MEC3601 Mechanics for biomedical engineering
Faculty of Engineering
MEC3601 Mechanics for biomedical engineering is a level 3, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It needs ENG2005 and (ENG1011 or ENG1001).
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 60%
- and 1 other task
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Requisites
Before MEC3601
Prohibitions
You can't enrol if you have passed any of these.
Prerequisites
Pass these before you enrol.
After MEC3601
No unit lists MEC3601 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Overview
Mechanics is the study of motion and the forces that cause motion. Biology is the study of living organisms. Biomechanics is, therefore, about using mechanics for understanding the motion of living things and the forces that cause them. Such an understanding is vital for a wide range of biomedical applications including designing medical implants, medical imaging, orthopaedics, sports training and therapy, forensics, computer-aided surgery, computational biomechanics, etc. This unit provides you with a foundational understanding of the concepts required for quantifying motion and forces and understanding their relationship in the context of biological materials and processes.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | Flexible |
Assessment
- Mid-semester testsQuiz / TestThreshold hurdle40%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle60%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Apply the knowledge of stress-strain relations to calculate the mechanical properties of biomaterials for biomedical applications.
- 2
Evaluate biomechanical problems and formulate solutions by applying modelling tools and analytical methodologies such as finite element analysis.
- 3
Appreciate the role of mechanical behaviour of cells, tissues and organs in the biological processes of the human body.
- 4
Justify through presentations, the mechanical basis of designs of biomedical devices to a wide audience.
- 5
Function as an effective team member by participating in all group activities and conducting regular self- and peer-assessment of individual and team performance.
Workload and teaching
- Practical activities24 hours
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachProblem-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
This unit includes problem-based learning approaches, where you will engage in research, integrate theory and practice and apply knowledge and skills to develop viable solutions in response to a problem or set of problems.
This unit engages you in actively applying their knowledge, skills and attributes in interactive, collaborative and reflective activities.
Learning resources
Recommended resources
Beer & Johnston, Mechanics of materials (McGraw Hill)
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Mahmoud Mostafavi
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Mahmoud Mostafavi
Common questions
When is MEC3601 offered?
In 2025, MEC3601 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MEC3601?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC3601 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 60% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.