Outline

Overview

The aims and objectives of the UoS are: 1. To introduce the student to the details and practice of orthopaedic engineering; 2. To give students an overview of the diverse knowledge necessary for the design and evaluation of implants used in orthopaedic surgery; 3. To enable students to learn the language and concepts necessary for interaction with orthopaedic surgeons and the orthopaedic implant industry; 4. To introduce the student to the details and practice of other engineering applications in surgery, particularly in the cardiovascular realm.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Biomedical Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MECH4902 OR MECH5907
Assumed knowledge ?	Understanding of engineering mechanics, materials science, and human biology and anatomy
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Collin Anderson, collin.anderson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Gregory Roger, gregory.roger@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Collin Anderson, collin.anderson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Tutorial quiz	Weekly quizzes 10 weekly quizzes, from which the highest 8 scores will count.	24%	Multiple weeks	15-20 mins
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation/seminar Group presentation, groups of 6 or less, and each runs for 15 mins.	40%	Week 08	10 min presentation, 5 min question
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Report Major individual report	20%	Week 11 Due date: 19 Oct 2023 at 23:59	Around five pages
Outcomes assessed:
Tutorial quiz	Final Quiz Final quiz	16%	Week 13	~1 hour
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Presentation/seminar: A class presentation on the following topic: A method of determining articular cartilage compliance – non-invasive
Report: An in-depth literature review/essay on the following topic: What is currently the best and the worst potential application of AI/ML in Orthopaedics? Give at least one example of each and a rationale for its selection.
Quizzes: 11 quizzes during the semester (Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13).

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Distinction	75 - 84	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Credit	65 - 74	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Pass	50 - 64	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars established by the faculty.
Fail	0 - 49	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty. This grade, with corresponding mark, should also be used in cases where a student fails to achieve a mandated standard in a compulsory assessment, thereby failing to demonstrate the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard. In such cases the student will receive the mark awarded by the faculty up to a maximum of 49.

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.

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	Course overview, anatomy review, bone and joints	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 02	Principles of artificial joint replacement, specifics of knee and hip implants	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 03	Implant design, manufacturing and instrumentation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 04	Vascular Product Development and Design Considerations. Corporate impacts.	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 05	Design control and regulatory aspects of orthopaedic innovation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 06	Case Studies of Design in Orthopaedics and the impact on whole of team imperatives. 3	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 07	Spinal Implant Considerations	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 08	Class presentations	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 09	Review of Class Presentations and commentary on the route to successful commercialisation	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 10	Intellectual Property and its commercial use	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 11	Review of course, discussion of class presentations and assignments	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 12	Reflections from a US-based international perspective	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Final Quiz, discussions of future careers	Lecture (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures will total 3 hours/week. An integral part of this unit of study is lectures given by guest lecturers. Attendance at lectures is mandatory and failure to attend will result in loss of marks from not being able to complete the lecture-based quiz assessments.

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.

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. Have an understanding of the role played by engineering technology in surgery.
LO2. Do in depth literature review to underpin a design project.
LO3. Learn the language of orthopaedics and be able to present findings to a peer group at an advanced level.
LO4. Be acquainted with the physical properties of human bones and joints.
LO5. Understand how the skeleton functions as an engineering structure.
LO6. Learn the physical characteristics of the materials from which the musculoskeletal system is fabricated and be able to adapt basic engineering principles to the design and fabrication of prosthetic joints or to other devices used for replacement and repair of bones and joints.
LO7. Understanding of intellectual property and commercial exploitation.
LO8. Understand design control and regulatory requirements for orthopaedic implants.
LO9. Understand how to interact in the clinical environment as an engineer.

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 unit of study has been reviewed and revised based on previous feedback.

Additional information

Recording of Lectures and Missed Lectures
Content in this course will be delivered by an external lecturer and lectures will not be recorded. However, if you miss a lecture for a legitimate reason, such as illness, timetable clash, or other misadventure, Dr Roger will make arrangements to deliver the relevant material asynchronously.

Reference Books
Biological Materials: Structure, Mechanical Properties – 611.0182 11
Biomaterials: an Introduction – 610.28 183
Biomechanics, materials: a practical approach – 591.1852 59
Biomechanics: mechanical properties of living tissues – 599.01852 16A
Biomechanics of diarthrodial joints – 612.76 88
Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics – 616.7 39
Biomaterials Science and Biocompatibility – 610.28.243
Bioceramics and the Human Body – 610.28 173

Reference Journals
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (British and American volumes)
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
Journal of Orthopaedic Research
Journal of Arthroplasty

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BMET5907: Orthopaedic and Surgical Engineering

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

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links