New Module Form
Essential Information Required for
Module Manager
ACADEMIC YEAR ___________
Module Detail
Title Biomechanics and Mechanobiology
(maximum 50 characters)
Description
This module entails the study of advanced concepts in the areas of biomechanics
and mechanobiology. During semester I students will study tissue biomechanics, with
topics including non-linear viscoelasticity, anisotropic hyperelasticity of arteries, and
constitutive laws for muscle contractility. During semester II cell mechanobiology is
studied with topics including cell mechanics, mechanosenors, tissue differentiation
and adaptive remodeling theories.
(brief description of the content of the module between 75 – 150 words)
*Note Field to indicate taught through Irish/English/Erasmus
Module version number and date approved
xx/xx/2012
*
Course Instances (s)
ME Biomedical Engineering
1SPE, 2SPE, 3SPE, 4SPE
1SPD, 2SPD, 3SPD, 4SPD
xx/xx/2012
xx/xx/2012
Date Retired
Module Owner / Lecturer
Module Administrator Details
Dr. Patrick McGarry
Jane Bowman
Please specify main contact person(s) for exam related queries and contact number /email
Module Code
(
Module Type
Core= Student must take the module
Optional = Choice for Student
Office use only)
Optional for
Core for
ECTS
Multiple of 5 ects
5 ects
ALL
Course Requirement 40%
(i.e. where a module has to be passed at 40%)
Semester Taught
Semester Examined
Year Long
Requisite(s)
Semester 2
Co-Req.
Modules 
If they take module X they must take
module Y
Pre-Req
Modules 
The student must have taken and
passed a module in previous year
Excl.Req.
Modules 
If they take module X they CANNOT
take module Y
Module Assessment
Assessment Type
Exam Session
Duration
1st Sitting
Continuous Assessment
Semester 2
Not Applicable
2nd Sitting
Bonded Modules
(modules which are to be
examined at the same date and
time)
Draft Created by Syllabus Team as part of Academic Simplification 2012/2013
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PART B
Workload:
ECTS credits represent the student workload for the programme of study, i.e. the total time
the student spends engaged in learning activities. This includes formal teaching, homework,
self-directed study and assessment.
Modules are assigned credits that are whole number multiples of 5.
One credit is equivalent to 20-25 hours of work. An undergraduate year’s work of 60 credits is
equivalent to 1200 to 1500 hours or 40 to 50 hours of work per week for two 15 week
semesters (12 weeks of teaching, 3 weeks study and formal examinations).
Module Schedule
No. of Lectures Hours 24
No. of Tutorials Hours 8
No. of Labs Hours
12
Recommended No. of self study
hours 60
Other educational activities(Describe)
and hours allocated
Lecture Duration
Tutorial Duration
Lab Duration
Placement(s) hours
Laboratory analysis and preparation of
Laboratory reports - 20 hours
*Total range of hours to be automatically totalled (min amount to be hit)
Module Learning Outcomes
(CAN BE EXPANDED)
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
1Derive and calibrate non-linear viscoelastic constitutive laws for soft tissue including
tendon and skin.
2Understand the anisotropic hyperelastic behaviour of arterial tissue
3Analyse the interaction between cardiovascular devices and healthy and
pathological tissue.
4Derive constitutive laws for muscle contractility based on kinetics of actin-myosin
bonding.
5Develop an Understanding of the Mechanics of the Cell, including the Cytoskeleton
and Cell Membrane, Adhesion, Migration, and Contraction of Cell in Response to the
Mechanical Environment
6Develop an Understanding of Mechanosensation, Mechanotransduction and
Intracellular Signaling
7Derive and Apply Adaptive Mechanobiology Theories (Tissue Differentiation, Tissue
Remodelling)
8Conduct Laboratory Experiments to Investigate Cell Mechanics and
Mechanobiological Responses
Module Learning, Coursework and Assessment
Learning Outcomes at module level should be capable of being assessed. Please indicate assessment methods and the outcomes they will assess
Assessment type, eg. End of year exam, group project
Continuous Assessment
Outcomes
assessed
1-8
% weighting
100
Indicative Content (Marketing Description and content)
Biomechanics and Mechanobiology is an interdisciplinary module, which integrates
knowledge from cell and molecular biology with engineering mechanics to provide
students with an understanding of the biomechanical behaviour of tissue and cells.
Draft Created by Syllabus Team as part of Academic Simplification 2012/2013
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During semester I students will study advanced concepts in biomechanics with a
focus on constitutive behaviour of tissue. Non-linear viscoelastic behaviour of soft
tissue will be investigated. Anisotropic hyperelasticity of arterial tissue will be studied.
Interaction of cardiovascular devices with non-linear anisotropic and pathological
tissue will be analysed. Constitutive laws for muscle contractility will presented.
During semester II cell mechanobiology is studied providing students with an
understanding of the mechanisms by which biological cells sense and respond to
changes in their mechanical environment. Students will study the mechanisms by
which cells (a) appraise their mechanical environment via molecule or protein
complexes (mechanosensation), (b) communicate the need for adaptation by
produce biochemical signals (mechanotransduction) and (c) initiate adaptive
responses when the mechanical environment is not favourable.
Module Resources
Suggested Reading Lists
Jay D. Humphrey, Cardiovascular Solid Mechanics,
ISBN 0-387-95168-7
Y.C. Fung, Biomechanics, ISBN 0-387-94384-6
Christopher R. Jacobs, Hayden Huang, Ronald Y.
Kwon, Introduction to Cell Mechanics and
Mechanobiology, ISBN 9780815344254
Library
Journal
Physical (e.g. AV’s)
IT (e.g. software + version)
Admin
FOR COLLEGE USE ONLY
Student Quota
Quota
(where applicable only)
(identify number per module where applicable only)
Module:
Number:
Discipline involved in Teaching
Share of FTE
*(drop down for disciplines within school)
Biomedical Engineering
*(% out of 1)
100%
RGAM
NB:
Notes on some fields are for the technical side when considering which
software company to use.
Draft Created by Syllabus Team as part of Academic Simplification 2012/2013
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