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Unit outline_

BMET9962: Introduction to Mechanobiology

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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 BMET3962
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) Type C final exam Final exam
Final exam
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test Quiz 1
Tutorial quiz
10% Week 07 30 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Pre-prac assessment
Skill-based evaluation
10% Week 09 30 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Presentation Presentation
Presentation
20% Week 10 15 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Small test Quiz 2
Quiz 2
10% Week 12 30 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Skills-based evaluation Critical evaluation of the data and lab report
Skill-based evaluation
20% Week 13 3 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Type C final exam = 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. 
  • A comprehensive lab report should be submitted that includes the details of laboratory activity, methods, observations made, and critical analysis of the data and compare the observations with the data acquired in any research article under similar conditions. 

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.

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 Overview of the course and introduction to the emerging field of mechanobiology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 02 Introduction to cellular polymeric networks Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Cell signaling and mechanotransduction Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Extracellular matrix mechanics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 05 Overview of analytical methods in mechanobiology: part 1 Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 06 Overview of analytical methods in mechanobiology: part 2 Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 07 Role of biomaterials in mechanobiology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 08 Cancer Mechanobiology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 09 Mechanosensitive ion channels: part 1 Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Mechanosensitive ion channels: part 2 Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Microfluidic devices in mechanobiology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Cell migration and the influence of mechanics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Mechanobiology: current status, major advances, and it's future. Exam preparation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 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. 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.
  • LO7. Demonstrate comprehensive and integrated report writing related to the activities in the lab with critical analysis of the data obatained.

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.

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

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.