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MECH5907: Orthopaedic and Surgical Engineering (2018 - Semester 2)

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Unit: MECH5907: Orthopaedic and Surgical Engineering (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Prof Suaning, Gregg
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: (AMME2302 OR AMME9302 OR AMME1362) AND (MECH2901 OR AMME9901) AND (MECH3921 OR AMME5921).
Prohibitions: MECH4902.
Brief Handbook Description: The aims and objectives of the UoS are: 1.To introduce the student to the details and practice of orthopaedic engineering; 2.To give students an overview of the diverse knowledge necessary for the design and evaluation of implants used in orthopaedic surgery; 3.To enable students to learn the language and concepts necessary for interaction with orthopaedic surgeons and the orthopaedic implant industry; 4.To introduce the student to the details and practice of other engineering applications in surgery, particularly in the cardiovascular realm.
Assumed Knowledge: 1.Basic concepts in engineering mechanics – statics, dynamics, and solid mechanics. 2.Basic concepts in materials science, specifically with regard to types of materials and the relation between properties and microstructure. 3.A basic understanding of human biology and anatomy.
Lecturer/s: A/Prof Roger, Greg
Timetable: MECH5907 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Lecture 3.00 1 13
2 Independent Study 13

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Introduction to the details and practice of orthopaedic engineering. Introduction to the details and practice of other engineering applications in surgery, particularly in the cardiovascular realm. Learning the language and concepts necessary for interaction with orthopaedic surgeons and the orthopaedic implant industry. Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3)
Gain an overview of the diverse knowledge necessary for the design and evaluation of implants used in orthopaedic surgery. Information Seeking (Level 3)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3)
1. Be acquainted with the physical properties of human bones and joints.
2. Understand how the skeleton functions as an engineering structure.
3. Learn the physical characteristics of the materials from which the musculoskeletal system is fabricated and be able to adapt basic engineering principles to the design and fabrication of prosthetic joints or to other devices used for replacement and repair of bones and joints.
Information Seeking (Level 3)
4. Ability to do in depth literature review to under pin a design project.
Professional Conduct (Level 3)
5. Have an understanding of the role played by engineering technology in surgery.
Communication (Level 4)
6. Learn the language or orthopaedics and be able to present finding to a peer group at an advanced level.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Presentation/Seminar* No 40.00 Week 8 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
2 Report* No 40.00 Week 11 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
3 Quizzes No 20.00 Multiple Weeks 1, 2, 3, 5,
Assessment Description: Presentation/Seminar: A class presentation, on a topic of choice chosen at start of semester.

Report: An in-depth literature review on a topic of choice chosen at start of semester.

Class Quizzes. 4 quizzes during the semester (dates to be advised in class)

* Students awarded special consideration must complete these assessments at a time to be negotiated by the unit coordinator.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Note on Resources: Lecturer will advise in class.

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 1 Course overview, anatomy review, bone and joints.
Week 2 Principles of artificial joint replacement, specifics of knee and hip implants.
Week 3 Implant design and manufacturing.
Week 4 Design Control and Regulatory aspects of Orthopaedic Innovation.
Week 5 Statics, principles of biocompatibility, biomaterials, metals, polymers, ceramics.
Week 6 Joint Loads, muscles and gait analysis. Fixation with bone cement, biological fixation, implant stiffness, stress shielding, bone remodeling.
Week 7 Casting Technologies in Orthopaedics.
Week 8 Class Presentations.
Assessment Due: Presentation/Seminar*
Week 9 Ceramics in Orthopaedics, Coatings – DLC and HA
Week 10 FEA in Orthopaedics
Week 11 Engineering and cardiovascular surgery
Assessment Due: Report*
Week 12 Engineering in other areas of surgery.
Week 13 Review of course, discussion of Class Presentations and Assignments.

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered
Biomedical Engineering / Law 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Arts 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Commerce 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Medical Science 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering / Science 2013, 2014
Biomedical Engineering (mid-year) 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Arts (2022 and earlier) 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Commerce 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical /Science 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Biomedical / Science (Health) 2018
Biomedical / Law 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Master of Engineering (2024 and earlier) 2017, 2018
Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical) 2017, 2018

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 3) Yes 52%
Information Seeking (Level 3) Yes 12%
Professional Conduct (Level 3) No 22%
Communication (Level 4) No 14%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.