MEC8049 : Orthopaedic Engineering
MEC8049 : Orthopaedic Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Elise Pegg
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
Minimum English Language to IELTS 6.0 or Pearsons 54 or equivalent. Meeting the Newcastle University entrance requirement for any Masters-level degree programme specifying this particular module in its Degree Regulations.
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
The aim is to introduce students to themes in medical or orthopaedic engineering where mechanical engineering knowledge is used to create new or improved medical or orthopaedic products or critical analyses, by identifying the current challenges and addressing them developing functional solutions. Anatomy and physiology will briefly be covered with the focus on engineering applications pertinent to orthopaedics in both the mechanical and biological domains.
Outline Of Syllabus
Overview of orthopaedic engineering. Anatomy and physiology. Biomechanics of the human body. Motion capture methods. The science of artificial joint performance. Natural joints compared to artificial joints (hip and knee). Surgical instrumentation. Devices for conservative treatment. An engineering critique of device design with emphasis on avoiding problems, such as wear and fatigue. An overview of standards and testing in orthopedics.
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
Synthesise information about orthopaedic engineering and make informed judgements by critically evaluating & applying appropriate concepts/arguments/issues etc in terms of current interventions supported by valid/ significant evidence (M2).
Demonstrate complex and conceptually challenging orthopaedic engineering knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights in bioengineering from assessing historic and state of the art literature and other appropriate sources (M1, M4).
Critically evaluate appropriate methodologies and methods in orthopaedic engineering, some of which could be applied in an original way and/or relating to failures in orthopaedics and consider their societal impacts (M7).
Design solutions for solving problems by applying different strategies to address the clinical challenges associated with medical devices used in orthopaedic engineering (M5, M6)
Intended Skill Outcomes
Upon successfully completing the module, students should be able to:
Evaluate the key aspects of natural and artificial orthopaedic joints (M2)
Judge the operational requirements, assess current and upcoming technology and compare typical performance, or lack of, in orthopaedic implants and/or devices (M4)
Be able to explore and technically critique or revise orthopaedic implants designs and/or technology from an engineering perspective (M13).
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to the module |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 3 | 3:00 | 9:00 | Tutorial exercise preparation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 28:00 | 112:00 | Recommended revision for assessments, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Module summary and exam preparation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | Lectures covering the whole syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Inspera digital exam covering whole syllabus |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 3 | 1:00 | 3:00 | Tutorial exercises to put in practice taught content |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 4 | 14:00 | 56:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to demonstrate analysis to the discipline-specific problems identified. The tutorials are designed to get the students to learn the lecture material and read around the lecture material to apply the rational and techniques learnt to review, consolidate, extend and apply knowledge & understanding to initiate and carry out a study of an orthopaedic engineering issue
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 1 | A | 100 | End of module in class Inspera digital assessment covering whole syllabus. (M1, M2, M4, M5, M6, M8, M13) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 1 | M | Canvas Practice Quiz for the digital exam (M2, M4, M5, M6, M13) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Summative assessment will cover all the orthopaedic engineering topics covered and will take the form of a digital examination with a combination of essay-based and calculation-based questions. Formative assessment will be as a practice exam which will allow the students to become familiar with the examination processes and the format of the exam.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8049's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MEC8049's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2025 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, staffing changes, and student feedback. Module information for the 2026/27 entry will be published here in early-April 2026. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.