Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2007-2008 (archived)

Module ENGI4261: BIOENGINEERING AND CONTROL

Department: Engineering

ENGI4261: BIOENGINEERING AND CONTROL

Type	Tied	Level	4	Credits	20	Availability	Available in 2007/08	Module Cap	None.	Location	Durham

Tied to	H100
Tied to	H221
Tied to

Prerequisites

(ENGI3391 Control and Signal Processing; ENGI3421 Management and Manufacture; ENGI3371 Electrical Engineering; ENGI3291 Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics; ENGI3351 Engineering Design; AND ENGI3411 Applied Mechanics OR ENGI3361 Electronics) OR (MEng(Overseas))

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

This module is for students intending to fulfil the requirements of the M.Eng. degree programmes in General Engineering (H100).
To explain how digital controllers can be designed in the s-plane and the z-plane.
To investigate state-space modelling and state space design methods.
To introduce methods for the quantification of human motion and the evaluation of anatomical joints.
To introduce and familiarise students with technologies for restoration of biomechanical integrity.

Content

Digital control systems and the design of digital controllers;
State variable methods;
Design of state variable feedback regulators and controllers;
State observers;
Functional anatomy and body dynamics;
Functional adaptation of bone;
Mechanics of human body including force measurements and analysis;
Struture, function and mechanical properties of hard and soft tissues;
Tribology of natural and artificial joints;
Bimaterials including degradation and biocompatibility, and future trends.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

An appreciation and technical understanding of advanced control systems and their effects on the performance of engineering systems.
A knowledge and understanding of the design of digital control systems and their practical implementation.
A knowledge and understanding of the design of state variable control systems.
An ability to describe the basic structure and function of bone, muscle, articular cartilage and passive connective soft tissues.
A knowledge and understanding of natural joints and prostheses.
A knowledge and understanding of nature hard and soft tissues and biomaterials.
A knowledge of acquisition methods for biomechanical data.

Subject-specific Skills:

An awareness of current technology, analysis methods and industrial practises along with the ability to apply those methods in novel situations.
To use effectively specialised, advanced computational tools and packages for the analysis of control systems.
An ability to use basic mechanical models for soft tissues.
An ability to analyse loading through joints.
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised and advanced technical and professional skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review and an ability to communicate the results of their own work effectively.

Key Skills:

Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
Highly specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
Highly specialised use of information technology (IT) relevant to the engineering profession.
Mathematics relevant to the application of advanced engineering concepts.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

The courses in Control and Bioengineering are covered in lectures, and are reinforced by seminars and by problem sheets, leading to the required problem solving capability.
Students are able to make use of staff 'Tutorial Hours' to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis.
Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the wide range of analytical, in-depth material covered in this module and to demonstrate the ability to solve advanced problems independently.
The Control Examination uses industrial standard control system design and analysis software and is appropriate as students at this level must be able to design appropriate control systems rather than just be familiar with the mechanics of the process.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total/Hours
Lectures	38	2 per week	1 Hour	38
Seminars	2	2 per week ( week 20 )	1 Hour	2
Tutorials	30	2 per week	up to 1 hour	45
Preparation and Reading				130
Total				215

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Bioengineering	2 hours	50%	No
Control	2 hours	50%	No

Formative Assessment:

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University