Module overview
This module will introduce students to the disciplines of biomedical engineering (BME). This module is organized into 4 blocks. The first block is compulsory for all students and provides an overview of the key challenges in health and wellness.
Students will also study further blocks that will provide a foundation in the key disciplines of chemistry, physics and biology as required for biomedical engineering. The choice of block will depend on the subjects studied at A-level (or equivalent).
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply core physical science equations to calculations
- Extract model parameters from experimental data sets
- Apply common mathematical expressions encountered in science and engineering
- Evaluate the experimental risks and understand how to mitigate against those risks
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- Students studying Block 2 should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: • The principles of electricity, electrostatics and magnetism • Waves, resonance and ionizing radiation • Solid Mechanics Students studying Block 3 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. Students studying Block 4 should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of: • The principles of chemical bonds, reaction rates and equilibria. • The concept of chemical equilibrium.
- 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
- Analyze the ethical considerations of using technology on humans in support of health and wellness
- Understand key concepts important to the physical science and required for better understanding of BME usage.
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Collect data and write up experimental results in scientific format.
- Interpret data from an experiment, including the construction of appropriate graphs
- Evaluate errors in data and experiments
Subject Specific Practical Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in standard laboratory techniques
- Safely perform biochemical laboratory techniques
- Setup apparatus correctly to conduct experiments
Syllabus
Block 1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
- What is biomedical engineering and what are we trying to achieve
- Ethical considerations of engineering solutions in health care.
- The importance of end-user interaction in developing solutions for patients
- Measurements and their errors
- 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, tutorials and laboratories.
36 hours of lectures
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 36 |
| Independent Study | 101 |
| Specialist Laboratory | 13 |
| Total study time | 150 |
Resources & Reading list
Textbooks
(Atkins and De Paula). Block4: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.
(Matthews). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Nelson and Cox). Block3: Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry .
(Voet and Voet). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Enderle & Bronzino). Block1: Introduction to Biomedical Engineering.
(Hammond). Block2: Electromagnetism for Engineers - An Introductory Course.
(Berg, Tymocsko and Stryer). Block3: Biochemistry.
(Halliday). Block2: Principles of Physics.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Lab work | 20% |
| Examination | 70% |
| Coursework | 10% |