Skip to main content
Unit outline_

BMET5931: Nanomaterials in Medicine

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The application of science and technology at the nanoscale for biomedical problems promises to revolutionise medicine. Recent years have witnessed unprecedented advances in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases by applying nanotechnology to medicine. This course focuses on explaining the fundamentals of nanomedicine, and highlighting the special properties and application of nanomaterials in medicine. This course also reviews the most significant biomedical applications of nanomaterials including the recent breakthroughs in drug delivery, medical imaging, gene therapy, biosensors and cancer treatment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME5931
Assumed knowledge
? 

[[(BIOL1xxx OR MBLG1xxx) AND CHEM1xxx AND PHYS1xxx] OR [(AMME1961 OR BMET1961)] AND (MECH2901 OR BMET2901)]] AND (NANO2xxx OR AMME1362)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gurvinder Singh, gurvinder.singh@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Gurvinder Singh, gurvinder.singh@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Kingsley Poon, kingsley.poon@sydney.edu.au
Lois Lam, yiktunglois.lam@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final examination
Examination on the content covered during the semester
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO9
Tutorial quiz Mid Semester Quiz
Live mid-semester quiz based on the lecture content from wk1 to wk5.
7.5% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 10:10

Closing date: 25 Mar 2024
45 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Tutorial quiz Final Semester Quiz
In Class final semester quiz based on the lecture content from wk 6 to wk11
7.5% Week 12
Due date: 13 May 2024 at 10:10

Closing date: 13 May 2024
45 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab Report
Lab activities from week 4 to week 8
20% Week 12
Due date: 19 May 2024 at 23:59
Report Submission: Week 12
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Small continuous assessment Assignment
Individual in-class assessment based each week assignment.
15% Weekly Week 2-12 Due date: each week Friday
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Assessment Summary: 

Two quizzes (15%): Mid semester (wk6)/end of semester (wk12)
Tutorial activities participation: Class assignment (15%)
Lab report submission based on lab work (20%) 
Final examination based on lecture content (50%)

 

 

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

When you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

When you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

When you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

When you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

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:

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.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to nanomaterials in medicine Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO7
Week 02 Synthesis of nanoparticles Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 03 Nanocharacterization tools Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9
Week 04 Cell-Nanomaterials interaction and toxicity Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9
Lab1: Synthesis of nanomaterials Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7 LO10
Week 05 Lipid nanoparticles for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO9 LO10
Lab2: Functionalization and characterization of nanomaterials Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 06 Gold nanoparticles for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10
Week 07 Lab 3: Cell Culture Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 08 Magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Lab 4: Cell Culture Practical (2 hr) LO2 LO4 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 09 Quantum dots: A promising tool for bioimaging and biodiagnostic applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 10 Nanoscale carbon nanomaterials for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO9 LO10
Week 11 Intelligent micro-and nanorobots for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO9 LO10
Week 12 Nanoporous materials for biomedical applications Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO10
Week 13 Revision of BMET5931 for Final Exam Preparation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO7

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. discuss the current state and recent developments in the field of nanomaterials in medicine
  • LO2. apply and integrate engineering principles to nanomedicine
  • LO3. evaluate and assess the current challenges in nanomedicine
  • LO4. create novel nanomaterial-based solutions to address current unmet clinical needs or to address limitations of current solutions
  • LO5. formulate new designs for nanoscale materials to address unmet needs in the biomedical sector
  • LO6. devise solutions taking financial and technical feasibility, as well as surgical considerations into account when designing solutions
  • LO7. appreciate and recognize the interdisciplinary nature of the field of nanomedicine, whereby concepts from a wide range of areas including materials science, human biology, chemistry and physics are brought together
  • LO8. employ techniques for effective oral and written communication of the concepts and knowledge underlining the background science and engineering applications of nanomaterials in medicine
  • LO9. identify, obtain, and analyse information using appropriate search strategies to gain in-depth knowledge and current advances in nanomaterials used in medicine
  • LO10. employ professional techniques and activities such as assigning tasks, managing time, meeting deadlines, and communicating with your colleagues in a professional manner.

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.

This unit is continuously modified based on appropriate student feedback. In this year, we have introduced labs and changed the assessment structure.

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.