Outline

Overview

Biomechatronics is the application of mechatronic engineering to human biology, and as such it forms an important subset of the overall biomedical engineering discipline. This unit focusses on a number of areas of interest including auditory and optical prostheses, artificial hearts and active and passive prosthetic limbs and examines the biomechatronic systems (hardware and signal processing) that underpin their operation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	(MECH3921 or BMET3921) or MTRX3700 or MTRX3760 or (AMME5921 or BMET5921 or BMET9921)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AMME4790 or AMME5790
Assumed knowledge ?	Knowledge in mechanical and electronic engineering; adequate maths and applied maths skills; background knowledge of physics, chemistry and biology; Some programming capability: MATLAB, C, C++, software tools used by engineers including CAD and EDA packages
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Graham Brooker, graham.brooker@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final Exam Supervised exam	45%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Live Labs Analysis of data generated by lab experiments	25%	Multiple weeks	Weekly 3 hours + writeup time	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	MATLAB Tutorials MATLAB based signal processing development	20%	Multiple weeks	Variable length	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Weekly Quizzes Quizzes based on the results of in class lectorial and analysis	10%	Weekly	Variable-length	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Matlab Tutorial: Five hands-on group-based tutorials will be undertaken in which the students are expected to apply and investigate what they have learned by developing models and software. Tutors will grade the group submissions by students.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be held regularly at the end of sections to ensure that students have understood the work covered so far, and to consolidate their understanding. The lecturer will grade individual submissions by students.

Lab Activities: Weekly group-based activities will be held in which students will be required to analyse data from sensing, processing and actuation hardware that illustrates some biomechatronic concepts. Groups of students will conduct physiological measurements that will be logged, or used to control a robot arm. Students will submit a completed worksheet at the end of each lab (or at the latest, by the end of the week) which will be marked by the tutor

Final Exam: Open-book examination. Final assessment will include a number of short-answer questions to assess the student’s knowledge of the basic concepts and an analysis section to test their ability to apply these concepts to solve problems. The exam will be structured such that academic integrity is maintained. Note, this is a hurdle task so students will be required to pass the exam to pass the course. Students who fail the exam will receive FA 45 irrespective of their other marks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Mark Range	Description
Matlab Tutorial	0-100	grade proportional to correct answers
Weekly Quiz	0-100	grade proportional to correct answers
Lab Activities	0-100	grade proportional to correct answers

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

A minimum penalty of 5% per day will be applied. With the application of heavier penalties at the discretion of the lecturer

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Multiple weeks	Students are expected to commit to at least 5 hours per week of independent study in addition to timetabled activities	Independent study (60 hr)
Week 01	Biomechatronics course intro	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Introduction to labs	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to hearing & Hearing implants	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	MATLAB - Graphs, Filtering and the FFT	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Cochlear implants and processing	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Sound propagation laboratory	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Sensory Substitution	Lecture (2 hr)
	Cochlear implant processing	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Dynamic microphone analysis	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Brain Machine Interfaces (BMIs) and Visual Interfaces (VIs)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Cochlear implant processing	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: Analysis of microphone measurements	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Introduction to cardiology and pacing	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sensory substitution vision to sound	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: EEG evoked potential	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs)	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sensory substitution vision to sound	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: ECG stress test and analysis	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Total Artificial Hearts (TAHs)	Lecture (2 hr)
	ECG analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: Sphygmo measurement and analysis	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Introduction to Respiration	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	ECG analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
Week 10	Respiratory hardware, negative and positive ventilation	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sphygmomanometer data analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: Control of a PTU using serial	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Introduction to limb prosthetics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Sphygmomanometer data analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: EMG data acquisition and processing	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Control of active and passive prosthetics	Lecture (2 hr)
	Fleisch pneumotachograph data analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: EMG control of a robot arm	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Exoskeletons	Lecture (2 hr)
	Fleisch pneumotachograph data analysis	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	MATLAB: EMG control of a robot arm	Practical (3 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

Brooker, G., Introduction to Biomechatronics, Scitech Publishing, Rayleigh NC. 2012

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. develop a conceptual grasp of the intricate relationship between mind and body which will allow you to evaluate different forms of biofeedback that are used for diagnostics and rehabilitation
LO2. apply specialised engineering skills (mechanical and electrical) to analyse the performance of an active prosthetic device (e.g. prosthetic limb, hearing implant or artificial heart)
LO3. describe the operational principles of a number of implanted and attachable biomechatronic sensors used to monitor and/or stimulate physiological processes including those associated with hearing, seeing, thinking and movement amongst others
LO4. demonstrate an appreciation of the basics of the signal processing required to interpret bioelectrical signals and the ability to develop MATLAB code to perform this analysis.

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.

The structure of the course has been updated for 2025. The assignment has been removed as it was too AI dependent. The mark allocation has changed with the exam now worth 45% The final examination is the only part of the course that is not done as a team and is therefore the only way I have to assess individual students capabilities. It needs to remain a hurdle task.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students will need to complete on online tutorial relating to safety in the Biomed Lab. Competency will be assessed before access is granted

Details can be found in canvas

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BMET5790: Introduction to Biomechatronics

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links