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, discussing ethical and security considerations as part of an overall theme of Responsible Research and Innovation.
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.
Linked modules
Referral: 100% exam. External Repeat: 100% exam.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- 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.
- Understand key concepts important to the physical science and required for better understanding of BME usage.
- Analyse the ethical and security considerations of using technology on humans in support of health and wellness
- Draw annotated diagrams to demonstrate key concepts in the physical science
- Identify steps in a physical science process and what happens when it goes wrong
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Evaluate the experimental risks and understand how to mitigate against those risks
- Apply common mathematical expressions encountered in science and engineering
- Apply core physical science equations to calculations
- Extract model parameters from experimental data sets
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Record and report laboratory work (Shared with BIOM1000)
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Setup apparatus correctly and safely to conduct biochemical laboratory experiments (Shared with BIOM1000)
Syllabus
Block 1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
- What is biomedical engineering and what are we trying to achieve
- Ethical and security considerations of engineering solutions in health care.
- The importance of end-user interaction in developing solutions for patients
- 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 |
---|---|
Seminar | 8 |
Independent Study | 90 |
Lecture | 40 |
Specialist Laboratory | 12 |
Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
(Voet and Voet). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Matthews). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Hammond). Block2: Electromagnetism for Engineers - An Introductory Course.
(Halliday). Block2: Principles of Physics.
(Enderle & Bronzino). Block1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
(Nelson and Cox). Block3: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry.
(Berg, Tymocsko and Stryer). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Atkins and De Paula). Block4: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
Method | Percentage contribution |
---|---|
Examination | 70% |
Coursework | 10% |
Lab work | 20% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External