Aims

•       Introduce electronic and mechanical engineering techniques relevant to applications in biological systems.
•       Provide knowledge and understanding of key healthcare technologies and their impact.
•       Raise critical awareness of the ethical and regulatory aspects of biomedical engineering.
• Introduce basic biology and physiology

Outline Of Syllabus

•       Broad overview of Biomedical Engineering
•       Biology and physiology for Engineers
•       Case study of a medical implant including clinical need, relevant local anatomy, assessment of previous and current design solutions, medical implant regulation and assessment of current clinical issues
•       Introduction to bioelectric phenomenon followed by a case study
•       Biomedical Engineering research governance (embedded in the case studies) including research ethics, safety, regulatory framework, and PPI (Public and Patient Involvement)
•       Individual project work on a contemporary issue in Biomedical Engineering

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures will introduce the teaching material, which will be offered under three broad headings: biology for engineers, introduction to biomechanics and introduction to bioelectronics. Lectures provide the medium through which information and complex ideas can be delivered to groups, and through which any immediate questions from students can be dealt with. The teaching material delivered, in the areas of bioelectronics and biomechanics, will cover current biomedical engineering research governance and, through a taught case study, analyse in detail a clinical situation where a biomedical engineering solution is available. The use of a case study will allow the students to investigate a contemporary area of biomedical engineering in depth. This engineering solution will be assessed and critiqued by students during class based discussions, prior to being examined. These class based discussions will help the students to understand the area of biomedical engineering as well as related concerns such as regulatory requirements. In addition, students will appraise contemporary scientific literature on a contemporary issue in Biomedical Engineering and produce an individual essay. Private study supports the students' self-study in reading around the lecture material and the associated scientific literature.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Most (75%) of the assessment will be by PC examination. Assessment weighting will follow the 15:45:45 ratio of teaching hours and relate to biology, bioelectronics and biomechanics.
The remaining 25% of the assessment will consist of an individual essay which tests the student’s ability to appraise scientific literature on a contemporary issue in biomedical engineering
For the purposes of professional body accreditation, in order to obtain a passing mark overall for this module (50%) at the first attempt the minimum acceptable mark for each of the assessment items specified above shall be 35%, with the maximum possible module overall mark where this is not the case being restricted to 40%.