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Unit outline_

BMET9961: Biomaterials

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit will build on knowledge in materials science and merge knowledge in the biomedical sciences, in particular with the aspects of the human anatomy and physiology. The students will appreciate that developing engineering solutions to solve problems associated with the human body will bring forward a unique set of constraints and conditions not found in alternate contexts. For example, the human body is composed of living constituents called 'cells' that produce matter called 'tissues' in a structured manner to form functioning systems called 'organs'. The function(s) of these cells is heavily dependent on the surrounding physical and chemical cues - the parameters (for which there are multiple) of these cues have to be 'right' or 'optimal' for the cells to function well to produce the correct type of tissue for the correct functioning of the organ. A biomedical engineering solution (e.g. an implantable or wearable device) to treat, monitor or diagnose a disease or medical condition must take these parameters into serious consideration.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME5961 or AMME9961 or MECH4961 or BMET4961 or BMET3961
Assumed knowledge
? 

Chemistry, biology, materials engineering, and engineering design at least at the 1000-level. AMME9901 or BMET9901 or 6 credit points of 1000-level biology, 6 credit points of 1000-level chemistry, 6 credit points of 1000-level materials science, 6 credit points of engineering design

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Young No, young.no@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Young No, young.no@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Lecture Participation
Quick exercises done during lectures with a partner
5% Multiple weeks ~5 mins per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Biomaterials in Industry Report
Investigative report on biomaterials used in selected biomedical devices
15% Week 06
Due date: 08 Sep 2023 at 23:59
6-8 pages (4000 word limit)
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Presentation Q&A Group Viva - Biomaterials in Industry
Q&A group viva, individually assessed
15% Week 07 10-15 mins per group
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Small test Mid-semester quiz
Quiz covering the fundamental content in the first eight weeks of course
15% Week 09
Due date: 06 Oct 2023 at 11:00
1 hour, done during Week 9 lectures
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment New Biomaterial for Industry Proposal
Proposal for new biomaterial for chosen medical device
15% Week 10
Due date: 13 Oct 2023 at 23:59
3-4 pages (2000 word limit)
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Presentation Q&A Group Viva - New Biomaterial for Industry
Q&A Group Viva, but individually assessed
15% Week 11 10-15 mins per group
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Small continuous assessment Tutorial-based learning activities
Series of mini-tasks to be completed during tutorials
10% Weekly 2 hours per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Lecture Quizzes
Formative quizzes done during and/or after lectures
10% Weekly No time limit
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Midsemester Quiz: A 1-hour closed book quiz done during the scheduled Week 9 lecture session, designed to assess the students’ ability to describe and discuss multiple fundamental aspects of biomaterials science and engineering taught in the first eight weeks.

Tutorial based learning activities: A series of scavenger-hunt style mini-assessments, including research-based and practical-based tasks, which encourage students to seek additional knowledge and content from external sources, and apply their knowledge and findings in the completion of these activities.

Lecture quizzes: ~1% weekly MCQ/short answer quizzes assessing student’s ability to recall key concepts and facts. These can be completed during and/or after the lecture – no specified time limit is applied, but must be completed before the tutorial sessions.

Lecture participation: Mini-activities done within the lecture session with a buddy partner for a small % of the course mark. Can be completed asynchronously.

Biomaterials in Industry Report and Viva: Students write up an investigative report on the biomaterials used in specific commercially available medical devices and implants, and assess the suitability of the biomaterials in these biomedical applications. This is an assessment for groups of four to five students. Students will then be subject to a group-based Q&A viva session where the understanding of the topic and the fact-checking and research capabilities will be further explored. Reports will be marked as a group. Viva performances will be marked individually. 

New Biomaterial for Industry: Students form hypothetical medtech companies, and propose the use of recently developed biomaterials in literature to replace currently used biomaterials for a new product. Students need to consider not only biomaterials aspects, but also potential cost and manufacturing aspects. The groups will be identical to the previous “Biomaterials in Industry Report”. Groups write up a 3-4 page report on the rationale of biomaterial choice for their new product. Students will then be subject to a group-based Q&A viva session where the understanding of the topic and the fact-checking and research capabilities will be further explored. Reports will be marked as a group. Viva performances will be marked individually. 

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Submitted work is of exceptional standard, beyond expectations expected of senior undergraduate engineering students. These submissions often satisfy extensive and correct critical analysis (86-90) and provide novel and thought-provoking yet reasoned out discussion points resulting from further independent learning (91+).

Distinction

75 - 84

Submitted assessment tasks are of very good standard. Typically, these assessments are very good in the descriptive nature, with a decent attempt at the critical analysis and thinking in the submission, but gaps are present.

Credit

65 - 74

Submitted assessment tasks are of good standard. Typically, these assessments are good in the descriptive nature, but lack the proper critical analysis and thinking in the submission (65-69), or some attempt has been made but mostly basic in nature (70-74)

Pass

50 - 64

All requirements of assessment met with the minimum satisfactory 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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to biomaterials Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Foreign materials in tissues and the body's response Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Metals and metal alloys in biomedical engineering Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Polymers and hydrogels as biomaterials Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Ceramics and glasses as biomaterials Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Coatings and composites as biomaterials and uses in biomedical devices Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Biomaterials Analysis Part I - Mechanical and Physical Characterisation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Biomaterials Analysis Part II - Biological and Chemical Characterisation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Conductive biomaterials Lecture and tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Plasma-coating techniques on biomaterials Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Hydrogels Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Bone Cements and Doped calcium silicate ceramics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Revision Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of a unit of study. Students are required to be in attendance at the correct time and place of any formal or informal examinations and scheduled assessments. Non-attendance on any grounds insufficient to claim special consideration will result in the forfeiture of marks associated with the assessment.

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.

Required readings

Prescribed readings will be allocated throughout the semester, mainly from published scholarly reviews in international biomaterials journals.

 

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. Appreciate and recognise the interdisciplinary nature of biomaterials science, whereby concepts from a wide range of areas including materials science, human biology, mechanics, chemistry and physics are brought together
  • LO2. Develop knowledge and understanding about the factors involved in the selection of a biomaterial for tissue replacement, including mechanical, biocompatibility, material property and fixation factors
  • LO3. Develop knowledge and understanding about the current state and recent developments in the field of biomaterials.
  • LO4. Identify, obtain, and analyse research data using appropriate strategies to gain in-depth knowledge and current advances in biomaterials.
  • LO5. Evaluate and assess the suitability of biomaterials and their engineering considerations, and the limitations in currently available biomaterials in the biomedical device sector
  • LO6. Evaluate and compare the state-of-the-art, most recently developed materials and biomaterials in peer-reviewed literature
  • LO7. Devise and propose novel biomedical device solutions, taking mechanical, biological, chemical and physical properties of the materials into account, as well as the financial and technical feasibility, and surgical considerations into account when designing solutions.
  • LO8. Employ techniques for effective oral and written communication of the concepts and knowledge underlining the background science and engineering applications of biomaterials used in biomedical devices, 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.

A revamp of the assessment profile has been made. Final examinations have been removed, and vivas associated with the ex

Disclaimer

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