EGH418 Biomechanics

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Biomedical engineers require the ability to analyse the mechanics of the human body for a large variety of applications. The first type of problems deal with prosthetic design, design of assistive devices for people with disabilities, sporting performance, and ergonomic tasks which can be addressed within the context of rigid-body dynamics. The second type of applications is related to characterisation of tissue mechanical properties to bone fracture fixation, development of cartilage and ligament replacement materials and dynamic adaptation of living tissues.In this advanced unit, the concepts of dynamics and continuum mechanics are further developed in the context of biomechanical systems and human movement. Skills for the measurement of human movement and lab-based testing of biological tissues are developed.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Explain properties of the engineering mechanics of the constituent components of biomechanical systems at a mastered level.
2. Apply analysis theories in engineering mechanics, to biomechanical systems at a mastered level.
3. Analyse the physical response using engineering mechanics of biomechanical systems using engineering software at a mastered level.
4. Communicate engineering design and analysis procedures in engineering mechanics of biomechanical systems, at a mastered level.

Content

Learning Approaches

In this unit you can expect to experience the following timetabled activities:

• Formal lectures from experienced academics and that will activate your understanding of theories and principles, and model approaches to solving biomechanical problems. You will have the opportunity to ask questions during these lectures.
• Tutorial classes that will give you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your peers to solve problems. These will be facilitated by tutors and will provide an opportunity to test your understanding and gain feedback on your work.
• Computer workshops that will allow you to work collaboratively on developing programming skills for solving biomechanical problems relevant for your assignments.   
• Practical classes, in which you will collaboratively plan for and conduct experiments to give you hands on experience in biomechanical experimentation that you are learning about.
• Hospital-based gait lab visit which will provide real-world experience in medical engineering practice. 
• To complement timetabled activities, you can expect to be provided with learning resources including videos and readings on a unit Canvas site that you can access flexibly to complete your learning in this unit. Success in this unit will require you to manage your time to ensure you have focused time each week (beyond timetabled activities).

At the beginning of the unit, you will be made aware of the ways in which you can ask questions or seek clarification from the Unit Coordinator and Tutors.

You are expected to:

• Engage with timetabled activities on campus and ask questions.
• Manage your time to engage with online resources outside of timetabled activities. These will be available on the unit Canvas site. You will receive regular email announcements regarding release of these resources.
• Engage with your peers in a learning community to practise problem solving and then work independently to complete your assessment tasks.
• Prepare for timetabled classes and activities and follow up on any work not completed.
• Complete assessment tasks by working consistently across the semester and meeting the due dates that are published via the unit Canvas site.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress during tutorials and discussions. Written comments will be provided on Report and Problem Solving Tasks.

Assessment

Overview

As you progress through this unit you will move between learning underlying scientific theory and concepts and using these in practical biomechanical applications. You will be developing your capability to solve problems by assessing biomechanical systems using appropriate theory and methods to predict system behaviour, which is a key capability for professional medical engineering practice. The assessment for the unit is designed to assess your learning against the unit learning outcomes and includes problem solving tasks, reporting on experimental work and a final exam, which will test your capability to diagnose and solve problems in biomechanics.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Problem Solving Task

Solve problems related to Biomechanics. This is a real-world context problem solving task in biomechanics where data obtained from a hospital-based gait laboratory will be analysed and the findings will be summarised in a report similar to a clinical report provided by a gait laboratory to orthopaedic surgeons and clinicians.  

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Report

Report on laboratory experiments embedded in the relevant theory.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Examination (written)

Demonstrate understanding of Biomechanics topics covered in a closed book theory examination.

“If campus access is restricted at the time of the central examination period/due date, an alternative, which may be a timed online assessment, will be offered. Individual students whose circumstances prevent their attendance on campus will be provided with an alternative assessment approach.”

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, By Nordin & Frankel (5th edition), 2021.

Risk Assessment Statement

You will be informed of any requirements pertaining to a safe workplace. In lectures, tutorials and such, the information will include location of fire exits and meeting points in case of fire. If you do not follow legitimate instructions or endanger the safety of others or do not act in accordance with the requirements of the Workplace Health and Safety Act, you will be required to leave the session.

You will be required to undertake practical sessions in the laboratory under the supervision of members in the teaching team and technical staff. Prior to entry to a laboratory space you must complete the Undergraduate Health, Safety and Environment Induction (annual completion requirement). You will be advised of requirements of safe and responsible behaviour and will be required to wear appropriate protective items (e.g. closed shoes or steel capped shoes, lab coat, and safety glasses). The unit’s Canvas site will provide you with a copy of the risk assessment and will provide you with details on how to perform the laboratory tasks safely.

Standards/Competencies

This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer

1: Knowledge and Skill Base

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Report, Examination (written)
2. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Report, Examination (written)

2: Engineering Application Ability

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task

3: Professional and Personal Attributes

1. 
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Report, Examination (written)

Course Learning Outcomes

EN01 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

1. Demonstrate coherent knowledge and skills of physical, mathematical, statistical, computer, and information sciences that are fundamental to professional engineering practice.
   Relates to: Problem Solving Task, Report, Examination (written)