Teaching

Physical Mechanics — Academic year 2026–2027

The Physical Mechanics course aims to provide students with a foundational understanding of physics related to mechanics, statics, dynamics, and elasticity, which are essential for their application in various fields of engineering and architecture. Through theoretical lectures and problem-solving exercises, students will grasp key concepts such as vector calculus, kinematics, dynamics, and material properties.

Teaching Method

• General theoretical lectures by the group’s professor.
• Practical exercises solved in class.
• Independent study in the library or at home to reinforce class content.

Regulations

• Official information will be communicated in class, through the course's Moodle page, or via institutional email.
• Institutional email must be used for all communications.
• Group changes and recording of classes without explicit permission from the professor are not allowed.
• Attendance and punctuality are mandatory.

Evaluation

Assessment combines two written midterm examinations (E1, E2), assessed participatory activities (C1, C2) and optional laboratory work (L). All tests are in person.

E1, E2, C1 and C2 are graded out of 10. Voluntary laboratory work may contribute up to 1 additional point. To pass through progressive assessment, both P1 and P2 must be at least 4, and the final grade must be at least 5.

Midterms: 20 October 2026 and 14 December 2026 (during class).

Students who do not pass progressive assessment may take the January examination: a complementary examination for one part of the course (where eligible), or the full examination. For a complementary examination, the relevant part is recalculated using P = 0.1 C + 0.9 E and must reach at least 4. The complete January examination is assessed as the written test plus laboratory credit, capped at 10, with a pass mark of 5. Students who passed through progressive assessment may request to improve their grade through the complete January examination, without losing their previous grade, subject to the official rules.

For the extraordinary July examination, the grade comes exclusively from a single written test, with a pass mark of 5/10. Consult the official document for all special cases and conditions.

Download the official 2026–2027 regulations and syllabus (PDF).

Editorial note: the evaluation section of the supplied PDF still mentions 2025 dates, whereas its 2026–2027 syllabus lists 20 October and 14 December 2026. These 2026 dates are shown here pending confirmation.

Course Program

First Part

• Introduction. Fundamentals of Physics
• Vector Calculus
• Fields
• Kinematics
• Mass Geometry
• Dynamics

Second Part

• Statics
• Fundamentals of Elasticity
• Generalized Hooke's Law
• Tension and Bending

Bibliographic References

• M. Vázquez and E. López, "Mechanics for Engineers", Ed. Noela, Madrid, 1995.
• P.A. Tipler and G. Mosca, "Physics for Science and Technology", 5th Ed., Ed. Reverté.
• R.A. Serway and J.W. Jewett, "Physics", 3rd Ed., Ed. Thomson, 2003.
• D.C. Giancoli, "Physics for Scientists and Engineers", 4th Ed., Ed. Pearson, Prentice Hall, 2008.
• F.P. Beer and E.R. Johnston, "Vector Mechanics for Engineers", 6th Ed., McGraw Hill, 2000.
• M. Vázquez, "Strength of Materials", Ed. Noela, Madrid, 1999.

Building Physics - Course 2026-2027

The Building Physics course, part of the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture Fundamentals, aims to provide students with foundational knowledge in Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Electromagnetism, Waves, and Acoustics, and to establish the basics for hydraulic installations through the study of real fluids and water movement in permeable media. This course is basic and is taught in Spanish during the third semester of the second year.

Two manuscripts on Building Physics are currently in preparation and are planned for publication at a later date.

Teaching Method

• Theoretical lectures explaining the physical fundamentals of the topics.
• Problem-solving and practical exercises related to heat transfer, fluids, and acoustics in architecture.
• Independent study and consultation through the UPM Moodle platform (available for enrolled students).

Regulations

• Regular attendance and active participation in class are mandatory.
• Institutional email must be used for electronic communications with professors.
• Recording is not allowed without the professor's consent.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on partial tests and a final exam covering the course's content. Details about evaluation and exam dates will be available on the UPM Moodle platform.

Course Program

Fluid Mechanics

• Introduction
• Fluid Statics
• Dynamics of Perfect Fluids
• Dynamics of Real Fluids. Flow in Pipes
• Hydraulics of Permeable Media

Waves and Acoustics

• Wave Motion
• Physical Acoustics and Psychoacoustics
• Room Acoustics

Thermodynamics

• Introduction. Temperature and Expansion
• Heat and Work. The First Law of Thermodynamics
• Ideal Gases
• The Second Law of Thermodynamics. Entropy
• Phase Transitions. Thermodynamic Processes in Atmospheric Air. Real Machines

Heat Transfer and Diffusion

• Heat Transfer by Conduction and Convection
• Diffusion. Vapor Diffusion and Associated Condensations
• Heat Transfer by Radiation

Electromagnetism

• Magnetic Induction
• Oscillators and Alternating Current Circuits

Additional Information

For more details about the course content and schedule, you can access the course page on the UPM Moodle platform, available for enrolled students.

Bibliographic References

• J. M. Gere and S. P. Timoshenko, "Mechanics of Materials", 5th Ed., Ed. Thomson, 2002.
• F. P. Beer, E. R. Johnston, and J. T. DeWolf, "Fluid Mechanics", 9th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2017.
• P. A. Tipler and G. Mosca, "Physics for Science and Technology", 6th Ed., Ed. Reverté, 2009.
• D. C. Giancoli, "Physics: Principles with Applications", 7th Ed., Ed. Pearson, 2014.
• K. W. Morton and D. F. Mayers, "Numerical Solution of Partial Differential Equations", Cambridge University Press, 2005.
• F. Incropera and D. DeWitt, "Fundamentals of Heat Transfer", 6th Ed., Ed. Limusa Wiley, 2011.
• M. L. Munson, D. F. Young, and T. H. Okiishi, "Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics", 7th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2012.
• Manuel R. Ortega Girón, "Lessons in Physics: Thermology 1", Ed. CEC, 1995.
• Manuel R. Ortega Girón, "Lessons in Physics: Thermology 2", Ed. CEC, 2000.
• E. M. Moreno Pérez and P. González Rodelas, "Applied Electromagnetism in the 21st Century", Ed. Bubok, 2023. ISBN:```html

Final Degree Project (TFG) - Course 2026-2027

The Final Degree Project (TFG) consists of the development, presentation, and defense of an original academic work related to the subjects studied in the Bachelor's Degree in Architecture Fundamentals. The TFG must demonstrate the student's competencies and will be evaluated through public or private sessions before a university panel.

Teaching Method

• Individual and collective tutoring for the project development.
• General and specific training sessions.
• Guest lectures and presentations of previous TFGs.

Regulations

• Enrollment in the TFG requires passing all courses from the first four years.
• The TFG will be supervised by a tutor and evaluated by a panel.
• The work format may include text, graphics, or audiovisual material, with a 15-minute maximum defense.

Evaluation

The evaluation includes a pre-grade of "Pass" awarded by the tutor, followed by a defense before the panel. The regular convocations are in January and June, with an extraordinary session in July.

Additional Information

The project must be presented in an appropriate format and within the deadline set by ETSAM regulations. Full details on submission and evaluation dates are available in the TFG regulatory document.

Relevant Links

• Complete TFG Regulations (only for enrolled students).
• Academic Information for the 2024/2025 Academic Year.