Course Descriptions

Descriptions of all courses (subjects) currently offered are presented in alphanumeric order. For academic advice regarding a particular course, consult the contact person for the course as listed. The duration of all lecture courses is 12 weeks.

BIOM1010
Engineering in Medicine and Biology

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 20-Jul-09)

This course introduces the field of biomedical engineering, where the principles of engineering are used to solve problems in medicine and biology. Topics covered include a basic introduction to biological systems, the engineering approach to biolgical systems and the application of basic engineering concepts to solving biomedical problems, with examples from cutting-edge technologies including the artificial heart, bionic eye, magnetic resonance imaging and tissue engineering.

BIOM9027
Medical Imaging

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 08-Jul-09)

Fundamentals of producing a medical image, image collection techniques, image reconstruction algorithms. Detailed examination of the four main areas of medical imaging: Nuclear Medicine and Positron Emission Tomography, Ultrasound, Diagnostic Radiology, Magnetic Resonance. Clinical application of each area.

BIOM9060
Biomedical Systems Analysis

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 20-Jul-09)

Analysis of compartmental systems in biology and medicine. Applications include pharmacology, physiology and nuclear medicine. Topics include the mathematics of linear compartmental systems, non-linear systems, tracer methods, parameter estimation by fitting models to data, the optimum design of experiments, and methods of control.

BIOM9311
Mass Transfer in Medicine

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 02-Mar-09)

Mass transfer in the living organism and in extracorporeal medical devices. Principles of diffusion and convection. Models of gas transfer in the lung. Transfer of solutes at the capillary level. Haemodialysis, haemofiltration, plasma filtration and blood oxygenators. Transfer across the peritoneal membrane-dialysis or drug delivery. Drug delivery across the skin.

BIOM9332
Biocompatibility

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Course outline: download (updated 02-Mar-09)

Interaction of biological fluids and cells with foreign surfaces, in vitro tests to assess biocompatibility and thrombogenicity, current status of biocompatible materials as applied to extracorporeal systems, surgical implants and prosthetic devices.

BIOM9333
Cellular and Tissue Engineering

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 18-Dec-08)

Outlines concepts underlying development of cell-based products and aims to give students a theoretical and practical understanding of the tools available for producing such 'devices' as well as the biological, physical and chemical constraints of these systems. Includes introductory cell biology and biochemistry, cellular mechanics, mass transfer in cells and tissue, analysis of cell and tissue functions, regulatory requirements for biological products and tissue engineering applications. Laboratory classes will allow students to gain practical experience with cell and scaffold manipulations.

BIOM9410
Regulatory Requirements for Biomedical Technology

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 10-Jul-09)

The regulatory requirements of medical devices in Australia, Japan, North America and Europe will be reviewed. ISO and Australian standards, Quality Systems and accepted practices for the conduct of laboratory and clinical studies and medical device manufacturing will be outlined. Case studies of medical device registration will be presented.

BIOM9420
Clinical Laboratory Science

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 18-Jul-09)

The technologies, tests and operation of a variety of clinical laboratories (biochemistry, haematology, immunology, histology). Engineering solutions to the automation of chemical and biochemical assays, design and development of instrumentation, limitations of automated systems. Data recording, tracking and validation. Routes to innovation in a clinical laboratory.

BIOM9432
Chemistry and Physics of Synthetic and Biological Polymers (Introductory Polymer Chemistry)

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 18-Jul-09)

This course outlines the chemistry and physics of synthetic and natural polymers. It is an introductory level offering that covers polymerisation, synthesis of branched macromolecules and networks and polymer behaviour in solution and solid state. It also covers biological polymers. This includes synthesis and characterisation of biological polymers using proteins, polysaccharides and DNA as examples. Laboratory classes will be held to allow practical application of the theories learned in the course.

BIOM9450
Clinical Information Systems

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 10-Jul-08)

Healthcare information and communications, including telemedicine, medical informatics, networks and privacy. Data collection, medical coding and classification. Standards for medical data interchange. Aspects of database design, client/server topologies.

BIOM9510
Introductory Biomechanics

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 04-Mar-09)

The principles of the mechanics of solid bodies, force systems, kinematics and kinetics of rigid bodies, stress-strain relationships, stress analysis of simple elements application to musculoskeletal system.

BIOM9541
Mechanics of the Human Body

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 25-Jul-08)

The course covers in depth methods used in the analysis of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. Methods to analyse body segment and joint kinematics, joint kinetics, work and power, muscle forces and associated energy cost will be covered. Applications of biomechanics in clinical, occupational and recreational areas will be presented.

This is a self-study course with weekly tutorial sessions. Each week a brief review of a topic will be presented, issues discussed and problems analysed. Students are also required to prepare and make three short presentations (5-10 minutes) on selected topics.

Biomechanical modelling will be undertaken primarily using OxfordMetrics’ Body Builder software. The software is available on Wednesday evenings and during the week in the Biomechanics and Gait Laboratory.

BIOM9551
Biomechanics of Physical Rehabilitation

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 25-Feb-08)

The application of biomechanics principles to the areas of performance testing and assessment, physical therapy, design of rehabilitation equipment, design of internal and external prostheses and orthoses.

BIOM9561
Mechanical Properties of Biomaterials

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 13-Jul-09)

The physical properties of materials having significance to biomedical engineering; human tissues; skin; soft tissues; bone; metals; polymers and ceramics. The effects of degradation and corrosion.

BIOM9621
Biological Signal Analysis

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 03-Mar-09)

Use of digital computers to extract information from biological signals. Signal processing using filtering, averaging, curve-fitting and related techniques, and analysis using model simulations, correlation, spectral analysis etc.

BIOM9640
Biomedical Instrumentation

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 09-Mar-09)

This course serves as an introduction to physiological measurement of bioelectric phenomena and neurostimulation. This course deals primarily with gaining an understanding of the physical principles which govern the measurement of a biological variable or system, by a transducer which converts the variable into an electrical signal. By the end of the course you should understand various measurement devices and approaches including the underlying biological process that generates the quantity to be measured or controlled. The basic medical instrumentation used clinically to perform these functions is also examined. This course has a focus on bioelectric phenomena, bioelectrodes, medical electronics and neurostimulation. The course includes a revision of DC and AC circuit theory, hands-on practice in the use and testing of medical transducers and electromedical equipment in common use in hospitals and research laboratories to make measurements of biomedical variables of clinical significance.

BIOM9650
BioSensors and Transducers

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 25-Jun-09)

This course serves as an introduction to physiological measurement using biosensors and transducers. This course deals primarily with gaining an understanding of the physical principles which govern the measurement of a biological variable or system, by a transducer which converts the variable into an electrical signal. By the end of the course you should understand various measurement devices and approaches including the underlying biological process that generates the quantity to be measured or controlled. The basic biosensors and transducers used to measure pressure, flow, volume and biochemical sensing are examined along with aspects of imaging instrumentation.

BIOM9660
Implantable Bionics

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 18-Aug-09)

This course serves as an introduction to the engineering issues related to implantable bionics for therapeutic electrical stimulation of neural and muscle tissue. It deals primarily with gaining an understanding of the requirements (electrical, mechanical, chemical, etc.) of implantable neurostimulators. During the course, an illustrative example of a medical device (e.g. a cochlear implant) will be designed, and extensive practical tasks will be conducted by small groups of students to reinforce the subject matter presented in the lectures and tutorials. The example will be comprised of a single, or multi-channel neurostimulation circuit, an electrode array, and a package that can protect the circuitry from corrosive biological fluids.

BIOM9701
Dynamics of the Cardiovascular System

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 05-Feb-09)

Structure of the heart; organisation of the mammalian vasculature; mechanical, electrical and metabolic aspects of cardiac pumping; the solid and fluid mechanics of blood vessels; rheology of blood.

BIOM9711
Modelling Organs, Tissues and Devices

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 05-Feb-09)

Computer modelling of complex physiological systems and their interaction with medical devices is becoming increasingly important in modern medical device design. This course provides a practical overview of computational modelling in bioengineering, focusing on a range of applications including electrical stimulation of neural and cardiac tissues, implantable drug delivery, cancer therapy, biomechanics, blood flow, and 3D surface techniques for realistic modelling and visualisation of organs, tissues and devices.

BIOM9914
Masters Project

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 05-Jun-09)

The Masters Project allows coursework students to experience research training either within the School or with collaborating institutions. Candidates should complete the application form (downloaded from the Course outline link above) in consultation with a GSBmE supervisor who will act as their supervisor. A second co-supervisor/assessor must also be nominated on this application. This research work can be conducted over 1 or 2 semesters (enrol in BIOM9020/9021 instead) and contributes 12 units of credit to your program. Performance is assessed on the basis of a report in the format of either a thesis or a publication ready research paper. Other assessment tasks may apply so please discuss current requirements with your GSBmE supervisor.

GENE4001
Introduction to Biomedical Engineering

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 28-Feb-08)

GSOE9712
Engineering Statistics and Experiment Design

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 20-Jul-09)

This course covers selected topics in statistics that are of relevance for engineers. Topics include a brief review of basic statistical concepts and methods (random variables, statistical models and hypothesis tests); linear models (analysis of variance and regression); the design of efficient experiments, including factorial experiments; models for discrete data and failure-time data; and the effective display of data using tables and graphs.

SESC9451
Experimental Biomechanics

For timetable and contact information see Class Details

Course outline: download (updated 25-Jul-08)

This course commences with 4 lectures on experimental methods, instrumentation, optical measurement and data analysis methods in biomechanics. The student then undertakes a series of structured experiments in the areas of quantitative gait and human movement analysis, electromyography and impact biomechanics. The experiments are conducted in the biomechanics and gait laboratory at UNSW. Laboratory sessions are complemented by additional lectures