetism Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Electromagnetism based experiments Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Optics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Optics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Optics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Optics based experiments Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Quantum physics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Quantum physics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Quantum physics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Quantum physics based experiments Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Revision of concepts Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

At least seven of nine tutorials must be attended in order to sit for the final exam. 

Attendance to labs is mandatory in order to submit the associated lab report. 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Effectively interpret and communicate the significance of experimental results and analyses, including an adequate interpretation of inaccuracies.
  • LO2. Develop interpersonal skills and project management competences to collaborate as part of a team to solve theoretical and experimental problems in biomedical physics.
  • LO3. Understand and describe the value of different perspectives and disciplines, as well as the need of multidisciplinary approaches to productively address scientific and technological challenges.
  • LO4. Understand, employ and effectively communicate physical concepts of electromagnetism, optics and quantum physics with emphasis in biomedical applications.
  • LO5. Develop hands-on experience in an experimental setting to evaluate underlying principles of instrumentation used in biomedical engineering.
  • LO6. Apply relevant equations and calculate solutions to problems involving electromagnetism, optics and quantum physics principles.
  • LO7. Apply mathematical techniques comprising infinitesimal calculus and linear algebra to model and calculate systems related to electromagnetism, optics and quantum physics.
  • LO8. Develop ideas and applications based on existing and learned physical principles

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changing the final exam weightage by adding another assessment ("Help me understand" assessment). Staggering the weightage of the lab reports so students can work on their first report at relatively low stakes and use the feedback to work better on subsequent reports.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.