BIOMENG 4101 - Biomechanical Engineering
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code BIOMENG 4101 Course Biomechanical Engineering Coordinating Unit Biomedical Engineering Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 6 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge MECH ENG 2002 Restrictions Bachelor of Engineering Assessment Assignments, laboratory experiments, project, final exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Claire Jones
Course Coordinator & Instructor:
Instructors: Mr Simon Thwaites, Dr Rami Aldirini
Tutor: Mr Darcy Thompson-Bagshaw, Mr Charlie Magarey, Ms Nikoo SoltanCourse Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
A week-to-week schedule is provided on MyUni. -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
What exactly was Grandma’s hip replaced with? How does my skeleton reinvent itself continuously? How are my car’s occupant safety features evaluated? What is an ACL and why does it rupture? Engineering biomechanics is involved in every movement we make, and is critical to many areas of medicine and safety. This course will explore the function, structure and mechanics of tissues in the musculoskeletal system (e.g. bone, tendon, cartilage, etc.), the function and design principles of orthopaedic implants and artificial joints, and the fundamentals of injury biomechanics. In each of these areas, the experimental, analytical and computational research methods used to study function, dysfunction and trauma will be discussed Learning opportunities will include hands-on laboratory activities, facility visits and demonstrations. Contemporary examples and case studies will be used to explore new and emerging orthopaedic and injury biomechanics technologies.
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate understanding of the biomechancal functions of the musculoskeletal system; 2 Explain the function of diathroidal joints, and the function, design, limitations and failure mechanisms of artifical joints; 3 Explain the mechanical principles of fracture and spinal fixation, and compare/contrast associated implant design and action; 4 Undertake fundamental calculations in the areas of tissue, orthopaedic and injury biomechanics; 5 Demonstrate understanding of musculosketal tissue (e.g. bone, ligament, tendon, cartilage, disc) function, structure, microstructure and mechanics, and the relationships between these; 6 Demonstrate understanding of the principles of injury biomechanics, and the function of standardised safety testing and injury criteria. 7 Evaluate the relevant literature and identify a clinical problem, and take the first steps towards formulating a research hypothesis and designing appropriate experimental methods/analytical models to test the hypothesis. 8 Critically analyse, interpret, evaluate and synthesise relevant literature and other information (e.g. equipment documentation, alternative information sources) to explain applications of biomechanics. 9 Investigate emerging new technologies in the biomechanics field; and, 10 Appreciate the multi-disciplinary collaborative nature of biomechanics research and practice.
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia . The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 B A C C C — C C C A C C C C C C University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-3 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
3-5 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4, 5 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
4, 5 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
4, 5 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
Reading lists and resources will be posted on MyUni.Online Learning
Course materials will be made available on MyUni, assessments will be submitted via MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Recorded modules will be used to convey topics and knowledge to the students with regular real-world examples of biomechanical challenges and solutions regularly discussed.
Tutorial sessions will be used to reinforce the concepts covered in lectures by challenging the students with more open-ended questions designed to deepen their understanding and encourage critical thinking skills. Solutions to these questions will be discussed during tutorials.
Workshops will be run to develop students skills in computational modelling relevant to biomechanics (e.g. musculoskeletal modelling and finite element analysis).Practical sessions will be used to demonstrate technologies employed in orthopaedic implants, equipment used to conduct experimental biomechanics, and vehicle safety testing.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The required time commitment from the beginning of semester to the end of the final exam is around 40 hours attendance at workshops and practicals, 40 hours of self directed learning, 40 hours completing assessments and 40 hours of revising course material and preparing for the exam.
Learning Activities Summary
- Basic analysis of muscle and joint loads
- Biomechanics (structure and function) of bone, ligament, tendon, cartilage and disc.
- Viscoelasticity of biological tissues
- Basic biomechanics of synovial joints
- Basic spine biomechanics
- Biomechanics and design of joint replacements
- Fracture fixation and healing, spinal fusion
- Injury biomechanics
- Introduction to computational approaches in biomechanics
Specific Course Requirements
Field trips and practical sessions will be undertaken at:
- Biomechanics Laboratory and/or Gait Laboratory at AHMS Building, 成人大片
- Centre for Automotive Safety Research (CASR), Kent Town
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Hurdle criteria Learning outcomes MyUni quizzes 1% per quiz, to a maximum of 10% total Individual Summative Weekly No Workshop assessed tasks 1% per task, to a maximum of 10% total Individual Summative Weekly No Injury Biomechanics Discovery Project - proposal 0% Pair/Group Formative ~ Week 8 No Injury Biomechanics Discovery Project - final report 16% Pair/Group Summative ~ Week 9 No Finite Element laboratory report 8% report, participation in workshop mandatory Individual Summative ~ Week 7/8 No OpenSim laboratory report 8% report, participation in workshop mandatory Individual Summative ~ Week 5 No Exam 48% Individual Summative Exam period No Total 100%
* Assessment weightings and due dates are subject to reasonable change. The final assessment details will be availale on MyUni.
Assessment Detail
Assessment Task Content covered myUni quizzes Weekly topics Workshop assessed tasks Weekly topics Workshop active participation Weekly topics Injury Biomechanics Discovery Project Injury criteria and experiments Finite Element laboratory report Total hip replacement and bone response OpenSim laboratory report Gait analysis and MSK modelling Final Exam All course content Submission
Submission of all assessed material is via MyUni, with the exception of some workshop in-class assessments which will be collected during the workshop.
Work submitted late attracts a penalty of 10% of the total mark per working day.
Refer to the MyUni course page for information regarding extension and accommodation requests. MACA Policy is adhered to in this course.Feedback on assessments will be provided, where appropriate, to the individual and to the whole class.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
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- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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