2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

MECH5650M Biotribology

15 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Dr C L Brockett
Email: C.L.Brockett@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

Either an undergraduate degree in a physical, biological science or one of the cognate disciplines (min 2.2) or a medical degree or allied subject with a background in orthopaedics.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
- Recognise key factors that influence tribology in a biological system
- Demonstrate an understanding of biotribology applied to a range of medical devices
- Demonstrate an awareness of key methodologies for assessing the biotribology of a system
- Undertake contact mechanics analysis of biomechanical systems
- Undertake a critical evaluation of the literature associated with biotribology in a specific area
- Undertake a design failure modes and effects analysis for a biotribological system

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will:
- Understand the concept of biotribology
- Develop an understanding of the influence of material interfaces on the performance of medical devices;
- Understand the role of tribology in the degeneration of natural tissues;
- Understand how design of medical devices can be optimised to mitigate tribological failure

Skills outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate literature associated with biomechanics
- Demonstrate the biotribological considerations required for new implant design
- Undertake contact mechanics calculations and predict lubrication regimes for different implants
- Conduct a design failure modes and effects analysis (DFMEA) on a simple medical device

Syllabus

This module will acquaint students with biomechanics and will cover:
- Biomechanics
- Surfaces and interfaces
- Biotribology of engineering materials
- Biotribocorrosion
- The human body as a tribological environment
- Soft tribology (e.g. biological tissue, cartilage, skin)
- Design considerations for medical devices

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Tutorial	5	1.00	5.00
Independent online learning hours			70.00
Private study hours			70.00
Total Contact hours			10.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			150.00

Private study

Independent online learning
- Watching, reading and completing the online work units: 70 hours

Private study
- Reading of supporting materials 20 hours
- Preparation and completion of summative assignments 50 hours

This distance module is taught using a series of student centred work units and interactive electronic material, supplemented by subject specific lectures and tutorials which will be made available to distance learning/part time students through lecture capture

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Email between student and module leader/teaching staff
VLE based discussion board
Formative online MCQ at completion of each unit
3 assignments spread throughout module

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Source Analysis	Annotated Bibliography - Influence of Biomechanics on Biotribology	30.00
Case Study	Problem based case study	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		60.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Unseen exam	1 hr 30 mins	40.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		40.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 26/04/2017

Disclaimer

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