Units
Biomaterials
Unit code: ENB338
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
Topics covered in this unit include: an understanding of the relationships between the properties, failure mechanisms, processing and microstructures of various materials used for medical applications and their interaction with human tissues; an understanding of the fundamentals of the use of materials in a medical environment and an understanding of the fundamentals of materials properties and processing; consideration of metallic, ceramic, polymeric implant materials; composites as biomaterials; structure-property relationships of biomaterials; tissue response to implants; soft tissue replacements; hard tissue replacements.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Biomaterials are widely used for medical implants and devices. Thus, it is important for you in biomedical engineering to identify the fundamental properties of biomaterials. After taking this unit, you should be able to select suitable biomaterials for specific medical implants, devices and tissue engineering applications. You will also have the essential knowledge to communicate with other professionals in the broad biomedical field including materials engineers, cell biologists, and surgeons. This unit develops your knowledge from the basic engineering materials unit you have already undertaken.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to develop your knowledge of fundamental characteristics of biomaterials including biocompatibility, physical and chemical properties, and fabrication methods, which will provide you with the skills to select and use suitable materials in medical implants, devices and tissue engineering applications. It will also develop your ability to communicate related technical issues with relevant health scientists and medical practitioners.
Objectives
By the end of the unit you should be able to:
1. Describe the major types of biomaterials that are used for medical implants and devices and in tissue engineering applications.
2. Identify the fabrication methods and properties of biomaterials
3. Analyse all the factors involved in the selection of biomaterials for medical implants and devices and tissue engineering applications.
4. Read and evaluate journal articles on biomaterials and their applications.
Content
1.Introduction to biomaterials used in medical implants and devices
2.Material-tissue interactions (material response to tissue and tissue response to materials)
3.Biometals (stainless steel, titanium alloys, etc.)
4.Bioceramics (alumina, hydroxyapatite, tricalcium phosphate, etc.)
5.Biopolymers (polyethylene, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid, etc.)
6.Biocomposites (hydroxyapatite/polyethylene composite, hydroxyapaptite/poly-lactide, etc.)
7.Biomaterials for orthopaedics (artificial joint replacement, spinal fusion, etc.) and for dentistry (dental restoration, dental implants, etc.)
8.Biomaterials for tissue engineering applications (I, II and III)
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
Teaching Mode: Hours per week: 4
Lecture: 2
Laboratory practice: 1
Tutorials (including oral presentations): 1
This unit integrates theoretical and conceptual content (from lectures) with practice via laboratory practicals and individual research on specific devices and materials in the medical field. It develops your ability to research, apply and present biomaterials engineering applications.
Assessment
QUT's Assessment Policy is located at MOPP c/5.1
Assessment for this unit includes a group report with an individual oral presentation, laboratory practicals and an exam.You will receive written feedback on your report and oral and written feedback on your presentations.
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
Submit a formal report on a selected biomaterials topic.
Relates to objectives:
3, 4
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 9
Assessment name:
Laboratory/Practical
Description:
Conduct laboratory experiments and make a group presentation.
Relates to objectives:
3, 4
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Group
Due date:
Week 11
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
You are required to analyse & solve problems related to engineering applications of biomaterials.
Relates to objectives:
1
Weight:
50%
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
Biomaterials Science, 2nd Edition.
Buddy Ratner, Ph.D.,Allan Hoffman, Sc.D., Frederick Schoen, M.D., Ph.D., Jack Lemons, Ph.D.
Online Resource: Blackboard- ENB338-Biomaterials
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.
During the laboratory classes you will be exposed to electrical and mechanical machinery under the supervision of technical and academic staff. 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).
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.
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: 06-Feb-2013
