2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
MECH3245 Structure, Function and Repair of the Body
20 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr Jen Edwards
Email: J.H.Edwards@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Module replaces
MECH 3200 Structure and Function of the BodyThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
Provide Medical Engineers with a framework of knowledge on the structure and function of the human body, as well as how this informs different areas of Medical engineering. This module will cover basic concepts in human biology (including cells, tissues and organs) and discuss the key properties of these in terms of function in the whole organism. Students will then explore medical engineering approaches to repair the body following disease or injury.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:- Describe and locate anatomical positions and directional terms, planes, sections and cavities
- Demonstrate an awareness of the layers of structural organisation in the human body and how this relates to overall function
- Describe the gross anatomy and physiology of whole body systems (including the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems)
- Link biological properties to the requirements for repair or regenerative strategies in disease or injury from a medical engineering perspective
- Understand the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion in patient groups and treatment design
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Use appropriate terminology to describe anatomical positions, movements, planes, sections and cavities
2. Discuss layers of structural organisation of the human body, and have an awareness of how this relates to function
3. Describe whole body systems in terms of anatomy, physiology and critical function
4. Discuss benefits and limitations of engineering approaches to restoring function to bodily systems following disease or injury
5. Evaluate the appropriateness of treatment designs from an EDI perspective, taking into account the diverse nature of patients.
Upon successful completion of this module the following Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) learning outcome descriptors (3rd edition) are satisfied:
6. A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin medical engineering, and an understanding and know-how of the scientific principles of related disciplines, to enable appreciation of the scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and technologies (SM1m)
7. Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of study of medical engineering and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively (SM3m)
8. Understanding of concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively in medical engineering projects (SM6m)
9. Knowledge of characteristics of particular equipment, processes or products, with extensive knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components (P2m)
10. Understanding of the use of technical literature and other information sources (P4)
11. Apply their skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities (G1)
12. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader (G4)
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:
Ccritical thinking [Academic skills]
Problem solving & Analytical skills [Work ready skills]
Tissue dissection [Technical skills]Ethical [Sustainability skills]
Syllabus
Core topics
Basic biology
- Cells
- Extracellular matrix
- Tissue types
- Cells -> tissue - > organ -> organ system
Specific tissues
- Tendon/ligament (ordered matrix)
- Skin (disordered matrix)
- Heart (electrical tissues)
- Nerve (electrical tissues)
- Blood vessels (complex matrices)
- Bone (complex matrices)
- Intestines (cellular function)
- Kidneys (cellular filtration)
- Immune system (rejection and disease basics)
Linking medical engineering to anatomy
- Direct replacement (ACL repair)
- Indirect replacement (total joint replacements)
- Functional replacement (pacemaker, iron lung, colostomy bag)
- Biochemical replacement (dialysis)
- Temporary vs regenerative solutions (natural vs synthetic heart valves in children vs elderly; young OA patients)
- Patient compliance challenges (diabetic foot treatment)
Topics to introduce as extended knowledge
- Imaging intro (MRI, X-ray; to feed into Masters)
- Biomechanics (brief; to feed into Masters)
- Responsible innovation (e.g. when things go wrong; pelvic floor meshes, sunscreen etc)
- EDI in research (NOT researchers)
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Practical | 6 | 2.00 | 12.00 |
| Seminar | 44 | 1.00 | 44.00 |
| Independent online learning hours | 64.00 | ||
| Private study hours | 80.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 56.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
An online discussion board will be monitored. Any clarifications which are needed will be brought into seminar sessions.Feedback will be requested in seminar sessions on specific elements, as well as the use of in class polls/quizzes to see how well the material is being understood.
Seminars will cover topics relevant to assessment, such as report preparation, dissection preparation, critical evaluation, with feedback given on student led discussions and activities in session.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Assignment | Discussive report : Limitations of animal models of human anatomy; importance of EDI in research | 20.00 |
| Assignment | Report: Computational modelling report (methods, results and discussion) | 25.00 |
| Assignment | Problem sheet: Heart dissection with observational worksheet | 15.00 |
| Assignment | Case study: Ent journey: treatment limitations | 40.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
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 moduleLast updated: 29/04/2024 16:16:42
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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