Teaching directory
Course 2024-2025

Life Science Physics I: Mechanics [SPHYB161]

  • 6 credits
  • 45h+22.5h
  • 1st quarter
Language of instruction: French / Français

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will be able to :

  • understand the basic notions and concepts related to classical mechanics
  • apply this knowledge to the understanding of various physical phenomena

The student will be required to understand the material in depth. He/she will be required to apply the theory in simple situations (notably through course or TD exercises).

Objectives

The aim of the course is to provide a solid foundation of knowledge in physics, more specifically in areas related to mechanics. The applications are chosen in connection with the life sciences.

Content

This course in physics is mostly based on observations, from which lessons, models, rigorous reasoning and the deduction of physical laws are drawn. These laws are then applied to the explanation of phenomena related to the life sciences, everyday life or nature.

Table of contents

  • Chapter 1: Introduction.
  • Chapter 2: Kinematics.
  • Chapter 3: Forces.
  • Chapter 4: Newton's Laws.
  • Chapter 5: The centre of mass, momentum and impulse.
  • Chapter 6: Moment of force and static equilibrium.
  • Chapter 7: Energy and its Conservation.
  • Chapter 8: Elasticity and Vibration.
  • Chapter 9: Fluid Statics.
  • Chapter 10: Fluid Circulation.

Teaching methods

Theoretical course

  • The course will be given as a lecture (slide show and board). The slides presented will be available on webcampus before the course.
  • For some parts, the student may have to get to know the material beforehand, by watching videos; in this case, the course will be used to answer questions and/or to apply the theoretical material.
  • The student is invited to ask any questions to the teacher, either during the inter-course or via the course Teams.

Student support

  • Formative assessment tools will be made available to students.
  • The supervision of the students will be completed by question and answer sessions (possibly on Teams).

TD sessions

  • The exercise sessions (TD, Travaux Dirigés), supervised by assistants, are organised in small groups, which allows the student to apply the different theoretical concepts. The practical organisation will be explained in the course in due course.

Evaluations

  • An examination on the theoretical material and on the TDs (exercises) is organised in sessions (January, June and August).
  • Details will be explained in due course and will be available on webcampus and Teams.

Recommended readings

  • All course materials and information are posted on webcampus and/or Teams.
  • The student is required to regularly check the distribution channels related to the course:
    • Teams is used for interactive activities (information, questions/answers, important messages, etc.)
    • Webcampus is used to deposit documents (slides, videos, tutorials, etc)

Language of instruction

French / Français

Location for course

NAMUR

Organizer

Faculté des sciences
Rue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR

Degree of Reference

Undergraduate Degree