| CODE | PHB5404 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Fundamentals in Biomedical Engineering for Engineers | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 10 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Physiology and Biochemistry | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit provides the foundation in Anatomy, Physiology, Biology and basic Chemistry to students graduated in Engineering, who will be reading for M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering – Biomechanics. This course will serve to provide students with the scientific principles and an appreciation of living systems on which later study-units within the MSc will be built. The basic knowledge of: Chemistry - Chemical fundamentals including atomic structure, mass, ions,compounds chemical bonds, chemical nomenclature, molecules, the mole concept, chemical equations, stoichiometry, limiting reactants and gases. The Periodic Table and Atomic Structure including electron configurations and periodic trends in atomic properties. Chemical bonding - ionic and covalent bonds, electronegativity and bond polarity, Lewis structures and shapes of molecules. Chemical equilibria: the equilibrium constants, ionisation of water, acids, bases, pH, electrolytes, buffers and solubility. Oxidation and reduction; balancing redox reactions, electrophoresis and electrolysis. An introduction to organic chemistry and functional groups, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, amines, carbonyl compounds, esters, amides, structure of glucose, fructose, fats and lipids; proteins. Basic chemical reactions in organic chemistry: oxidation of alcohols into carboxylic acids, saponification, polymerisation of unsaturated C=C. Inorganic chemistry with emphasis on the transition metal elements Fe,Ti, Hg, Au, Ce, Zn, Co, V. Biology & Physiology - Physical characteristics of the heart, circulatory and lymphatic systems, including innate and acquired immunity. Structure, location and function of the organs of the respiratory system, digestive system, osmo-regulation with reference to buffer systems and control of electrolytes, reproductive systems, nervous system and endocrine system. Anatomy - The heart and vascular system; the shoulder girdle; the arm and elbow; the forearm and wrist; the hand; the back; the pelvis and hip; the thigh and knee; the foot; pulses and reflexes in the limbs; nerve injuries in the limbs; practical session upper limb and lower limb; basic histology of muscle and bone. Study-unit Aims: This study-unit covers the basic components of a necessary knowledge selected for students, to enrich and harmonize the knowledge level of biomedical engineering foundations with respect to the previous qualifications. The engineering students will learn the basics of chemistry, biology, anatomy, and physiology that forms the background for further understanding and ability to apply engineering principles. This unit aims to introduce the scientific approach and partly remove the boundaries between the two different fields of life science and engineering that use as well a 'different language'. Within these study-units, all students will learn their missing foundation science for the biomedical engineering, prior to start of developing the further knowledge from both specific fields - medical and engineering. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: Learning outcomes for Chemistry: Draw simple atomic structures, electron arrangements; relate how electron arrangements influence the valence; outline the periodicity in element properties with an emphasis on the transition metals; relate using examples how molecules and compounds are defined by their chemical bonding; relate how interactive forces & structures influence the properties of materials (h bonds, van der Waals etc); describe the chemistry of elements/materials that are of relevance to medicine and biomedical engineering including titanium, mercury, gold, palladium, cerium, iron, zinc, calcium salts and enamel, including an understanding of the toxicity of materials such as cobalt and vanadium. Learning Outcomes for Anatomy: Appreciate the anatomy of the cell and it's subcomponents and functions; able to identify different bones, their function within the human body; make distinction between joints; appreciate the function of muscles. Learning Outcomes for Physiology/Biology: Describe the physical characteristics of blood and blood cells; explain the importance of bone marrow transplants; describe mechanisms relating to homeostasis; describe the location, structure and functioning of the heart; explain how an action potential arises and describe the electrical events of a normal electrocardiogram; describe factors affecting stroke volume; contrast the structure and function of blood vessels; explain how circulation is controlled; list the components, functions and organization of the lymphatic system, including innate and acquired immunity; describe the structure, location and function of the organs of the respiratory system; describe the organs, and processes associated with the digestive system; describe the structure, function and processes occurring in the kidney and liver; describe the processes controlling osmo-regulation with reference to buffer systems and control of electrolytes; describe the structure, function of reproductive systems; describe the organisation, functions and components of the nervous system; describe the components of the endocrine system as well as the mechanisms of hormone control; explain how cases of homeostatic disorders/imbalances arise for each of the organ systems covered in this study-unit; describe using examples how artificial organs, replacements of body parts are currently used; understand the major chemical elements, and processes; will be able to understand the processes of cell division, death and differentiation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: a. Communicate effectively utilising the correct choice of biological and medical terminology; b. Identify the correct systems and draw on the appropriate knowledge during the design, repair, maintenance and safety evaluation of equipment and devices, as well as when analysing the needs of patients. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: 1. Tortora G and Derrickson B. (2014) Principles of Anatomy and Physiology Maintenance and Continuity of the Human Body, Volumes 1 and 2, (5th Ed.) Wiley International 2. Leonard W. Fine, Herbert Beall, John Stuehr, (2000), Chemistry for Scientists and Engineering, (1st ed.), Saunders College Publishing |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Independent Study and Practical | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Daniel Vella Marion Zammit Mangion |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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