Human Impact & Forensic Biomechanics

This subject is not offered in 2013.

120 hours

The prerequisite for this subject is:

OR

enrolment in Master of Biomedical Engineering

None

None

Anti-requisite for this subject is:

For the purposes of considering applications for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005) and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, this subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit. http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject examines the mechanics of human tissue injury which is important in situations like a car crash or a workplace injury. After a review of the gross anatomy of the head and neck, the modes by which the function of the brain and spine can be interrupted by injury are explained and the frontiers for research are defined.

Students will become familiar with methods and experiments to determine criteria for life threatening injury to the head and neck, including historical notes on hanging technique and brain function maps from war time gunshot wounds. The course will focus on examining statistical approaches that can cope with large uncertainties in seemingly random data.

On completing this course students should be able to:

• Discuss the provided literature on injury mechanics
• Design an experiment to determine the yield points and statistical outcomes of bone loading
• Demonstrate advanced Matlab skills
• Compare the merits and drawbacks of various experimental and calculative methods in application to bone mechanics
• Describe the mechanical properties of various soft tissues and bone

• One end-of-semester exam of 2-hours duration (50%) (must pass written exam to pass subject).
• Three individual on-line tests completed (10%).
• A group report of conference paper style which is 4 to 6 pages double spaced (25%). One third of the grade is for professional standard presentation, one third for content and one third for clear logical and well supported argument.
• Peer review of reports from other groups (5%).
• Fielding questions and delivery of an amended report that addresses the peer review feedback (5%).
• An observational study, which is a field trip where a series of observations and tests are conducted (5%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
• Proficiency in engineering design
• Ability to conduct an engineering project
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
• Ability to manage information and documentation
• Capacity for creativity and innovation
• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member