Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The mechanics of human musculo-skeletal system is determined by the joints, their skeletal structures and the tissues that make up the joints. In order to understand how the body behaves mechanically it is necessary to have an appreciation of the mechanics of the tissues of the joints (micro mechanics or tissue mechanics) and the function of the body during normal activities (macro-mechanics or biomechanics). This unit is designed to develop an understanding of the complex properties of the individual tissues and practical competencies in the evaluation of human function and performance from the biomechanical perspective. Biomedical engineers require the ability to analyse the mechanics of the human body for applications such as prosthetic design (both artificial limbs and replacement joints), design of assistive devices for people with disabilities, sporting performance, ergonomic tasks, and other health related areas.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to introduce you to the mechanics of the tissues that make up the human body and how they may be modelled, as well as introduce you to the fundamentals of the measurement and analysis of human movement.

Objectives

On completion on this unit you should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of biological tissues


2. Develop simple models of the mechanical behaviour of human tissues


3. Employ the skills required for the measurement of human movement


4. Articulate a working knowledge of the techniques required for the solution of problems in human movement analysis.

Content

Part A: Tissue Mechanics

• General Principles of modelling


• Mechanical analogues and their applications in bioengineering analysis


• Soft and hard tissue modelling and analysis


• Experimental biomechanics of soft and hard tissues.

Part B: Biomechanics

• fundamental equations of kinematics (revision)


• co-ordinate systems in planar motion


• fundamental equations of kinetics


• gait analysis


• data manipulation

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Teaching Mode:
Hours per week: 4
Lectures: 4 hrs/wk
Laboratories/Practicals: 3x 3 hr sessions

The teaching and learning will be accomplished in this Unit by classroom lectures, laboratory demonstration and hospital visit. Four contact hours per week are to be used. Surgeons will be invited to cover some clinical topics relevant to biomedical engineering. Additional reading will be required to reinforce the concepts introduced in lectures. The reading material will be placed on QUT intranet or Blackboard site. Topics from the Biomechanics and Tissue mechanics will be explained in the class, demonstrated in laboratory or hospital setting as the case may be.

Assessment

Assessments will consist of Examination (Theory), Report and Problem Solving Tasks.You will receive formative feedback on your progress during tutorials and discussions. Written comments will be provided on Report and Problem solving tasks.

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: You will solve problems related to Biomechanics and Tissue mechanics
Relates to objectives: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of biological tissues
2. Develop simple models of the mechanical behaviour of human tissues
3. Employ the skills required for the measurement of human movement
4. Articulate a working knowledge of the techniques required for the solution of problems in human movement analysis
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid-Semester

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will write a report on laboratory experiments embedded in the relevant theory.
Relates to objectives: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of biological tissues
2. Develop simple models of the mechanical behaviour of human tissues
Weight: 20%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk 11

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: You will have to demonstrate sound understanding of Biomechanics and Tissue mechanics topics covered in closed book theory examination.
Relates to objectives: 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the mechanics of biological tissues
2. Develop simple models of the mechanical behaviour of human tissues
3. Employ the skills required for the measurement of human movement
4. Articulate a working knowledge of the techniques required for the solution of problems in human movement analysis
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Exam Period

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Lecture notes will be available on Blackboard site.

Textbooks:
1. Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, By Nordin & Frankel (2001).
2. Research Methods in Biomechanics by D Gordon E Robertson et al (published by Human Kinetics)

Recommended references:
1. Biomechanics of the Musculo Skeletal System, Nigg B, & Herzog W, 2007; J Wiley & Sons
2. Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics and Mechano-Biology; Van C Mow, Rik Huiskes; 2005; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
3. Biomechanics by Susan Hall,
4. Iwan W Griffiths; Principles of Biomechanics & Motion Analysis; Lippincott Williams Wilkins
5. Winter DA (1990) Biomechanics and motor control of human movement - 2nd edition.
6. Whittle MW (1996) Gait analysis: An introduction.(a good basic & easy to understand book for Gait Analysis)
7. Chaffin DB, Anderssen GBJ & Martin BJ (1999) Occupational Biomechanics

Risk assessment statement

You will undertake lectures and tutorials in the traditional classrooms and lecture theatres. As such, there are no extraordinary workplace health and safety issues associated with these components of the unit.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of the lecturer and technical staff of the School. In any laboratory practicals you will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes).

You will undergo a health and safety induction before the commencement of the practical sessions and will be issued with a safety induction card. If you do not have a safety induction card you will be denied access to laboratories.

During the laboratory classes you will be exposed to electrical and mechanical machinery and biological tissues under the supervision of technical and academic staff.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 05-Feb-2013