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 Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Module summary and final discussions (last teaching week) (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Practice for oral presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 2:00 | 22:00 | Lectures covering the whole syllabus (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 44 | 2:30 | 110:00 | Recommended revision for assessments, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Tutorial - Edupack materials database software demonstration (PiP) |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Practice on materials database software |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 20 | 3:00 | 60:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | End of module in class online PC assessment covering whole syllabus (PiP) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Scheduled on-line contact time | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Oral presentation and answers to questions (PiP) |
| 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 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 Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 70 | End of module in class Inspera digital assessment covering whole syllabus |
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) |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 1 | M | Canvas 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
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8059's Timetable