Module overview
This module will introduce students to the disciplines of biomedical engineering (BME). This module is organized into 4 blocks.
The first block provides an overview of the key challenges in health and wellness.
Students will also study 3 further blocks that will provide a foundation in the key disciplines of chemistry, physics and biology as required for biomedical engineering.
All blocks are compulsory.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Identify steps in a physical science process and what happens when it goes wrong
- Understand key concepts important to the physical science and required for better understanding of BME usage.
- Draw annotated diagrams to demonstrate key concepts in the physical science
- From Block 2 - Students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: • The principles of electricity, electrostatics and magnetism • Waves, resonance and ionizing radiation •Solid Mechanics From Block 3 - Students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: •The structure of nucleic acids and how DNA is replicated and transcribed •The structure of membranes. •The immune system and its key components. From Block 4 , Students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: •The principles of chemical bonds, reaction rates and equilibria. •The concept of chemical equilibrium.
- Analyze the ethical considerations of using technology on humans in support of health and wellness
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Collect data and write up experimental results in scientific format.
- Interpret data from an experiment, including the construction of appropriate graphs
- Evaluate errors in data and experiments
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Setup apparatus correctly to conduct experiments
- Demonstrate proficiency in standard laboratory techniques
- Safely perform biochemical laboratory techniques
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Extract model parameters from experimental data sets
- Apply common mathematical expressions encountered in science and engineering
- Evaluate the experimental risks and understand how to mitigate against those risks
- Apply core physical science equations to calculations
Syllabus
Block 1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
- What is biomedical engineering and what are we trying to achieve
- Ethical considerations of engineering solutions in health care.
- The importance of end-user interaction in developing solutions for patients
- Measurements and their errors
- A systems level approach to sensing the world.
Block 2: Introductory Physics
- Waves & optics
- Electricity and magnetism
- Thermal physics
- Ionising radiation
- Mechanics
Block 3: Introductory Biology
- Amino acids, proteins and DNA
- Enzymes
- Sugars and Carbohydrates
- Cells and pathogens
- The immune system
Block 4: Introductory Physical Chemistry
- Systems, materials, and bonds
- Thermodynamics and energies
- Chemical Potential and Equilibrium
- Reactions, Enthalpy and Entropy
- Example systems: redox reactions and electrochemical potentials
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and learning is through lectures, seminars and specialist laboratories.
40 hours of lectures, 8 hours of seminars and 12 hours of laboratories
Type | Hours |
---|---|
Specialist Laboratory | 12 |
Independent Study | 90 |
Seminar | 8 |
Lecture | 40 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
(Matthews). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Enderle & Bronzino). Block1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
(Berg, Tymocsko and Stryer). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Nelson and Cox). Block3: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry.
(Atkins and De Paula). Block4: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.
(Hammond). Block2: Electromagnetism for Engineers - An Introductory Course.
(Voet and Voet). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Halliday). Block2: Principles of Physics.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Lab work | 20% |
Examination | 70% |
Coursework | 10% |