Module Catalogue 2024/25

MEC8049 : Orthopaedic Engineering

MEC8049 : Orthopaedic Engineering

  • Offered for Year: 2024/25
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Philip Hyde
  • Lecturer: Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte, Dr Piergiorgio Gentile
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 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. Natural joints compared to artificial joints. The science of artificial joint performance. An engineering critique of designs with emphasis on avoiding problems. Biomechanics of the human body. Materials for orthopaedics. Additive manufacturing. Biological strategies for improving osseointegration. Biological complications and management. Simple in vitro models of cell therapy. An overview of standards in orthopedics. Individual reports and exam.

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 (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 ActivitiesLecture42:008:00Lectures split between part 1 and 2 of the module.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture21:002:00Lectures split between part 1 and 2 of the module
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion18:008:00Recommended 'in-class' problem questions
Structured Guided LearningLecture materials101:0010:00Lectures split between part 1 and 2 of the module
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching22:004:00Tutorials / contact time to discuss report (x2)
Guided Independent StudyProject work138:0038:00Report 2 (covering part 2 material)
Guided Independent StudyProject work138:0038:00Report 1 (covering part 1 material)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study192:0092:00Recommended regular personal study
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures convey the underlying engineering science and the approaches required to demonstrate analysis to the discipline-specific problems identified. The two individual (summative assessment) reports 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

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M50Assessed via report. Report 1 (2000 words)
Written exercise2M50Assessed via report. Report 2 (2000 words)
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
Written exercise2MPart 1 and 2 have separate formative assessments - Formative in-class assessments.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Summative assessment will cover two different topics in orthopaedic engineering and will take the form of two 2000 words (or equivalent) reports. Formative assessment will be given by in-lecture problem questions (i.e. tutorial or Q&A sessions). The two reports will demonstrate knowledge from part 1 and part 2 of the lecture course. Assessment outcome will be determined by the quality of the report according to the marking criteria given.

Timetable

Past Exam Papers

General Notes

N/A

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Disclaimer

The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 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, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.