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Biomechanical Physics & Computation (BMEN20001)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS:
This subject aims to introduce students to the use of computational modelling to apply biomechanical physics to problems in bioengineering research and industry. The course introduces students to important fundamentals of software programming (through the use of MATLAB) and numerical techniques to solving biomechanics equations. The course will introduce students to relevant applications in human movement, soft-tissue mechanics and cellular mechanobiology.
INDICATIVE CONTENT:
Topics include:
- Kinematics – displacement/velocity/acceleration relationships; speed vs velocity; linear and angular velocity.
- Forces, moments, free body diagrams, normal/shear stress and strain.
- Mechanics of materials – stress/strain relations, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio.
- Newton’s laws.
- Deriving ODEs to solve simple dynamics problems – mass and spring; pendulum swing; projectile motion.
- Data structures/types in programs – variables, numbers, characters, arrays, strings, floating point, single and double precision (pointers).
- Writing programs – main program, functions, scope of variables in programs (whole-program vs function-specific variables).
- Control structures – if/else, for loops, while loops, do until loops.
- Numerical methods for solving linear ODEs.
- Approximation and errors in numerical computation.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO's)
On completion of this subject students should be able to:
- Use Newton's Laws of Motion to analyse equilibrium and dynamics in biomechanics applications.
- Analyse stresses and strains of biological materials under different loads.
- Analyse human motion and impact using fundamental kinematics and kinetics equations.
- Read, write and debug small-scale numerical programs in MATLAB.
- Translate biomechanics related mathemtical equations into computer programs in MATLAB.
- Implement and utilise fundamental numerical methods to solve biomechanic equations (e.g. ordinary differential equations).
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution.
- Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning.
- Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship.
- An ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals.
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10006 | Calculus 2 |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST10021 | Calculus 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10009 | Accelerated Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10019 - Calculus Extension Studies
AND one of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MAST10007 | Linear Algebra |
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
MAST10022 | Linear Algebra: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10008 | Accelerated Mathematics 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10018 - Linear Algebra Extension Studies
OR
Admission into the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Biomedical), (Biomedical with Business) or (Materials)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Participation in up to 11 workshops and 1 laboratory session in Weeks 1 to 12, with 4 written and coding assignments requiring 20-24 hours of work each and are worth 10% each. ILO's 1-6 are assessed through the laboratory assignments
| From Week 1 to Week 12 | 40% |
One mid-semester test in weeks 5-7. ILO's 1,2,4 and 5 are assessed in the mid-semester test.
| From Week 5 to Week 7 | 10% |
One examination. ILO's 1-6 are assessed in the final written examination.
| End of semester | 50% |
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Vijay Rajagopal Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 11 x 2 hour workshops and 1 x 2 hour laboratory workshop Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 27 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Humphrey JD, and Delange SL, An Introduction to Biomechanics
Nihat O. Nordin M, Goldsheyder D, and Leger D, Fundamentals of Biomechanics, 3rd Edition
Meriam Jl and Kraige LG, Enginerring Mechanics: Dynamics, 7th Edition
Hibbeler RC, Statics and Mechanics of Materials, 3rd Edition
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Specialisation (formal) Biomedical Specialisation (formal) Biomedical with Business - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 27 April 2024