Learning outcomes

Trying to understand the universe surrounding us, being able to explain everyday phenomena... Based on observations, experiments and reflection, physics seeks a simple but as complete as possible explanation to lead to the formulation of laws or principles.

At the end of this course, the students will be able to :

  • Organise their thoughts and express themselves clearly in writing and orally, using a precise and appropriate vocabulary;
  • Handle orders of magnitude and units appropriately;
  • Explain and interpret natural/daily phenomena on the basis of theoretical concepts covered in the course;
  • Develop a critical scientific mind and establish scientific reasoning in the face of a given problem.

Goals

The aim of this course is to provide a good level of basic knowledge of electricity, in relation to the life sciences and everyday phenomena. Particular attention will be paid to understanding applications to the biological, geographical, geological and veterinary sciences, based on the physical phenomena detailed in the theory course.

Content

This teaching unit is an introduction to the main chapters of electricity: electrostatics, electrokinetics and electromagnetism.
Wherever possible, new concepts are introduced using pre-recorded videos and/or simple experiments or demonstrations performed live in front of and with the students. The ensuing presentation of the fundamental laws focuses on the physicist's usual approach: description, analysis and generalisation of the phenomenon.
Practical work sessions and tutorials are also associated with this teaching unit.

Teaching methods

The theoretical part of this teaching unit will be given both in the form of pre-recorded videos (flipped classroom) and in the form of an interactive lecture in an auditorium. The recorded videos can be viewed by the students before the classroom session.
Outside the classroom sessions, students are invited to ask any questions they may have via the forum set up on the Teams platform.
The exercises will be supervised by a teacher in a tutorial session, meaning that the students will actively solve the problems themselves with the help of the teacher.
During the course, many experiments are carried out live. The aim of these experiments is to observe a new phenomenon and help students to understand it, or to illustrate applications. Multimedia aids (Powerpoint, animations, etc.) are also used to explain applications (nerve fibre, MRI, cyclotron, etc.).

Assessment method

This teaching unit comprises three distinct but complementary parts:

  • An examination covering the theory is organised in a session corresponding to 65% of the total score. The examination is closed book. The subject covered by the assessment includes everything covered in the course.
  • TD: written examination organised in June and August sessions. The TD score accounts for 20% of the overall score.
  • Practical work (TP): continuous assessment throughout the year (the results obtained are definitive, there is no practical work examination in exam session) corresponding to 15% of the overall score. Please note that practical sessions are compulsory. In the event of illness or exceptional absence, which must be justified to the faculty secretariat, the student must contact the assistant as soon as he/she returns to the University in order to organise a recovery session.

Sources, references and any support material

The reference work is the syllabus sold at the UNamur Reprography Service and available to students registered for this course, online and free of charge, on WebCampus. This syllabus is not compulsory.

Curious students should also consult :

  • Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism, Harris Benson, De Boeck, ISBN 9782804193805
  • Physics, Eugène Hecht, De Boeck, ISBN 978-2744500183
  • Physics, Joseph Kane and Morton Sternheim, Dunod, ISBN 2100071696
  • Physics 3 - Energy Electricity, Paul Avanzi et al, lep, ISBN 9782606012724

Language of instruction

French
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelor in Geology Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Geography : General Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Biology Standard 0 3
Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine Standard 1 3
Bachelor in Geography : General Standard 1 3
Bachelor in Biology Standard 1 3
Bachelor in Geology Standard 1 3