MEC8061 : Biomimetics
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Dr Oana Bretcanu
- Lecturer: Dr Mark Gidley, Professor Tom Joyce, Dr Sara Marsham
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The module is focused on nature-inspired engineering. Understanding how nature works has helped scientists and engineers to find innovative solutions and strategies for development and/or optimization of complex functional materials, design and processes. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamental principles of biomimetics.
Outline Of Syllabus
This module provides a solid basis for understanding the fundamental principles of biomimetics. It explores key elements for analysing complex problems through biomimetic approach. Lectures will cover topics such as bioinspired surfaces and surface functionalization, marine structures and marine-inspired biomaterials, biofouling and bioinspired antimicrobial surfaces.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 2:00 | 20:00 | Lectures covering the whole syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Oral presentation and answers to questions |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Introduction to the module |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Practice for oral presentation |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 38 | 3:00 | 114:00 | Recommended revision for assessments, assuming prior regular independent study throughout teaching. Canvas practice quiz. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Module summary and final discussions |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | End of module in class online PC assessment covering whole syllabus |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 20 | 3:00 | 60:00 | Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period to follow up taught classes |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures cover fundamental knowledge and help students to apply what they learnt to specific case studies.
Independent study supports the students’ self-study in reading around the lecture material and learning to solve the practical engineering problems identified during lectures.
Assessment preparation and completion will allow students to fully prepare for both their formative and summative assessments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 70 | End of module in class Inspera digital assessment covering whole syllabus |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | 30 | PowerPoint individual presentation on specific topic (10 min presentation followed by questions) |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 1 | M | Canvas practice quiz for the digital exam |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The Inspera digital exam will assess theoretical understanding of all aspects of the module. The students should be able to apply a broad range of knowledge to the wider context of biomimetics.
The oral presentation will assess communication skills on a specific topic, at a technical level suitable to the audience. The students should be able to select and critically evaluate technical literature, to effectively present their specific topic.
The formative assessment will help students to prepare for their summative examination, by reinforcing key concepts related to taught material covered during lectures.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC8061's Timetable