Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	Laboratory Assessment Biomaterials
School	Institute of Clinical Sciences
Department	Dentistry
Module Code	02 00457
Module Lead	Prof W Palin, Drs Mel Grant, Gosia Wiench and Gowsh Poolo
Level	Honours Level
Credits	10
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	Students will normally have completed years 1 and 2 of BJ95
Contact Hours	Lecture-13 hours Tutorial-3 hours Practical Classes and workshops-9 hours Guided independent study-75 hours Total: 100 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module aims to generate an understanding of which laboratory techniques are useful for the development and investigation of biomaterials in particular applications, and to provide an insight into the process of publication of scientific work and the reviewing process.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student should be able to: Classify and understand the differences in properties between the bulk and surface of a material; Describe and discuss how surface topography may be measured or assessed; Describe how surface topography may affect different cell; Describe what surface free energy is, how surface free energy may be measured or calculated; Demonstrate an understanding of the effects of surface free energy on subsequent protein adsorption and cell responses; Demonstrate an understanding of protein adsorption to surfaces, its dynamic nature, how it is examined in the lab and the associated problems with both in situ and desorption studies; Carry out critical reviews of scientific papers submitted for publication and understand the reviewing and process of publishing scientific work; Describe and discuss the factors involved in determining the thrombogenicity of a material; Identify the basis for evaluating the following properties of biomaterials and to critically discuss the value of the results obtained: compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, cyclic fatigue strength, toughness, elastic modulus, bond strength; Discuss the various factors that can lead to the need to revise a modular based hip prosthesis.
Assessment	00457-01 : Examination : Exam (Centrally Timetabled) - Written Unseen (50%) 00457-05 : Practical surface free energy : Coursework (25%) 00457-06 : Practical (Cell adhesion) : Coursework (25%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 25% Surface Free Energy Practical Report 25 % Cell Adhesion Practical Report If lab access is not possible due to restrictions, both practicals will be replaced by demonstrations where appropriate and provision of data for students to analyse 50% Written 90 minute examination consisting of 3 out of 4 SAQ and an essay question. Reassessment: The pass mark for the module is 40%. Students who fail to achieve the minimum of 35% in the exam and/or the coursework must repeat the failed component(s). Reassessment within the supplementary period will either be a resit (new) exam or in the case of coursework, a new report will have to be written and submitted (for each component failed).
Other	None
Reading List	B. Ratner, Elsevier (ed), Surface Characterization of Biomaterials; B. Ratner, A. Hoffman, F. Schoen & J. Lemons (eds.), Biomaterials Science (Academic press, chs.1, 3 and 5.); http://www.lrsm.upenn.edu/~pperalta/fatigue.html#Contents: Some simple fatigue concepts;