Mechanics for Bioengineering (BMEN30010)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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Mechanical forces play a critical role in the healthy function of the human body, from movement during walking to beating of the heart. Mechanical forces also affect the properties and function of engineered tissues and influence the migration and spread of cancer cells through the body.  This subject introduces students to fundamental principles in mechanics including analysis of bioengineering systems under static equilibrium conditions, analysis of forces during dynamic motion, mechanical behaviour and strength of biomaterials. Topics covered in this subject will include: Newtons’ laws of motion; stress and strain analysis in mechanical and biological systems subjected to different types of static loads; fundamentals of mechanical testing and failure analysis for biomaterials characterisation; fundamental physics underpinning motion of rigid bodies. Topics will draw on real-world bioengineering applications.    

Please view this video for further information: Mechanics for Bioengineering

Intended learning outcomes

Upon completion of this subject, students will be able to:

  • Use free body diagrams and Newton's laws to solve basic mechanics problems in biomedical engineering
  • Perform stress and strain analysis of common biomechanical systems
  • Evaluate mechanical properties of materials and perform mechanical testing and failure analysis of materials relevant to biomedical engineering
  • Employ dynamic analysis techniques to solve a range of problems in biomechanical motion
  • Write computer programs to investigate and offer solutions to problems in a variety of biomechanics problems
  • Effectively communicate their understanding of, approach to and analysis of mechanics-related problems in bioengineering.

Generic skills

  • The ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
  • The ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
  • The ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
  • Proficiency in engineering design
  • A capacity for creativity and innovation
  • The 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
  • A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development

Last updated: 30 November 2024

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics
Summer Term (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

NOTE: For students admitted into the MC-BIOMENG Master of Biomedical Engineering, BMEN30010 - Mechanics for Bioengineering may be taken concurrently with MAST20029 - Engineering Mathematics. Please complete an enrolment assistance form if you wish to enrol concurrently, Subject Coordinator approval is not required.

AND

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
COMP20005 Intro. to Numerical Computation in C
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BMEN20003 Applied Computation in Bioengineering
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

NOTE: For students admitted into the MC-BIOMENG Master of Biomedical Engineering, BMEN30010 - Mechanics for Bioengineering may be taken concurrently with BMEN20003 - Applied Computation in Bioengineering. Please complete an enrolment assistance form if you wish to enrol concurrently, Subject Coordinator approval is not required.

AND

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOM20002 Human Structure and Function
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 25
BMEN20002 Anatomy & Physiology for Bioengineering
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Note: the following subject/s can also be taken concurrently (at the same time)

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
ANAT20006 Principles of Human Structure
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
PHYS20008 Human Physiology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

OR

Equivalent

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BMEN30005 Introduction to Biomechanics No longer available
ENGR20004 Engineering Mechanics
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

BMEN20001 - Biomechanical Physics and Computation

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: 30 November 2024

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

10 weekly online quizzes of equal weighting (0.5%) assessing understanding of online lecture material. Due weeks 2 - 11. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 - 5 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 5 hours
Throughout the teaching period5%

Group-based project (2 - 4 students per group) in implant design and construction. 15 hours per student. ILOs 1 - 3, 5 and 6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 hours
Week 615%

Group-based project (2 - 4 students per group) in dynamic motion analysis/design. 15 hours per student. ILOs 4 - 6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 hours
Week 1215%

One mid-term test. 50 minutes (in class). ILOs 1 - 3 and 6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 50 minutes
Week 715%

One written 2-hour examination. ILOs 1 - 6 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 2 hours
Hurdle requirement: The examination must be passed to pass the subject.		During the examination period50%

Last updated: 30 November 2024

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorVijay Rajagopal
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours20-hour lectures through the semester (20 hours); 4 x 1-hour guest lectures from industry (4 hours); 9 x 2.5-hour flipped classroom activities and 1 x 2.5-hour lab practical (25 hours); 1 x 1-hour tutorials in Weeks 2-12 (11 hours)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period26 February 2024 to 26 May 2024
    Last self-enrol date 8 March 2024
    Census date 3 April 2024
    Last date to withdraw without fail 3 May 2024
    Assessment period ends21 June 2024

    Semester 1 contact information

    Dr Vijay Rajagopal

    Email: vijay.rajagopal@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 30 November 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 lectures, tutorials and, workshops, and laboratory practicals. 
     
    INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
    Students will be provided e-copy of lecture slides that can be used as lecture notes. Additional content necessary for workshop activities will be made available in workshop documents. Tutorial problem sheets and solutions will be provided. 
     
    CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
    Students will undertake two project-based assignments involving a bionic limb that will expose them to industry practices in engineering technical analysis, and technical report writing. Example applications of subject concepts will be given through out the subject to raise their awareness of exciting career options that open up from becoming proficient in the subject. 

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    CourseMaster of Biomedical Engineering
    Specialisation (formal)Biomedical with Business
    Specialisation (formal)Biomedical
    MajorBiomedical Engineering Systems
    MajorBiomedical Engineering Systems
  • 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.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • 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: 30 November 2024