Physics, Pharmacy, and the Future Richard P. McCall, Ph.D . Professor of Physics

1. Physics, Pharmacy, and the Future Richard P. McCall, Ph.D. Professor of Physics Chair, Department of Basic Sciences St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis, Missouri ABSTRACT Teaching at a college of pharmacy, I learned early on that it was important to point out the relevance of physics to students. I spent time looking for applications specifically in a pharmacy setting, as well as applications to other courses in the curriculum, including anatomy and physiology. Now in my 18th year of teaching an IPLS course at STLCOP, the College is looking to expand our physics offerings as we begin two new B.S. degree programs this fall. We are also planning a new physics laboratory, with new experiments and equipment. As a new department chair, I am looking for two new physics faculty to develop these courses, labs, and experiments, as well as to develop more advanced elective courses appropriate for life sciences students.. PHYSICS IN THE PHARMACY PHYSICS AND PHYSIOLOGY • Reading glasses • Converging lens • Power • +1.00 D, +1.25 D, +1.50 D, +2.00 D, +2.50 D, …. • Hyperopia (farsightedness) or presbyopia • near point is farther from eye for comfortable reading • person needs to see close objects clearly • Example • near point at 40.0 cm, object at 20.0 cm • P = +2.50 D • Earplugs • Difference of two intensity levels related to ratio of two intensities • NRR - used to rate effectiveness of earplugs • Typical values range from 12 to 33 dB • Syringes and needles • Flow rate • Flow rate equation • Viscosity • Poiseuille’s law • Dependence on radius to the 4th power: r4 • Needle is rate-limiting step in IV fluid flow • Pressure difference along needle depends on • height (or depth) of fluid • pressure in vein • Tablets • Scoring surface makes breaking tablet easier • Torque, elastic limit • GlynasePresTab Tablet • For Type II diabetes • Special shape allows tablet to be split using one hand • Range of size: 45 to 55% in each piece • The Eye • Acts like a converging lens to produce a real image • Most refraction occurs at the cornea • Lens – small amount of refraction needed for proper focus – accommodation • To see distant objects • ciliary muscle is relaxed, largest diameter • ligaments pull outward on lens – flatter shape • To see close objects • ciliarymuscle is tense, smaller diameter • ligaments lose tension on lens – fatter shape • As a person ages • lens becomes denser and less flexible • does not relax to its fatter shape • difficulty seeing close objects (presbyopia) • The Middle Ear • Eardrum, ossicles, and Eustachian tube • Ossicles – malleus (hammer) is connected to the eardrum; incus (anvil); stapes (stirrup) connected to oval window • Create much larger force on oval window – needed for wave motion in fluid of inner ear • This increased force is a result of two factors. • surface areaof eardrum compared to stapes • lever system mechanical advantage THE FUTURE OF PHYSICS AT STLCOP Two new integrated BS/PharmD programs starting Fall 2014 New physics courses being developed New physics laboratory coming soon BS in Health Sciences Physics I and Physics I BS in Health Humanities Principles of Physics Need new faculty interested in developing IPLS courses