MEEN40630 Biomaterials

Academic Year 2020/2021

At the end of this module, it is anticipated that students will have obtained a detailed understanding of the composition and properties of the major classes of biomaterial used in medical and dental devices. The required functionality for a range of synthetic implantable biomaterials and how this relates to material choice for specific applications will also be covered, as will the most common tissue and blood interactions with implanted biomaterials, and issues associated with the use of surface modification methods to enhance the biocompatibility of materials.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, the student will be able to:

- Describe the use of the major classes of materials including metals, ceramics, polymers and composites used in implantable biomedical devices.
- Select an appropriate material for initial design of a biomedical device.
- Understand biocompatability issues relating to implanted materials.
- Specify suitable methods for basic microstructural and physico-chemical analysis of biomaterials.

Indicative Module Content:

Standard definitions of biomaterials
Biomaterials mechanical performance
Introduction to materials classes: i.e. Ceramics metals polymers etc.
General and exemplar metals: Stainless steel, Titanium alloys, Cobalt chrome alloys, Nitinol
General and exemplar structural ceramics: Alumina, Zirconia
General and exemplar bioactive ceramics: Calcium Phosphates, Glass-ceramics
General and exemplar polymeric biomaterials
Dental biomaterials
Biocompatibility: Standard responses, wound healing and repair
Application areas as necessary: Orthopaedic, Injectables CaP, Dental, Cardiovascular, Neural, Opthalmic, Tissue engineering
Materials processing as necessary
Materials analysis techniques as necessary



Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

32
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

72
Total

128
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Most content is delivered as lectures. There are two assignments that require students to undertake a critical analysis of an important topic in biomaterials and these topics may be related to, but not directly concerned with material covered in lectures. Therefore, these assignments constitute a form of self-directed learning. While one of these assignments is undertaken on an individual basis, the other is undertaken as a small group of 4-6 students.

Where students have difficulty with basic materials science concepts due to their past academic history, tutorials are provided to facilitate understanding and further reading. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Biomaterials (EEME40490)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Written assignments Throughout the Trimester n/a Graded No

40
Examination: End-of-semester examination 2 hour End of Trimester Exam No Graded No

60

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Letter grades and brief comments related to the two written assignments will be provided to students within three weeks of submission deadlines.