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Biotransport Processes (BMEN30007)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 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 2
Dr Daniel Heath
Email: daniel.heath@unimelb.edu.au
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 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
AIMS
This subject introduces transport processes in biomedical systems, complementing and reinforcing material learned in related biology subjects. Students will be introduced to the process of developing engineering models and simple conceptual designs in the context of biological systems. The subject covers fundamental concepts of diffusion and conservation within momentum, heat and mass transport. Within momentum transport, specific topics include Newton’s law of viscosity, viscosity of gases and liquids, conservation of momentum, velocity distributions in simple laminar flows, boundary layer concepts and turbulence and the Reynolds number. Within heat transport, Fourier’s law of conduction is covered. Within mass transport, specific topics include Fick’s first and second laws of diffusion, diffusivities of gases, liquids and solids, binary mixture diffusion and conservation of mass, concentration distributions in simple binary systems including identifying appropriate boundary conditions, concentration boundary layer concepts, Schmidt and Sherwood numbers, definition and use of mass transfer coefficients.
Students will examine transport of molecules and cells in biological systems to describe various key processes, such as cell migration and provision of cell nutrition. The role of transport processes in biological systems and employed in clinical applications, such as dialysis, will be described using simple engineering models.
INDICATIVE CONTENT
Topics covered include momentum transport, viscosity, turbulence, heat transport, mass transport, diffusion in binary systems, unsteady state mass transfer, and modelling biological transport processes.
Intended learning outcomes
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)
On completion of this subject the student is expected to:
- Describe the fundamental concepts of momentum, heat and mass transfer.
- Understand the roles of transport processes in the cells, tissues and organ systems of the human body.
- Formulate problems in chemical and biological systems, identifying fundamental transport processes and the equations that describe these systems.
- Apply these principles to the solution of problems in process and biomedical engineering.
- Perform simple laboratory experiments that deepen and amplify theoretical concepts.
Generic skills
- Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals.
- Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution.
- Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large.
- Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.
- Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Undergraduate Students:
Students must have completed the following subjects (or equivalent) prior to enrolling in this subject:
One of the following:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10002 | Biomolecules and Cells | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10008 | Introductory Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10009 | Biology: Life's Machinery | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
* BIOL10004 will only be available to students who have enrolled in a degree at the University of Melbourne prior to 2020.
* Students who have completed VCE Biology Units 3 and 4 with a study score of 25 or above must take BIOL10009 and will not be eligible to gain credit for BIOL10008.
AND
One of the following:
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 |
MAST10009 | Accelerated Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10021 | Calculus 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10019 Calculus Extension Studies
AND
One of the following:
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 |
MAST10008 | Accelerated Mathematics 1 | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10022 | Linear Algebra: Advanced | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies
Postgraduate students:
Admission to the MC-ENG Master of Engineering (Biomedical) or (Biomedical with Business) or (Environmental) or (Materials)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
CHEN20009 | Transport Processes |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
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.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
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: 11 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
Semester 2
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Attendance and participation in two laboratory classes each with a written assignment. Each requiring 10 hours of work including preparation for practical, attendance to practical, and preparation of report. (Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO) 5 is addressed )
| From Week 3 to Week 11 | 20% |
Two written assignments. Each requiring 10 hours of work. (Intended Learning Outcome (ILOs) 1 - 4 are addressed)
| From Week 6 to Week 12 | 20% |
One written closed book examination. (Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed )
| End of semester | 60% |
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Daniel Heath Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x 1 hour lectures/week , 1 x 1 hour tutorial/week, 2 x 2 hour practicals per semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Dr Daniel Heath
Email: daniel.heath@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
Estimated 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
The subject will be delivered through a combination of lectures and tutorials. Students will also complete two experiments which will reinforce the material covered in lectures.
INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
Students will have access to lecture notes and tutorial problem sheets with solution guides for tutorial problems provided after the tutorials.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Bioengineering Systems Major Environmental Engineering Systems Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Bioengineering Systems Specialisation (formal) Biomedical with Business Specialisation (formal) Biomedical - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- 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: 11 April 2024