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Unit of study_

BMET3961: Biomaterials

This unit will build on knowledge in materials science and merge knowledge in the biomedical sciences, in particular with the aspects of the human anatomy and physiology. The students will appreciate that developing engineering solutions to solve problems associated with the human body will bring forward a unique set of constraints and conditions not found in alternate contexts. For example, the human body is composed of living constituents called 'cells' that produce matter called 'tissues' in a structured manner to form functioning systems called 'organs'. The function(s) of these cells is heavily dependent on the surrounding physical and chemical cues - the parameters (for which there are multiple) of these cues have to be 'right' or 'optimal' for the cells to function well to produce the correct type of tissue for the correct functioning of the organ. A biomedical engineering solution (e.g. an implantable or wearable device) to treat, monitor or diagnose a disease or medical condition must take these parameters into serious consideration.

Code BMET3961
Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
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[AMME2302 or AMME1362] AND [MECH2901 or BMET2901 or (MEDS2005 and (MEDS2001 or PHSI2007))]
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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MECH4961 or BMET4961 or AMME9961 or BMET9961

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

  • LO1. Appreciate and recognise the interdisciplinary nature of biomaterials science, whereby concepts from a wide range of areas including materials science, human biology, mechanics, chemistry and physics are brought together
  • LO2. Develop knowledge and understanding about the factors involved in the selection of a biomaterial for tissue replacement, including mechanical, biocompatibility, material property and fixation factors
  • LO3. Develop knowledge and understanding about the current state and recent developments in the field of biomaterials.
  • LO4. Identify, obtain, and analyse research data using appropriate strategies to gain in-depth knowledge and current advances in biomaterials.
  • LO5. Evaluate and assess the suitability of biomaterials and their engineering considerations, and the limitations in currently available biomaterials in the biomedical device sector
  • LO6. Devise and propose novel biomedical device solutions, taking mechanical, biological, chemical and physical properties of the materials into account, as well as the financial and technical feasibility, and surgical considerations into account when designing solutions.
  • LO7. Employ techniques for effective oral and written communication of the concepts and knowledge underlining the background science and engineering applications of biomaterials used in biomedical devices, in a professional manner

Unit outlines

Unit outlines will be available 2 weeks before the first day of teaching for the relevant session.