After thorough investigation of the topics the following syllabus is suggested
The topics which are taught in many universities are in line with our proposed syllabus.
3.1 Premedical Physics
The purpose of premedical physics is to build academic knowledge in several fields of physics. The proposed syllabus is written on the base of 2 hours theory and 2 hours laboratory work per week/ 30 weeks per academic year. Physics at this level will be taught with the objective of enriching the concepts that will be of use to the medical sciences. Different applications will be introduced to motivate the students in the study of physics. The syllabus focuses on improving the analytical skills, for example relate directly and indirectly proportional variables and interpreting graphs while making sure that students are not burdened with the rigors of mathematics and pure physics. At this level, basic subjects need to be introduced, equipped with laboratory facilities and simple simulations.
Units and measurements
this one-hour section will explain the different units used and conversion between them. It will explain unit prefixes such as kilo, mega, etc. It will also elaborate simple measurements such as length, area volume and the different units associated with them such as square, square root, cube as well as some trigonometric functions such as sin, cosine. Simple calculations using direct and indirect proportional will be introduced to the students
Drawing and interpreting graphs
this one-hour section will explain the two axes for drawing a graph; how to draw a graph and what information can be obtained from that graph. It will be followed by a small assignment to make sure that all students have understood what is needed. Graphical representations, together with diagrams and sketching are very important tools that can be used to explain to patients and co-patients, especially those who cannot read properly some important aspects such as infants’ weight and breast feeding
Mechanics:
Mechanics is the science of motion. It basically consists of three branches: kinematics, which involves description of motion without explaining the causes for the motions, dynamics which relies on the causes of motion such as forces and energy; and statics or equilibrium. The topics will include the following:
Kinematics: (vector and scalar quantities, distance and displacement, speed and velocity, acceleration, graphical representation of motion and motion diagrams)
Dynamics (force, energy, work and power)
Statics (torque, equilibrium center of gravity and stability) and elasticity.
Thermodynamics:
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that studies energy and transformation between a system and its surrounding at a macroscopic level.
The topics of thermodynamics include: temperature and heat, thermal expansion, unusual expansion of water and marine life, the thermometer and temperature scales, the absolute zero, thermal properties of matter, heat transfer, laws of thermodynamics.
Waves
When the word "waves" is mentioned we immediately think of wind waves; waves in oceans and seas, waves made by football fans as well as light and sound. Waves will be divided into two sections. The first one (Waves 1), introduces waves and the different phenomena and focuses on mechanical waves. The second section (Waves 2), will focus on electromagnetic waves. The topics suggested include:
Waves 1: Oscillation and vibrations waves, the wave equation, electromagnetic Vs mechanical waves, Mechanical waves section includes: transverse and longitudinal waves, travelling and standing waves. Sound waves: speed, frequency and, energy, intensity, power and loudness, intensity level in dB, resonance, modes of vibration in half-open pipes, acoustic impedance, doppler effect, ultrasound
Waves 2: the electromagnetic spectrum, light and optics: modelling of light, reflection and refraction, lenses, LASER: lasing action, fundamentals and classifications. Other waves are also introduced including, microwaves, infrared, ultraviolet radiation.
Fluid mechanics:
This section explains deformation and motion of fluids: liquids and gases, when subjected to shear forces or as the result of pressure. It also explains the behavior of fluids while crossing barriers or areas of different dimensions example cross-sectional areas or heights.
The suggested topics include: the three phases of matter, fluids: gases and liquids, ideal gas law, osmosis, diffusion mechanism of breathing, surface tension, liquids, hydrostatics: density, volume, pressure; hydro-dynamics: non-viscous flow: continuity and Bernoulli’s equations, viscous flow: Poiseuille’s law and viscosity, laminar and turbulent flow.
Electricity:
Electricity studies the motion of charged particles within a conductor or resistor.
The suggested topics include: nature of charges, simple circuits and Ohm’s law, electric force, field, electric potential, potential energy, potential difference, capacitors.
Radiation:
Radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in the form of electromagnetic waves which are associated with oscillations in electric and magnetic fields with specific frequency and wave length such that the product of them, which is the velocity of the wave has a constant value: c=2.9979×108 m/s. Radiation can be ionizing or nonionizing. The topics suggested for radiation include:
Nonionizing radiation
The structure of atomic nucleus, energy levels and excitation of atoms, the electromagnetic spectrum, cosmic nonionizing radiation, interaction of nonionizing radiation with matter, man-made radiation.
Ionizing radiation
natural and artificial radiation, atoms, ions, isotopes, isobars. X-rays and Gamma rays, scatter, penetration power, stable and unstable nuclei, forces within the nucleus, nuclear decay, the half-lives in decay, activity, dose and measurements.
Computation in medicine:
Computation in medicine applies mathematical concepts to produce algorithms that are applicable in medical imaging and analysis [9].
Topics suggested include: artificial intelligence, Monte Carlo based calculations, phantoms, simulation, treatment planning
Integration with other basic sciences
Integration with other topics is not an easy task at this level because the subjects are delivered by experts in one of the basic sciences only, for example physics, and little do they know about the other subjects. The most appropriate way is to have a committee from the three basic science disciplines who would re-arrange the syllabus such that similar topics are taught at the same time. For instance: energy and metabolism, waves and the senses etc. can be taught simultaneously so that the information given in physics and chemistry could be linked with the biology of the human body without repetition.
Humans have five vital organs: the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs. The human body has other systems where physics integrated with physiology can explain their functions and what can go wrong.
3.2 Preclinical physics and physiology
The integumentary system or skin
This is the largest organ in the human body that surrounds and protects the internal body from cosmic rays, bacteria and pathogens. It also plays a major role in thermal regulation of the body temperature and waste elimination through perspiration.
The digestive system
Consists of a series of connected organs. These organs function together to allow the body to break down and absorb food, and remove waste.
Thermal Physics topics explain the functions of these two systems.
The suggested topics include: metabolism: food and exercise, thermal regulation, hypo-and-hyperthermia, warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals, hibernation and estivation.
The Musculo-skeletal system
This consists of the skeletal system (of 206 bones) that provides protection of some organs as well as support and thus posture of the body, and the connective muscular system (that consists of about 650 muscles connected by tendons, ligaments and cartilage). It helps in: movement, blood flow and other bodily functions.
The physics topics that can explain the function of the musculoskeletal system is called Biomechanics. Topics included in the suggested course are:
Forces on joints and bones, the composition of bones and joints that allow them to withstand such forces), viscoelastic properties of muscles and tendons, posture and gait analysis, diseases affecting our locomotor-system, a brief introduction to nerve conduction and muscle contractions. Car crashes and effects on the neck (whip-lash).
The circulatory system:
Blood motion, which carries nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and hormones, around the body is done in the circulatory system. It consists of the heart, arteries, veins and capillaries.
The respiratory system
This system allows gas exchange in the body, where oxygen is taken in during inhaling and carbon dioxide is expelled out during exhaling. It consists mainly of the nose or mouth, the trachea, the diaphragm and the lungs.
The urinary system
When certain foods are broken down, a toxic product known as urea is formed, which is in turn extracted by the urinary system. The urinary system includes the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, the sphincter muscles and the urethra.
The three mentioned systems utilize fluid motion. Biofluids can demonstrate the functions of these systems. The suggested topics include:
Mechanism of breathing, surface tension and surfactant, asthma and flu and effects on breathing the circulatory system, heart valves and blood flow, blood flow from peripheral vessels arteriosclerosis, turbulence and blood pressure measurement, the urinary tract, and hyper-filtration
The nervous system
The nervous system functions as a result of signals transported from the body via the nerves to the brain. These signals control both voluntary action and involuntary actions. The nervous system consists of a central nervous system, (which includes the brain and spinal cord), and the peripheral nervous system (which consists of nerves that connect every other part of the body to the central nervous system). The physics topics related to the nervous system include:
Electricity
Sodium-Potasium channels, action potential, the neuron, and nervous system, pain and muscle simulation, cardiac muscle cells, ECG, EMG, EEG, and ECT.
Waves: anatomy and physiology of the ear, phonation and audition, sound in medicine: stethoscope, lung and heart murmurs, sphygmomanometer, flu and vocal cord problems, problems of hearing, rapture of the ear drum
Waves 2: Anatomy and physiology of the eye, day-time and night-time vision, color-blindness, night-blindness, optical instruments: lenses and corrections of vision defects, magnifying lens, microscope, ophthalmoscope, intra-ocular pressure: tonometry and glaucoma. Vision correction: using lenses.
Physics can be used in diagnosis and therapy of these and other systems as is explained in the next section.
Following are some medical specializations that are taught to students in clinical years’ theory and rotations. The related physics topics that will be useful to students are presented with each specialization.
3.3 Physics and clinical rotations
Orthopedics:
Biomechanics and Biomaterials
Biocompatibility and biomaterials, prosthesis and orthosis
Ear nose and throat (ENT), gynecology and surgery:
Waves 1: hearing defects, cochlear implantations, medical applications of ultrasound: fetus heart and deformities, Doppler ultrasound, kidney stones and lithotripsy, ultrasound guided therapy, other applications of ultrasound in medicine.
Ophthalmology, dermatology and cosmetics:
Waves 2
LASER therapy of the eye, skin, LASER cosmetics
Urology, cardiology, medicine and surgery (any specialization dealing with fluids flow:
Biofluids
Heart valves, hemodialysis, bypass operations
Neurology:
Electricity
Nerve conduction, multiple sclerosis, diabetic neuropathy, electric shocks and home safety
General medicine, cosmetics, surgery, etc.
Non-ionizing radiation: nature, hazards, and protection from and medical applications of: ultraviolet radiation, visible light, LASER surgery infrared radiation and microwaves,
Radiology, nuclear medicine, radiotherapy and oncology
The clinical practice of radiology rests on a physics foundation. Medical Physics facilitates clinical interpretation and decision making [10]. This is of importance in radiation oncology, where dose calculations based on physics allows to efficiently utilize radiation while minimizing harmful effects on both medical personnel and patients. Doctors may make wrong decisions; for example, decide termination of pregnancy for a woman who underwent diagnostic or nuclear imaging. A fetus would be saved if the doctor knew how to evaluate the hazards to the fetus associated with the specific test, or who to refer to for advice.
The suggested topics in Ionizing Radiation include:
Radiobiology, medical imaging: nuclear medicine and x-rays, radiotherapy, radiation protections legislations and protocols.
Gaining access to medical physics departments in the hospital to learn dose calculations, risk assessment, treatment planning, etc. would provide medical students with adequate and useful knowledge.