Course Title: Bionic Technologies

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Bionic Technologies

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: Rob Kapsa

Course Coordinator Phone: 0413 142 978

Course Coordinator Email: rob.kapsa@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Bundoora and City

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment only


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course will introduce you to bionic technologies such as cochlear implants, bionic eyes, pacemakers, and other brain-machine interface devices. In doing so, you will develop fundamental understanding of the integration of electronics and robotics with biology, biomaterials, and mechanobiology.

You will explore how to integrate design thinking framework with emerging technology to develop ideas and solutions that can be turned into objects.

 

If you are enrolled in this course as a component of your Bachelor Honours Program, your overall mark will contribute to the calculation of the weighted average mark (WAM).

See the WAM information web page for more information.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes of the of BH069 Bachelor of Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) (Honours)

  • PLO1: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of fundamental engineering and scientific theories, principles and concepts and apply advanced technical knowledge in specialist domain of engineering. 
  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO3: Apply engineering research principles, methods and contemporary technologies and practices to plan and execute projects taking into account ethical, environmental and global impacts.     
  • PLO4: Apply systematic problem solving, design methods and information and project management to propose and implement creative and sustainable solutions with intellectual independence and cultural sensitivity. 
  • PLO5: Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods, practising professional and ethical conduct.
  • PLO6: Develop and demonstrate the capacity for autonomy, agility and reflection of own learning, career and professional development and conduct. 
  • PLO7: Collaborate and contribute as an effective team member in diverse, multi-level, multi-disciplinary teams, with commitment to First Nations Peoples and globally inclusive perspectives and participation.   


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Apply the base principles of biomimetics and how this relates to Bionic solutions for human health issues.
  2. Develop knowledge of strategies to design and evaluate bionic solutions for biomedical applications.  
  3. Relate how mechanical and electronics (mechatronic) systems interact with the human body to augment or restore physical functionality.
  4. Translate the principles that allow materials, interfaces, sensors and functional devices to be implanted into the human body.
  5. Verify, evaluate, reference, and manage information and communicate it in a professional manner.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through the Canvas Course Site.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through Canvas and the RMIT Student website.

A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning:

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT Student website.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment tasks are directly aligned with each Course Learning Outcome.  They are as follows:

Assessment 1: Written task assessment
Weighting: 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment 2: Laboratory assessment
Weighting: 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1-4.

Assessment 3: Take Home Individual assignment
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1-4.

Assessment 4: Team project
Weighting: 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1-5.

 

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.