BI2PS2: Biomedical Problem Solving

Module code: BI2PS2

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Level 2 (Intermediate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Eur Ing Professor Simon Sherratt, email: r.s.sherratt@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Dr Sillas Hadjiloucas, email: s.hadjiloucas@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): It is preferable that students have some experience in programming before taking this module. (Open)

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to the skills and tools to create engineering solutions and solve problems using engineering techniques. The module includes a substantial group project pooling student expertise to tackle a given solution from concept to deployment. 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. Students are also introduced to good design practice, health and safety, and ethical issues as required to manage engineering projects. 

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. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Apply project management concepts (including planning and risk analysis), across system lifecycle stages to achieve a given specification
2. Understand aspects of safety, and the role of standards bodies
3. Develop a practical system (Raspberry Pi based) to solve a given real world specification
4. Understand the importance of, and distinction between, a logbook, technical standards, application notes, data sheets, and technical reports

Module content

• A series of lectures on Project management.  
• A series of lectures on Safety and Engineering Applications. 
• 3 lectures covering CV’s cover letters and LinkedIn. 
• A series of lectures on commercial awareness, legal, ethical and security issues 
• Skills development through practical lab sessions 
• A group project design exercise 

Structure

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. 

Study hours

At least 40 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive feedback, while writing code during practical sessions in semester 1, and their group project in semester 2 

Reassessment

Additional costs