Department of Biophysics · Subjects · Physical and Biophysical Foundation of Biotechnology I

Data

Official data in SubjectManager for the following academic year: 2025-2026

Course director

Grama László

associate professor,
Department of Biophysics
laszlo.grama@aok.pte.hu

Number of hours/semester

lectures: 14 hours

practices: 28 hours

seminars: 14 hours

total of: 56 hours

Subject data

Code of subject: OTN-BFB1-T
5 kredit
Biotechnology BSc
Basic modul
autumn

Prerequisites:

Course headcount limitations

min. 5 – max. 200

Topic

The aim of the course is to familiarize students with the principles and laws of physics and biophysics that underlie the structure and function of biological systems as well as the principles behind methods and equipment used in biotechnological procedures. In addition to the transfer of basic knowledge, the aim of the training is to broaden the general knowledge of natural sciences and to present some special applications. The aim of the practices is to familiarize students with the use of measuring instruments and experimental tools, as well as the evaluation and analysis of measurement data.

Lectures

1. Quantities and units - Grama László
2. Kinematics - Grama László
3. Force, Newton’s laws, momentum - Szücs Mihály
4. Energy, work - Grama László
5. Statics, torque - Trombitás Norbert
6. Rotation, angular momentum - Szücs Mihály
7. Oscillations and waves - Szücs Mihály
8. Fluid statics - Szücs Mihály
9. Fluid dynamics - Grama László
10. Gas laws, the kinetic theory of gases - Trombitás Norbert
11. Thermodynamic energy, work, heat and the 1st law of thermodynamics - Trombitás Norbert
12. Entropy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics - Trombitás Norbert
13. Coulomb’s law, electric field, electric potential, capacitors - Grama László
14. Electric current and resistance, circuits - Grama László

Practices

1. Introduction
2. Introduction
3. Mathematical basics
4. Mathematical basics
5. Free fall
6. Free fall
7. Pendulum
8. Pendulum
9. Sound waves
10. Sound waves
11. Surface tension
12. Surface tension
13. Viscosity of fluids
14. Viscosity of fluids
15. Temperature measurement and calorimetry
16. Temperature measurement and calorimetry
17. Electrical conductance
18. Electrical conductance
19. Electric field equipotential lines
20. Electric field equipotential lines
21. Direct current measurements
22. Direct current measurements
23. Alternating current measurements
24. Alternating current measurements
25. Make-up lab, seminar, consultation
26. Make-up lab, seminar, consultation
27. Make-up lab, consultation
28. Make-up lab, consultation

Seminars

1. Quantities and units - Grama László
2. Kinematics - Grama László
3. Force, Newton’s laws, momentum - Szücs Mihály
4. Energy, work - Grama László
5. Statics, torque - Trombitás Norbert
6. Rotation, angular momentum - Szücs Mihály
7. Oscillations and waves - Szücs Mihály
8. Fluid statics - Szücs Mihály
9. Fluid dynamics - Grama László
10. Gas laws, the kinetic theory of gases - Trombitás Norbert
11. Thermodynamic energy, work, heat and the 1st law of thermodynamics - Trombitás Norbert
12. Entropy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics - Trombitás Norbert
13. Coulomb’s law, electric field, electric potential, capacitors - Grama László
14. Electric current and resistance, circuits - Grama László

Reading material

Obligatory literature

College Physics 2e, OpenStax, ISBN-13: 978-1-951693-60-2

Literature developed by the Department

Available on Teams, Moodle or PotePedia platforms.

Notes

Biophysics Practicals, Pécs University Press, Pécs

Recommended literature

Halliday, Resnick, Walker: Fundamentals of Physics, Wiley, ISBN-13: 978-0471216438 ISBN-10: 0471216437

Conditions for acceptance of the semester

Completion and proper documentation of all laboratory practicals and approval of lab reports by the lab instructor. No more than 2 absences from practices.

Mid-term exams

Midterm test from the theory material that can provide exemption from the exam.

Making up for missed classes

Missed practices can be made up during make-up opportunities provided by the department. During each make-up lab, only one missed practice can be made up with the student's own group.

Exam topics/questions