This course introduces students to the concepts of biomechanics and biomaterials to provide a foundation for further study in biomedical engineering. Students will gain advanced knowledge and analysis skills on the mechanical and anatomical principles that govern human motion and develop the ability to link the structure of the human body with its function from a mechanical perspective. Students will also acquire basic understanding of natural and synthetic materials used in biomedical engineering, biological-biomaterials interactions, biocompatibility of materials, and materials evaluations for a variety of biomedical applications.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe and discuss fundamental concepts of human biomechanical systems and the interaction between the human body and biomaterials, by applying the knowledge of Biological Sciences.
- Translate representative biological problems into tractable biomechanical questions and produce quantitative solutions using relevant engineering methods in solid and fluid mechanics.
- Plan and execute simplified computational simulations of biomechanical problems of interest using an industry-grade finite-element analysis software package and meaningfully interpret the results.
- Apply critical judgement to the selection of different classes of biomaterials in biomedical applications.
- Apply knowledge about biomaterials and human biomechanics to critically analyse the fitness for purpose and predict the performance of biomedical devices in selected clinical applications.
- Apply standards, regulations and ethical responsibilities in the process of developing biomaterials and medical devices, and design strategies to deal with possible hurdles in bringing a product to market.
- Plan, execute, and report with technical accuracy on a project working in a group.
Other Information
Professional Skills Mapping:
Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment and Professional Competencies
Indicative Assessment
- Computer lab reports (8) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Biomechanics project (15) [LO 1,2,3,5,7]
- Biomaterials lab reports (8) [LO 1,4,5]
- Biomaterials regulation paper (6) [LO 1,6]
- Biomaterials research paper (8) [LO 1,4,5,6]
- Final exam (55) [LO 1,2,4,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Lecture and Practice Hours: 3 hours per week for the whole semester
Computer lab sessions: 3x 3 hours during the course
Biomaterials lab sessions 2 x 1h sessions during the course
Tutorials: 6 x 2h sessions during the course
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
J.B. Park, R.S. Lakes, Biomaterials: An Introduction, 3rd Edition, Springer, 2007
C.R. Ethier, C.A. Simmons, Introductory Biomechanics: From Cells to Organisms, Cambridge University Press, 2007 (recommended text format: e-book)
Preliminary Reading
Biomechanics:
- Basic biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system / [edited by] Margareta Nordin, Victor H. Frankel ; Dawn Leger, developmental editor. - 4th ed. Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health, 2012
- Other materials will be made available as downloads on the course Wattle page as required.
Biomaterials:
- Ogrodnik, Peter J. Medical device design: innovation from concept to market. Academic Press, 2019
- Ott, Katherine, David Serlin, and Stephen Mihm, eds. Artificial parts, practical lives: modern histories of prosthetics. NYU Press, 2002.
- Foltz, Michelle. A Leg to Stand on. iUniverse, 2009.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4860 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $6180 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.