SK2530 Introduction to Biomedicine 6.0 credits

Anatomy (4 hours): Main structures and features of the human body (systems, organs, tissues).

Cell biology (4 hours): The structural components of the cells. Basic principles of cellular functions: transport, metabolism, signaling, reproduction.

Physiology (14 hours): Basic principles of the human body functions, covering the nervous system, respiration, digestion, immune and endocrine system, acid-base homeostasis, water and salt balance.

The overall aim of the course is to give a general introduction to biomedicine to students with background in physics or mathematics, interested in the interdisciplinary field between physics/mathematics and biomedicine.

After the course the student should be able to:

• in their future professional practice, successfully communicate with colleagues that have a biological background
• describe the structure of the human body at the level of integrative systems, organs, tissues, and cells
• recognize the major processes and structural constituents in the basis for neuronal signaling, respiration, immune defence, energy generation, regulation of acid-base and water-salt balance
• identify the major processes and structures involved in the transport within the animal cells
• classify the major driving forces for transport of various substances between the cells and extracellular space
• understand the major processes that allow the organism to function as a whole (neuronal signaling, immune defense, hormone action)

For external students the following are required: 120 credits within natural sciences and engineering or corresponding knowledge and documented proficiency in English B or corresponding knowledge.

1. Despopoulos A., Silbernagl S., Color Atlas of Physiology, Thieme.

2. Alberts B.et al., Essential Cell Biology, Garland Science.

(The editions used will be announced on the course homepage at least four weeks prior to start of the course).

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The course is examined by written exam (TEN1; 6 university credits, grading A/B/C/D/E/Fx/F).

Marina Zelenina

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The course corresponds to the first part of the more extensive course SK2531, Biomedicine for engineers.