Biomechanical Physics & Computation (BMEN20001)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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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: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST10006 Calculus 2
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10009 Accelerated Mathematics 2
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

AND one of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST10007 Linear Algebra
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MAST10008 Accelerated Mathematics 1
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Admission into the MC-ENG (Biomedical) or (Biomedical with Business)

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: 20 March 2025

Assessment

Additional details

  • Participation in up to 11 workshops and 1 laboratory session in Weeks 1 to 12, with 5 fortnightly written and coding assignments (the first two require 10-12 hours of work each and are worth 5% each, the final three require 20-24 hours of work each and are worth 10% each. ILO's 1-6 are assessed through the laboratory assignments
  • One mid-semester test of 1 hour duration in weeks 5-7, 10%. ILO's 1,2,4 and 6 are assessed in the mid-semester test.
  • One end of semester examination of three hours 50%. ILO's 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are assessed in the final written examination.

Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the written end-of-semester examination to pass the subject.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorVijay Rajagopal
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x 1 hour lectures per week, 11 x 2 hour workshops and 1 x 2 hour laboratory workshop
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017
    Last self-enrol date10 March 2017
    Census date31 March 2017
    Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017
    Assessment period ends23 June 2017

    Semester 1 contact information

    Email: vijay.rajagopal@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025