Outline

Overview

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.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BMET3961
Academic unit	Biomedical Engineering
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	MECH4961 or BMET4961 or AMME9961 or BMET9961
Prerequisites ?	[AMME2302 or AMME1362] AND [MECH2901 or BMET2901 or (MEDS2005 and (MEDS2001 or PHSI2007))]
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Young No, young.no@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Young No, young.no@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Biomaterials in Industry Report Investigative report on biomaterials used in selected biomedical devices	15%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2023 at 23:59	6-8 pages (4000 word limit)
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Q&A Group Viva - Biomaterials in Industry Q&A group viva, individually assessed	15%	Week 07	10-15 mins per group
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Mid-semester quiz Quiz covering the fundamental content in the first eight weeks of course	15%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 11:00	1 hour, done during Week 9 lectures
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	New Biomaterial for Industry Proposal Proposal for new biomaterial for chosen medical device	15%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59	3-4 pages (2000 word limit)
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Q&A Group Viva - New Biomaterial for Industry Q&A Group Viva, but individually assessed	15%	Week 11	10-15 mins per group
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Tutorial-based learning activities Series of mini-tasks to be completed during tutorials	10%	Weekly	2 hours per week during tutorials
Outcomes assessed:
Small continuous assessment	Lecture Quizzes Formative quizzes done during and/or after lectures	10%	Weekly	No time limit
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Lecture Participation Quick exercises done during lectures with a partner	5%	Weekly	5 mins
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Midsemester Quiz: A 1-hour closed book quiz done during the scheduled Week 9 lecture session, designed to assess the students’ ability to describe and discuss multiple fundamental aspects of biomaterials science and engineering taught in the first eight weeks.

Tutorial based learning activities: A series of scavenger-hunt style mini-assessments, including research-based and practical-based tasks, which encourage students to seek additional knowledge and content from external sources, and apply their knowledge and findings in the completion of these activities.

Lecture quizzes: ~1% weekly MCQ/short answer quizzes assessing student’s ability to recall key concepts and facts. These can be completed during and/or after the lecture – no specified time limit is applied, but must be completed before the tutorial sessions.

Lecture participation: Mini-activities done within the lecture session with a buddy partner for a small % of the course mark. Can be completed asynchronously.

Biomaterials in Industry Report and Viva: Students write up an investigative report on the biomaterials used in specific commercially available medical devices and implants, and assess the suitability of the biomaterials in these biomedical applications. This is an assessment for groups of four to five students. Students will then be subject to a group-based Q&A viva session where the understanding of the topic and the fact-checking and research capabilities will be further explored. Reports will be marked as a group. Viva performances will be marked individually.

New Biomaterial for Industry: Students form hypothetical medtech companies, and propose the use of recently developed biomaterials in literature to replace currently used biomaterials for a new product. Students need to consider not only biomaterials aspects, but also potential cost and manufacturing aspects. The groups will be identical to the previous “Biomaterials in Industry Report”. Groups write up a 3-4 page report on the rationale of biomaterial choice for their new product. Students will then be subject to a group-based Q&A viva session where the understanding of the topic and the fact-checking and research capabilities will be further explored. Reports will be marked as a group. Viva performances will be marked individually.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Submitted work is of exceptional standard, beyond expectations expected of senior undergraduate engineering students. These submissions often satisfy extensive and correct critical analysis (86-90) and provide novel and thought-provoking yet reasoned out discussion points resulting from further independent learning (91+).
Distinction	75 - 84	Submitted assessment tasks are of very good standard. Typically, these assessments are very good in the descriptive nature, with a decent attempt at the critical analysis and thinking in the submission, but gaps are present.
Credit	65 - 74	Submitted assessment tasks are of good standard. Typically, these assessments are good in the descriptive nature, but lack the proper critical analysis and thinking in the submission (65-69), or some attempt has been made but mostly basic in nature (70-74)
Pass	50 - 64	All requirements of assessment met with the minimum satisfactory standard.
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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to biomaterials	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Foreign materials in tissues and the body's response	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Metals and metal alloys in biomedical engineering	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Polymers and hydrogels as biomaterials	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Ceramics and glasses as biomaterials	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Coatings and composites as biomaterials and uses in biomedical devices	Lecture (4 hr)
Week 07	Biomaterials Analysis Part I - Mechanical and Physical Characterisation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Biomaterials Analysis Part II - Biological and Chemical Characterisation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Conductive biomaterials	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Plasma-coating techniques on biomaterials	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Hydrogels	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Bone Cements and Doped calcium silicate ceramics	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Revision	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of a unit of study. Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations and scheduled assessments. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

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

Prescribed readings will be allocated throughout the semester, mainly from published scholarly reviews in international biomaterials journals.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

A revamp of the assessment profile has been made. Final examinations have been removed, and vivas associated with the ex

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BMET3961: Biomaterials

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect