Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Florida
Spring 2012
Catalog Description: This course will deal with the implementation of finite element and related methods, drawing examples from Biomedical Engineering. Therefore the course will also cover method of incorporating freeform biological shapes in computational models such as shape importation and image segmentation. The course will cover the basics of Finite Element methods, such as shape functions and sparse matrix methods, giving students enough background to allow them to intelligently operate complex commercial software or to construct their own models.
Students will also be exposed to methods such as finite difference, boundary element and time domain modeling, adaptive meshing and other large scale modeling techniques. A substantial portion of the course will involve students developing and solving their own models.
Credits: 03
Prerequisites:
A knowledge of calculus and basic aspects of differential equations is required. Familiarity with Matlab is assumed.
Course Objectives:
This course will present methods for constructing, understanding and interpreting finite element models and methods, with an emphasis on applications to biological tissues. Students will learn to construct their own code and use a commercial finite element package to complete their coursework. Students will learn how to efficiently and appropriately model physical phenomena relevant to their research.
Instructor
Rosalind Sadleir, Ph.D. ( sadleir@ufl.edu
)
BMS Building J387 (352) 273-9326
Office hours: by appointment (send email via Sakai)
Teaching Assistant
None.
Class Meetings: MWF 8 th period (3:00 – 3:50 pm)
Location: MAE-A 327
Class Homepage: http://lss.at.ufl.edu (login to Sakai)
Required textbook:
There is no required textbook for this course. Sections of certain textbooks will be set as recommended reading.
Course Outline:
• Introduction to partial differential equations
• Galerkin Equations and the Finite Element Method
• Finite Difference and Boundary Element Methods
• Boundary conditions
• Model Meshing
• System Assembly and Sparse Matrix Techniques
• Solution Methods
• Error Analysis
• Model Construction and CAD
• Biological Shape Integration and Segmentation

Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Florida
• Time Dependent simulations and Adaptive Meshing
• Parallel Implementations
Attendance and Expectations:
Attendance is required. Participation in class is required.
Grade Determination:
34% Homework
33% Midterm
33% Final
Late policy for homework: 20% deducted per day, unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.
All work is individual; students are encouraged to work together on the homework, but all work handed in must be individual work.
Grading Scale:
A AB+ B
≥92 90-
91
87-
89
83-
86
B-
80-
82
C+
77-
79
C
76
73-
C-
70-
72
D+
67-
69
D
63-
66
D-
60-
62
E
< 60
Note that the final course grades will be curved.
In order to graduate, graduate students must have an overall GPA and an upper-division GPA of 3.0 or better
(B or better). Note: a B- average is equivalent to a GPA of 2.67, and therefore, it does not satisfy this graduation requirement. For more information on grades and grading policies, please visit: http://www.registrar.ufl.edu/catalog/policies/regulationgrades.html
Make-up Exam Policy:
No make-up exams will be granted except for medical reasons.
Honesty Policy:
All students admitted to the University of Florida have signed a statement of academic honesty committing themselves to be honest in all academic work and understanding that failure to comply with this commitment will result in disciplinary action. This statement is a reminder to uphold your obligation as a UF student and to be honest in all work submitted and exams taken in this course and all others.
Accommodation for Students with Disabilities:
Students Requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. That office will provide the student with documentation that he/she must provide to the course instructor when requesting accommodation.
- UF Counseling Services –Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals. The resources include:
- UF Counseling & Wellness Center, 3190 Radio Rd, 392-1575, psychological and psychiatric services.
- Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career and job search services.
Software Use:
All faculty, staff and student of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules,

Department of Biomedical Engineering University of Florida disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate. We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to uphold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.