Module ENGI4647: Tissue Engineering 4

Department: Engineering

ENGI4647: Tissue Engineering 4

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• As specified in programme regulations.

Aims

• To introduce tissue engineering and regenerative medicine principles.
• To present the engineering methods contributing to the interdisciplinary area of tissue engineering.
• To explore the significant of microenvironmental factors in tissue development.
• To allow for identifying suitable tissue engineering approaches for specific applications.

Content

• Overview of various tissue engineering techniques and applications.
• The role of microenvironmental factors and mechanical forces in cell behaviour.
• Cell and tissue culture approaches in tissue engineering.
• Bioreactors for tissue engineering; fluid flow, mass, and heat transport phenomena.
• Biocompatible materials and cell-material interactions.
• Tissue scaffolds and fabrication techniques in tissue engineering.
• Delivery strategies in regenerative medicine.
• Mathematical and computational modelling in tissue engineering.

Learning Outcomes

• A knowledge of the status of tissue engineering, its challenges, limitations, and prospects.
• An understanding of the importance of the biophysical microenvironment in cell behaviour, and how this knowledge can be applied to tissue engineering.
• An understanding of the design principles for designing scaffolds and bioreactors.
• An appreciation of the challenges of regenerative medicine.

• Ability to apply fundamental engineering concepts in the field of tissue engineering.
• Capacity to quantify the key biophysical parameters pertaining to cells and tissues.
• Determination of the forces and transport phenomena in engineered biological systems.
• Awareness of future developments in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

• Capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.
• Mathematical and numerical skills appropriate for an engineer.
• Skills to combine interdisciplinary biological and engineering concepts relevant to the application of advanced tissue engineering problems.
• Develop skills to critically analyse the scientific literature of tissue engineering and formulate informed opinions that can be communicated effectively.

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

• The module content is delivered in lectures and is reinforced by self-learning sessions and formative problem sheets, equipping students with the required problem-solving capability.
• Students can make use of staff "office hours" to discuss any aspect of the module with teaching staff on a one-to-one basis. These are sign-up sessions available for one hour per week per lecture course.
• Students will be required to submit formative problem sheets throughout the academic year into the virtual learning environment to check their understanding as the course progresses.
• Students will be formed into study groups and will attend timetabled self-learning sessions (up to a maximum of two) during the Michaelmas and Epiphany terms.
• A benchmark test will take place at the start of the academic year. This will be used to gauge students understanding and direct them to further study as appropriate.
• A mock exam will take place in the Epiphany term. This will be used to provide students with an exam type experience in a formative setting and allow them to discuss their performance with a member of academic staff.
• Written timed examinations are appropriate because of the range of topics covered in this module and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and analysis of bioengineering scenarios independently.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

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