ROCKHURST UNIVERSITY

Course Descriptions:

 

PH 3200 Physics of the Body I

This course expands on the physics principles developed in introductory physics courses through an in-depth study of mechanics, fluids and thermodynamics as they are applied to the human body.  Areas of study include the following:  biomechanics (torque, force, motion and lever systems of the body; application of vector analysis of human movement to video), thermodynamics and heat transfer (food intake and mechanical efficiency) and the pulmonary system (pressure, volume and compliance relationships). Guest speakers from the medical community will be invited.

Prerequisites: PH 1700/1710 & PH 1750/1760 OR PH 2800/2810 & PH 2900/2910

 

PH 3210 Physics of the Body II: This course is a continuation of Physics of the Body I with a concentration on the cardiovascular system, electricity and wave motion.  Areas of study include the following:  cardiovascular system (heart as a force pump, blood flow and pressure), electricity in the body (action potentials, resistance-capacitance circuit of nerve impulse propagation, EEG, EKG, EMG), and sound (hearing, voice production, sound transfer and impedance, ultrasound – transmission and reflection). In addition, students complete a guided, in-depth, individual investigation on a topic pertinent to Physics of the Body.  Guest speakers from the medical community will be invited.

Prerequisite:  PH 3200 Physics of the Body I.

 

PH 3240 Physics of Health Care Instrumentation

This course focuses on an introduction to areas of modern physics required for an understanding of contemporary medical diagnostic and treatment procedures.  Topics include a focus on the physics underlying modern medical imaging instruments:  the EM Spectrum, X-Ray, CT, Gamma Camera, SPECT, PET, MRI and hybrid instrumentation.   In this course, students learn about the physics involved in how these diagnostic and therapeutic instruments work as well as the numerous physics and patient factors that contribute to the choice of instrument for diagnosis.  There will be field trips to local hospitals and medical imaging facilities and invited guest speakers.

Prerequisites:  PH 1750 or PH 2900, and MT 1800 Calculus I

 

PH 4400 Optics

This course covers both the geometric and physical properties of optical principles including optics of the eye, lasers, fiber optics, and use of endoscopy in medicine.  Students will complete a final optics research project in which they relate content learned to an area of optics research.

Prerequisites:  PH 1750 or PH 2900and MT 1800 Calculus I

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MT 3260 Mathematical Modeling in Medicine

Students will build mathematical models and use these models to answer questions in various areas of medicine.  Topics may include:  Epidemic modeling, genetics, drug treatment, bacterial population modeling, and neural systems/networks.

Prerequisite:  A grade of C or better in MT 1800

 

 

 

PHYSICS OF MEDICINE

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS