The course aims to introduce students to the basic concepts of Physics both at the level of experimental techniques and at the level of understanding the basic processes and functions studied by Life Sciences. The concepts of physics are introduced through issues raised by the phenomenon of life and are complemented by many other topics in modern Biophysics and Biology.
The selection of the examined topics is based on the needs of the Life Sciences. Some typical topics that are not central to the life sciences are omitted (eg Kepler's laws, special relativity theory, elementary particle physics, astrophysics, etc.). The principles of physics are introduced, where possible, through biology issues whereas life sciences issues are everywhere embedded in the teaching material of this course. This stimulates the students' interest as they examine issues belonging in the core of their studies, from the perspective of Physics. Introductory concepts in measurement and statistical analysis methodologies that are necessary in almost all the sciences are also taught in the practical exercises.
Physics course aims to introduce students to the basic concepts upon which many important developments in molecular and cell biology have been based. Moreover, the Physics course provides students with cognitive tools that connect many types of phenomena that are unrelated to each other. Many of these tools are quantitative and can "standardize" a phenomenon to confirm or reject a theoretical hypothesis. Thus, students with this knowledge are called upon to deal with problems they encounter for the first time, using the right tools-laws.