BIMMT1: Introduction to Medical Technologies

Module code: BIMMT1

Module provider: School of Biological Sciences

Credits: 20

Level: Postgraduate Masters

When you'll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Professor Slawomir Nasuto, email: s.j.nasuto@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

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: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 6 August 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

In this module students will be introduced to the development and use of medical technologies in healthcare from diagnostics to treatment. Students will learn the principles of how medical technologies are designed and developed. They will learn how they can be used as diagnostic technologies such as medical imaging and used to monitor disease progression with medical sensors and wearable devices. Students will also learn about medical technology in drug delivery and in rehabilitation and assistive technology. Case studies from industry will be used to enhance discussion of key concepts in medical technology. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. explain the role and significance of core medical technologies in biotechnology and healthcare.  
2. critically evaluate, select, and apply appropriate medical technologies for various diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes. 
3. Critically evaluate future trends in the use of medical technologies for healthcare and drug development. 

Module content

• Overview of medical technologies 
• Design and development process for medical technologies, including regulatory requirements. 
• Medical imaging 
• Medical sensors in diagnosis and disease monitoring 
• Wearable devices 
• Assistive and rehabilitation engineering 
• Drug delivery 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered through formal lectures and seminars in which students will discuss key concepts in medical technology and their development and regulatory processes with the aid of case studies provided by industry. Students will also be expected to learn through self-directed study and through group working. Learning will be assessed by a presentation and an in-class test. 

Study hours

At least 30 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 50% 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: /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.

Seminars will provide students with an opportunity to gain feedback on their understanding of the topics covered in the module. 

Reassessment

Additional costs