BI2PS22-Biomedical Problem Solving

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Experience in programming is preferred.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Eur ing prof Simon Sherratt
Email: r.s.sherratt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module includes a substantial group project in which students from different programmes in the School of Biological Sciences work together, pooling their expertise to tackle a given biomedical problem. The module introduces students to the concepts, practice and management associated with undertaking a project during which a technological solution is created for a given biomedical problem situation. The module addresses the lifecycle activities associated with developing a product to address the problem, as well as the management activities required to ensure the product is developed on time and is fit for purpose. Students will be involved in both developing a product and evaluating it across a range of conditions. A group work approach is adopted, whereby students work in multi-disciplinary teams to achieve common goals within the practical periods and through independent study. Students are also introduced to good design practice, health and safety, commercial awareness, and legal, ethical and security issues.

Aims:

This module will provide students with an understanding of the concepts, practice and management associated with developing a technological solution from initial problem statement to delivery. Students gain experience of working in teams to design and develop a project designed to solve an identified real-world task.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, students will be expected to be able to:

• Apply project management concepts (including planning and risk analysis), across system lifecycle stages to achieve a given specification


• Understand aspects of safety, and the role of standards bodies


• Be able to develop a practical system (Raspberry Pi based) to solve a given real world specification


• Understand good engineering practice and its relevance to real-world systems


• Understand the importance of, and distinction between, a logbook, PID (Project Initiation Document) and Report

Additional outcomes:

• Enhanced communication skills through development of a logbook, PID (Project Initiation Document) and Report


• Programming skills (python) and linux


• Experiences in problem solving


• Working with others in a group project and understanding a team approach to project


• Innovation and creative thinking


• Need for testing

Outline content:

• A series of lectures on Safety and Engineering Applications


• A series of lectures on Project management


• A series of lectures on commercial awareness, legal, ethical and security issues


• Skills development through practical lab sessions


• A group project exercise

Global context:

Under safety, we discuss why different countries have their own safety standards and why products need to be specifically designed for various countries.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The lectures will introduce students to the theories, concepts, and underpinning principles. Students will be supervised in lab practicals to apply the concepts and principles to a given problem context and develop a tested technical solution. The lectures and lab-based practicals will enable students to develop creative solutions, and critically apply the methods to design and document results. A large group project sees students develop a solution in partnership.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	10	6
Practicals classes and workshops	20
Supervised time in studio/workshop		20
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	50
Advance preparation for classes		6
Preparation for presentations		10
Preparation of practical report	20	10
Revision and preparation		8
Group study tasks		20
Dissertation writing		20
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	30
Report	50
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

N/A

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Three summative submissions are required:

1. Individual submission of logbook covering the autumn labs (30%)


2. Individual multichoice test (on blackboard) (20%)


3. Group project report with each project member contributing (50%).

Formative assessment methods:

• Autumn term, students will receive oral feedback on their performance in the weekly lab sessions.


• Spring term, students will receive oral feedback on their performance in the weekly group project sessions.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Single report constituting a resubmission of the individual students submission to the group report.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books:  None

2) Specialist equipment or materials:  None - supplied by the School

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:  None

4) Printing and binding:  None

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:  None

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:  None

Last updated: 30 March 2023