Study Programmes 2015-2016
GBIO0012-2  
Biomechanics
Duration :
30h Th, 30h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits :
Master in biomedical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in mechanical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Master in physical engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Davide Ruffoni
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Course contents :
General: application of the basic laws of mechanics on the human movement apparatus and its different components, bone modeling and remodeling, influence of mechanical loading on physiological processes within the body, applications in orthopedic and dental implants and in diagnostic, therapeutic and chirurgical techniques.
Detailed content:
  • The musculoskeletal system
  • Loads and motion in the musculoskeletal system
  • Tissue mechanics: bone
  • Tissue mechanics: soft tissue
  • Structural analysis of musculoskeletal systems: beam theory
  • Structural analysis of musculoskeletal systems: advanced topics
  • Bone-implant systems
  • Fracture fixation devices
  • Total hip replacements
  • Total knee replacements
  • Computational biomechanics
Learning outcomes of the course :
At the end of the course students should be able to
  • apply basic mechanical engineering principles to the human (musculoskeletal) system.
  • relate theoretical concepts and tools to practical engineering and scientific problems
  • communicate with biomedical experts and clinicians.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
General knowledge of mechanical principles as covered by bachelor courses PHYS2020-1 and MECA0001-1.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
  • Weekly exercise sessions (assignments in English)
  • Visit to the ULg gait lab
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
  • Reference textbook: Orthopaedic Biomechanics by D.L. Bartel, D.T. Davy and T.M. Keaveny, Pearson Prentice Hall Bioengineering. Several copies are available at the library.
  • Detailed slides (in English) will be made available to the students via eCampus.
Assessment methods and criteria :
During the course assignments will be given that need to be solved individually by the students. The reports on the assignments will be discussed during the oral exam in which the depth and width of the student's knowledge on the discussed topics will be evaluated. The language of the report and the oral examination can be either French or English (chosen by student).
Work placement(s) :
Organizational remarks :
Theory course and problems sessions in fall quarter. The course will start on September 24 (2015) at 14:00, room TP8 (B 52).
Contacts :
Davide Ruffoni
druffoni@ulg.ac.be