BMET3962: Semester 2, 2022

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Units BMET3962 Semester 2 2022 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

BMET3962: Introduction to Mechanobiology

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This course introduces you to Mechanobiology an emerging field of science that integrates biology and engineering and is now considered to have significant influence on the development of technologies for regenerative medicine. It is well known that tissues and cells are sensitive to their mechanical environment and changes to this environment can affect the physiological and pathophysiological processes. Understanding the mechanisms by which biological cells sense and respond to mechanical signals can lead to the development of novel treatments and therapies for a variety of diseases. The student will gain fundamental insights to the topics related to intracellular network, mechanotransduction, nanomechanical tools in mechanobiology, ECM mechanics and artificial matrix platforms and application of mechanobiology in various pathophysiological processes. The course has a strong practical component to have hands on experience in developing artificial matrix with various mechanical properties, stem cell culture, cell differentiation, staining and imaging.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Biomedical Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AMME5962 or BMET5962 or BMET9962
Assumed knowledge ?	6 credit points of 1000-level biology, 6 credit points of 1000-level chemistry and 6 credit points of 2000-level physiology or equivalent
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Yogambha Ramaswamy, yogambha.ramaswamy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Open book)	Final exam Final exam	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quiz 1 Short answer type (Canvas)	10%	Week 07	30 min
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Pre-Prac Assessment Skills-based assessment	15%	Week 09	20 min
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Presentation Presentation	20%	Week 10	15 min
Outcomes assessed:
Small test	Quiz 2 Small Test	10%	Week 12	30 min
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Laboratory Report Skill-based assessment	15%	Week 13	3 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
= Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Team seminar: Topics will be allocated in week 2.Presentation on the assigned topic held during the tutorials (wk 10 & 11).
Small test: Short answer type of questions will assess the topics covered in the lecture. The Quiz will be held during the tutorials.
Skill based evaluation: Quiz (Short answer type of questions) will be conducted in the lab before the practical classes. The pre-prac assessments are designed to prepare you for the laboratory activities.
The final lab report should be submitted that includes the details of laboratory activity, observations made, and data analysis.

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.

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	Overview of the course and introduction to the emerging field of mechanobiology	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 02	Introduction to cellular polymeric networks	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 03	Cell signaling and mechanotransduction	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 04	Extracellular matrix mechanics	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 05	Overview of analytical methods in mechanobiology: part 1	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 06	Overview of analytical methods in mechanobiology: part 2	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 07	Role of biomaterials in mechanobiology	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 08	Cancer Mechanobiology	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 09	Mechanosensitive ion channels: part 1	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 10	Mechanosensitive ion channels: part 2	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 11	Microfluidic devices in mechanobiology	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 12	Cell migration and the influence of mechanics	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)
Week 13	Mechanobiology: current status, major advances, and it's future. Exam preparation	Lecture and tutorial (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lab activities - Face-to-face lab activities are planned and each student will work independently. Note: In case of Covid restrictions/lockdown we will have to switch to a group activity. In the group activity, all efforts will be made to arrange for one member of the group to attend the lab physically and others will follow it online.

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. Demonstrate effective oral communications skills, understand research questions, and critically analyze and interpret data
LO2. Obtain information using appropriate search strategies to gain in-depth knowledge and current advances in mechanobiology through peer-reviewed research resources
LO3. Understand the basic principles of mechanobiology and its importance in the field of biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine.
LO4. Apply and integrate engineering principles to biological processes. Utilizing biomedical devices to understand the principles of mechanobiology.
LO5. Understand the use of engineering technologies and analytical tools in the field of mechanobiology, applications and design of biomaterial platforms in the field of mechanobiology
LO6. Demonstrate the procedure for working safely, correctly, and effectively in a molecular biology laboratory. Learn and demonstrate a range of practical techniques in molecular biology, stem cell culture and differentiation, develop biomaterial platforms to understand the principles of mechanobiology. Demonstrate a collaborative experimental work, effective data acquisition, analysis, imaging, data recording and experimental report writing.

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.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Health and safety requirements must be met during the practical sessions and students will be briefed during the tutorial sessions.

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

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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