MEC8054 : Contemporary Case Studies in Biomedical Engineering
MEC8054 : Contemporary Case Studies in Biomedical Engineering
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Miss Alessia Noccaro
- Lecturer: Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte
- 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 6.5 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
• Introduce basic orthopaedic and neuroscientific theory relevant to the case studies.
• Critically apply mechanical engineering techniques to biomedical engineering problems.
• Provide knowledge and understanding of key healthcare technologies and their impact.
• To raise critical awareness of the use of biomedical technologies and provide practical examples of their application
Outline Of Syllabus
• Broad overview of biomedical engineering technologies and applications.
• Description of case studies of medical technologies in the field of biomedical robotics, including clinical needs, relevant anatomy and physiology, clinical and engineering assessments of previous and current design solutions.
• Description of human-robotic technologies and their application to motor neuroscience and rehabilitation
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
By the end of this module, the students will be able to:
• Critically apply concepts of biology and physiology to the design and use of biomedical engineering technologies (M1, M2).
• Evaluate contemporary case studies related to biomedical engineering (M2)
• Analyse and critically evaluate technical literature related to biomedical engineering (M4)
• Acquire knowledge of experimental design and data analysis for biomedical research and critically interpret and present the results (M3, M12, M13, M17, M18)
Intended Skill Outcomes
By the end of the module, it is expected that the students should be able to employ a range of engineering skills to applications associated with biomedical engineering. In particular, key skills will include:
• Identify the main drivers and constraints which frame a contemporary need for a biomedical engineering solution (M2, M4)
• Evaluate a contemporary biomedical engineering solution and show appreciation of benefits and drawbacks (M1, M2, M4)
• Design and perform experiments on humans to test scientific hypotheses in the field of biomedical engineering (M12, M13)
• Understand and use data analysis techniques to interpret experimental data on humans (M3)
• Communicate effectively the experimental methods and results (M16, M17)
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Work for the individual assignment (data analysis and presentation) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Introduction lecture |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 5 | 1:00 | 5:00 | Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Work on the report. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Data analysis in MATLAB. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Lab experiments for the acquisition of data on motor learning |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 3:00 | 3:00 | 1 hour open office |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 79:00 | 79:00 | Recommended revision for assessments |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will introduce the teaching material. Lectures provide the medium through which information and complex ideas can be delivered. The teaching material delivered will, through taught case studies, analyse in detail a clinical situation where a biomedical engineering solution is available. The use of case studies will allow the students to investigate contemporary areas of biomedical engineering in depth. Engineering solutions will be assessed and critiqued by students during discussions in lectures, prior to being assessed. Students will appraise scientific literature on the contemporary issues in biomedical engineering and produce individual assignments. Practical sessions for experimental data acquisition and their elaboration in MATLAB will provide skills on experimental design and data analysis. Independent study supports the students' self-study in reading around the lecture material and the associated scientific literature.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Examination | 30 | 2 | M | 70 | 30 min team oral examination on the whole syllabus including 10min of oral presentation on individual lab results (M1, M2, M3, M12, M13, M16, M17) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | 30 | 1000-word individual report on specific case study (M1, M2, M3, M4, M17, M18) in the teaching week 37 |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The individual report will test whether the students have learned to analyse and critically evaluate technical literature related to biomedical engineering and assess contemporary case studies in the field. The second, larger piece of assessment will be an oral presentation on lab experiments and related data analysis. It will evaluate the students' ability to critically apply concepts of biology and physiology to the design and use of biomedical engineering technologies, utilise knowledge of experimental design and data analysis for biomedical research, and critically interpret and present the results.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8054's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MEC8054's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2026 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 2027/28 entry will be published here in early-April 2027. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.