Course Title: Microfluidics and Bio-Micro-Electromechanical Systems

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Microfluidics and Bio-Micro-Electromechanical Systems

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
EEET2300	City Campus	Undergraduate	125H Electrical & Computer Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2014

Course Coordinator: Prof Arnan Mitchell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2457

Course Coordinator Email: arnan.mitchell@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None

Course Description

Micro-technology offers exceptional precision, vast complexity and low-cost manufacturing capabilities that have revolutionised the electronics industry and have permanently altered the way in which information is processed. Similar techniques can be applied to microfluidics enabling low-cost platforms that can manipulate chemical and biological media with complexity and precision that is simply not possible using traditional laboratory equipment. This is called lab-on-a-chip technology.

This course will introduce you to the concepts of microfluidics and the challenges and opportunities for manipulating biological matters and chemicals at the micro-scale

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On successful completion of this course you will be able to:
•Describe and explain the fundamental operation of basic microfluidic components such as fluidic channels, mixers, separators, valves and micro-pumps
•Design and fabricate your own lab-on-a-chip platform to address a wide range of applications

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes:
• High levels of technical competence in the field
• Be able to apply problem solving approaches to work challenges and make decisions using sound engineering methodologies

Overview of Learning Activities

The course will provide an interactive and hands-on learning experience:
• Lectures (with interactive tutorial components)
• Computer-based laboratory sessions (instructor guided)
• Completion of tutorial questions and laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on you progress and understanding
• Completion of written laboratory report consisting of numerical and other problems requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter
• Group project to provide training in research skills, especially literature review 

Overview of Learning Resources

You will be able to access course information and learning materials online and will be provided with copies of additional materials in class. Lists of relevant reference texts, resources in the library and freely accessible Internet sites will be provided. You will also use laboratory equipment and computer software within the School during project and assignment work.
 

Overview of Assessment

Final Examination – Assessment of theoretical knowledge and application
Assignments 1 – Literature review and summary of a specialised topic
Practical (2 experiments) – Learning will be enhanced with experiments that encourage exploration of micro-channels, micro-mixers, dynamics of particles motion in microfluidics. Laboratory reports are due two weeks after completion of the scheduled laboratory session.