MEC8059 : Biomaterials
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Oana Bretcanu
- Lecturer: Dr Matthew German, Dr Adam Wollman, Dr Kenneth Rankin
- 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 | |
Aims
The module covers fundamental aspects of biomaterials science with an emphasis on biomaterials for bone tissue engineering. The module focuses on the biomaterials used in medical devices for orthopaedic applications, their properties and methods of fabrication. Typical examples will be given for the application of biomaterials in the medical field. Their benefits and limitations will be discussed and appraised.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module will introduce major classes of biomedical implant materials including metals, ceramics and polymers. Properties, advantages and limitations of commercial medical devices and biomaterials such as bioglasses, bone cements, hip and knee implants, dental materials, etc will be evaluated. Relevant case studies will be used as examples for selection of biomaterials used today in orthopaedic surgery.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Completion of examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to the module |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | End of module in class online PC assessment covering whole syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Oral presentation and answers to questions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Module summary and final discussions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Practice for oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures covering the whole syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 43 | 2:30 | 107:30 | Recommended revision for assessments, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Tutorial - Edupack materials database software demonstration |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | Explant lab visit |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Practice on materials database software |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 58:00 | 58:00 | Recommended personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
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 biomaterials selection based on the design requirements.
Independent study supports the students’ self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems identified during lectures.
Assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for both their formative and summative assessments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 70 | End of module in class Inspera digital assessment covering whole syllabus [M1, M2, M13] |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 30 | PowerPoint individual presentation on specific topic (10 min presentation followed by questions) [M4, M17] |
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. [M1, M2, M13, M18] |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Inspera digital exam will assess theoretical understanding of all aspects of the module. The students should be able to apply a broad range of knowledge to the healthcare applications of biomaterials.
The oral presentation will assess communication skills on a specific topic, at a technical level suitable to the audience. The students should be able to select and critically evaluate technical literature, to effectively present their specific topic.
The formative assessment will help students to prepare for their summative examination, by reinforcing key concepts related to taught material covered during lectures.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8059's Timetable