Programme And Module Handbook
 
Course Details in 2026/27 Session


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Module Title LM Bio-medical and Micro Engineering
SchoolSchool of Engineering
Department Mechanical Engineering
Module Code 04 33350
Module Lead Professor Duncan Shepherd
Level Masters Level
Credits 20
Semester Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions None
Contact Hours Lecture-22 hours
Tutorial-22 hours
Guided independent study-156 hours
Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description The aim of the module is to give an overview of how mechanical engineering can be applied to medicine and micro engineering.

The following topics will be used to illustrate how mechanical engineers can apply their skills and knowledge in medicine:

Physiological systems

Biological systems & structures

Bone & connective tissues

Failure of connective tissues

Biomechanics

Computational methods

Model validation

Medical Device Design

Fracture fixation

Joint replacement

Tribology of joints

Pre-clinical testing.

The following topics will be used to illustrate how mechanical engineers can apply their skills and knowledge in micro engineering, particularly looking at manufacturing processes developed in the micro and nanofabrication industry:

micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS)

crystallography

material deposition

photo lithography

advanced lithography techniques

etching

micro mechanics,


microelectronics

design of applications such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, biosensors and optomechanical chemical systems.
Learning Outcomes By the end of the module students should be able to:
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of biological systems and structures and how engineering can be used to investigate their mechanical properties and failure modes.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive awareness of a range of biomaterials and be able to select an appropriate material for a medical device.
  • Use fundamental engineering principles to investigate the forces within human joints.
  • Demonstrate a wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of the design process for medical devices and critically analyse the methodologies used for validation and verification.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the legal requirements for medical devices, including health and safety and risk analysis.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the science of crystallography in relation to the construction of MEMS components and the importance of crystal structures in MEMS fabrication.
  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the deposition processes and various types of deposition used for microsystems fabrication.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the three types of solids (amorphous, polycrystalline, and crystalline).
  • Identify, classify and critically assess the performance of crystal orientation based on Miller indices.
Assessment 33350-01 : Module Mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions Assessment:

In-semester assessment:
Group presentation (20%)

3 hour written unseen examination (80%),

Reassessment:

3 hour written unseen examination
Other
Reading List