Why study Biomechanical Engineering?

Biomechanical engineering enables you to link classical theory of mechanics to the medical world around you. It is a growing and exciting area of research, both in academia and industry.

Mechanical modelling and characterisation enables us to understand, for example:

  • artificial-heart-valve-development-and-testing-Dr-Gaetano-BurresciHow blood flows in the body and delivers drugs to tissues
  • How implants can be used to restore healthy blood flow in the heart
  • How bioreactors can help grow replacement tissue in the laboratory
  • How prostheses can be designed to replace bone tissue and enable patients to walk again

What will you learn?

This course brings together classical theories of fluid and solid mechanics, with material characterisation. You will learn how these are applied to challenging real-world medical problems facing the world today.

Modules

Module 1 (Year 2, Term 2) – Fundamentals of Biomechanics

In this module you will:

  • Discover how fundamental, physical theories relate to how biological materials (like blood, bone and soft tissues) behave
  • Relate these theories to the design and evaluation of biomechanical prostheses and devices, such as tissue engineering bioreactors
  • Get hands-on experience of characterising and testing biological fluids and materials

Module Outline – Fundamentals of Biomechanics

Module 2 (Year 3, Term 1) – Biofluid Mechanics

This module will allow you to:

  • cell-electrospinning-of-functional-fibres-web-Dr-Suwan-jayasingheUnderstand how to relate fundamental theory of fluid flows to biological applications, such as blood flow and nutrient delivery problems
  • Discover how blood flows in the largest vessels in the heart, and how this differs from flows through the networks of the smallest vessels, capillaries
  • Use information on fluid flow and nutrient delivery to inform design of cardiovascular implants, and bioreactors for growing tissues

Module Outline – Biofluid Mechanics

Module 3 (Year 3, Term 2) – Solid Biomechanics

In this module you will:

  • Use classical solid mechanics theory to identify the important relationships between material properties and structural design for biomechanical applications
  • Identify the link between geometry and stress, and use it to explore design of prostheses and implants
  • Calculate deformations of soft tissues, bones and implants comprised of biomaterials

Module Outline – Solid Biomechanics

Exclusions

This minor cannot be chosen by those on the Biomedical Engineering Programme.

Lead Academic

Dr Rebecca Shipley
Dept Mechanical Engineering
Email: ku.ca1540031869.lcu@1540031869yelpi1540031869hs.ac1540031869ceber1540031869

Choose your IEP Minor

Please select your preferred minor via the IEP Minors Moodle Poll