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Unit outline_

BMET5958: Nanotechnology in Biomedical Engineering

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Nanotechnology in Biomedical Engineering will have a broad nanotechnology focus and a particular focus on the biophysics and electrical aspects of nanotechnology, as it relates to nanobiosensors and nanobioelectronics which represents a rapidly growing field in Biomedical Engineering that combines nanotechnology, electronics and biology with promising applications in bionics and biosensors. Nanodimensionality and biomimetics holds the potential for significant improvements in the sensitivity and biocompatibility and thereby open up new routes in clinical diagnostics, personalized health monitoring and therapeutic biomedical devices.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME5958
Assumed knowledge
? 

(MECH3921 OR BMET3921 OR AMME5921 OR BMET5921)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Omid Kavehei, omid.kavehei@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Steph Yee, stephanie.yee@sydney.edu.au
Greg Watkins, greg.watkins@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task Final Exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Research solution - Presentation
Presentation of problems and reviewed solutions
10% Multiple weeks Week 11, 12
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quizzes
30% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
Assignment Research solution - Report
Report paper submission in IEEE two-column template, and format.
20% Week 12 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • In-class quizzes – during lecture or tutiral
  • Research solution – report and presentation
  • Final exam

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:

Information on late penalties can be found on Canvas,

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
Multiple weeks Various Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Introduction / Nanoscience basics Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Nanomaterials in bioelectronics Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Nanomaterials in bioelectronics Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Nanobiosensors Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Nanobiosensors Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Nanobiosensors Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 07 Nanoneuroelectrodes Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Nanoneuroelectrodes Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Nanoneuroelectrodes Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Nanotoxicity, Nanobiosafety and Market analysis Lecture (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Research solution presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Research solution presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

  • It is recommended that all lectures are attended and that the opportunity is taken for questions and answers in the lecture. Lectures will be made avaiable online. See the Faculty resolutions for more information:
  • In-class quizzes will only be available during prescribed lecture or tutorial times, as notified during lectures.

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 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. Organise and discuss professional ideas in written, graphic and oral formats through assessments 1 (tutorial assignments), 2 (quizzes), 3 (exam) and 4 (Presentation/Seminar). Present basic analytical reporting by extracting information and identifying point where information is incomplete or conflicting with other resources.
  • LO2. Search, evaluate and manage multi-disciplinary information from various resources including lectures and research papers found in online data bases.
  • LO3. Develop critical judgement at a general level in the context of the application of nanotechnology in the biomedical engineering field, by applying the knowledge discussed in the lectures into the different assessments.
  • LO4. Learn and develop interdisciplinary skills and knowledge from Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Nanotechnology and Medicine. Synthesise and apply this knowledge to find a solution to real and case studies taken from current investigations, through the different assessments including exam, tutorial assignments, seminar and quizzes.
  • LO5. Practice problem solving and integration of the knowledge learned in lectures through tutorial practice and through the exam, quizzes, presentation/seminar and tutorial assignments that all include problem-solving and inventiveness through case studies.
  • LO6. Implement the knowledge acquired in the lectures on engineering principles, methods and materials in the disciplines of nanotechnology, bio-materials and biomedical engineering, by critically reviewing the development process and outcomes of a specific nano-biomedical electronic device.

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.

The course content has been reviewed and updated based on feedback from prior classes.

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.