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Module

MEC8059 : Biomaterials

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Oana Bretcanu
  • Lecturer: Dr Matthew German, Dr Mark Gidley, Dr Kenneth Rankin
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

The module covers fundamental aspects of biomaterials science with an emphasis on
biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. The relationship between materials, design and medical
device properties will be discussed using typical clinical applications. Properties, advantages and
limitations of commercial medical devices and biomaterials such as bioglasses, bone cements,
hip and knee implants, dental materials, etc will be introduced.

Outline Of Syllabus

- Introduction to biomaterials: definitions, classification, properties and applications
- Edupack materials database software
- Bone and cartilage structure
- Applications of biomaterials in medicine (bone cements, hip and knee implants, hernia meshes, CMF implants,
etc)
- Dental materials (delivered by a lecturer from the Dental School)
- Orthopaedic surgery (delivered by an NHS orthopaedic surgeon)
- Introduction to microbiology (delivered by a clinical lecturer from the Dental School)

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture12:002:00Module summary and final discussions (last teaching week) (PiP)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion10:300:30Practice for oral presentation
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture112:0022:00Lectures covering the whole syllabus (PiP)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion442:30110:00Recommended revision for assessments, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesSmall group teaching12:002:00Tutorial - Edupack materials database software demonstration (PiP)
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study21:002:00Practice on materials database software
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study203:0060:00Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time11:001:00End of module in class online PC assessment covering whole syllabus (PiP)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesScheduled on-line contact time10:300:30Oral presentation and answers to questions (PiP)
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures cover fundamental knowledge and help students to apply what they learnt to specific case studies.

Edupack tutorial provides additional support to consolidate the properties of biomaterials.

Private study supports the students’ self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems identified during lectures.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Digital Examination601A70End of module in class Inspera digital assessment covering whole syllabus
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Presentation1M30PowerPoint individual presentation on specific topic (10 min presentation followed by questions)
Formative Assessments
Description Semester When Set Comment
Digital Examination1MCanvas Practice Quiz for the digital exam.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessments provide an appropriate way to assess both theoretical understanding and practical problem solving
skills. The students should be able to apply a broad range of knowledge to the healthcare applications of
biomaterials.

The formative assessment will prepare students for their summative examination.

Reading Lists

Timetable