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Unit outline_

BMET2901: Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides the underpinning knowledge needed in biomedical engineering designs. The anatomic and physiological functional knowledge gained in this subject will enhance prototype development of biomedical designs. Students should gain familiarity with anatomical and physiological terms and their meaning, understanding of the gross anatomy of the major systems in the human body and their importance in the design of biomedical devices and understanding of the major physiological principles which govern the operation of the human body.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
[6cp 1000-level Chemistry] or BMET1961
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MECH2901
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Hamish Fernando, hamish.fernando@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Hamish Fernando, hamish.fernando@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Final exam
Short answers + Essay
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation hurdle task group assignment Major assignment (spoken)
Group discussion of report with tutor (unweighted, but hurdle task)
0% Multiple weeks 15-30 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Pre-tutorial preparation quiz
8-10 MCQs based on the lecture of the topic(s)
10% Multiple weeks 6-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Small continuous assessment Laboratory worksheets
Completed worksheets for each lab
5% Multiple weeks _
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Participation Active participation
A variety of options will be given to show participation in activities
5% Ongoing _
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task Individual draft
Individual rough draft of research report (unweighted, but hurdle task)
0% Week 07 1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
In-semester test (On-campus supervised) Mid-semester checkpoint
RE students online. CC students to do BringYourOwnLaptop test in class.
20% Week 09
Due date: 04 Oct 2022 at 14:00

Closing date: 04 Oct 2022
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment group assignment Major Assignment (written)
Research report
30% Week 10
Due date: 21 Oct 2021 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Participation: You will be given a wide variety of ways in which to show active participation with the unit material.
  • Pre-tutorial preparation quiz: Immediately prior to the start of each tutorial, your foundational knowledge of that week’s tutorial topic will be tested via a short MCQ test.
  • Laboratory worksheets: Practical worksheets need to be completed during the practical and submitted.
  • Major assignment:
    • Individual draft: You will work individually to analyse and write a short draft report on how a biomedical engineering solution treats a traumatic injury or diseased state.
    • Major assignment (written): You will peer-review the drafts of your groupmates (who will have worked on the same topic) and combine your ideas to form one formal group research report on the chosen topic
    • Major assignment (spoken): Your group will then have an informal discussion with a lecturer/tutor about your findings
  • Mid-semester checkpoint: The test will consist of MCQs covering material from the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, from both lectures and practical classes. 
  • Final exam: The exam will cover all material in the unit from both lectures and practical classes. The exam will have mostly short answer questions, but also one or two essays.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

The Assessment Procedures 2011 provide that any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Musculoskeletal System I: Bone (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 02 Musculoskeletal System II: Joints (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Skeletal system Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Musculoskeletal System III: Muscle (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Muscular system Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Skeletal anatomy Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Nervous System I: Neurons, neurotransmitters and nerve impulse propagation (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Nervous System II: Central and peripheral nervous systems (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Nervous System Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Muscle anatomy Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Cardiovascular system I: Heart (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Respiratory System (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Cardio-respiratory system Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Cardio-respiratory anatomy Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Cardiovascular System II: Blood vessels (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Mid-semester quiz discussion Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Nervous System III: Eye and ear (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Cardiovascular physiology Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Renal System (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Renal System Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Endocrine System (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Respiratory physiology Practical (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Immune System (15-minute introduction lecture: asynchronous and 1-hour 45-minute development lecture: synchronous) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Revision Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures will be recorded but attendance is recommended.

Attendance at tutorials, labs and the podcast (major assignment) is required.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The purchase of Complete Anatomy (interactive 3D anatomy software), would be ideal. If you have any difficulty purchasing this item (due to cost, technical issues etc), please contact unit coordinator. 

Marieb, EC, Hoehn, K, Human Anatomy and Physiology (10th). Pearson Education, 2016.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Identify the gross anatomical features of the human body
  • LO2. Explain the normal function of the major body systems (nervous, circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal, digestive, renal, reproductive)
  • LO3. Describe how major body structures relate to their function
  • LO4. Develop strong written and oral communication skills suitable for both peers as well as a more general audience
  • LO5. Demonstrate how biomedical engineering can be used for the treatment of various traumatic injuries and diseased states
  • LO6. Work in groups to critically analyse an existing biomedical engineering technique that is used for the treatment of a traumatic injury or diseased state

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessment weightings have been readjusted based on difficulty from last year

Work, health and safety

Anatomy Laboratory entry requires closed shoes, lab coats and rubber gloves to be worn at all times. Students will need to purchase their own lab coats.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.