MEC4601 Implantable devices
Faculty of Engineering
MEC4601 Implantable devices is a level 4, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 4 other tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2026 entry.
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Overview
This unit is an introduction to biomedical engineering from the perspective of implantable medical devices. Topics include human physiology for engineers, principles of implantable medical devices, implantable cardiac devices, modelling of fluid flow, implantable sensors, application of control systems, biomedically relevant properties and phenomena, medical device development strategies, and medical device regulatory approval processes. During this time, project teams are formed and project proposals are developed to address a clinical problem. Project work continues with groups progressing through a strategy to develop an implantable medical device and associated commercialisation strategy.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Stage 1: ProposalProjectThreshold hurdle15%
- Stage 2: Progress reportProjectThreshold hurdle20%
- Stage 3: Pitch solutionProject15%
- Stage 4: Final reportProjectThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentExaminationThreshold hurdle30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Analyse human physiology from the perspective of engineering to develop insights into implantable medical devices.
- 2
Draw on the underlying principles of operation of various implantable devices in a medical and scientific research context to design creative solutions for the next generation of medical devices.
- 3
Analyse the practical implementations and technical characteristics of various implantable medical devices to meet the requirements of human physiology.
- 4
Design and justify implementations of innovative medical technology, considering the technical, legal, health, safety, user and commercial requirements and limitations.
- 5
Engage a team to generate clear, concise and high-quality documentation and reports for oral and written communications of complex integrated ideas.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Practical activities24 hours
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachSimulation or virtual practice
- Teaching approachProblem-based 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.
You will engage in a research project applying concepts of research methods to review a specific medical problem. Your task is to generate a hypothesis and provide supporting evidence that the proposed solution will work. A written report is due at the end of the semester.
During workshop sessions, you will be prompted to participate in polls, sharing your answers and opinions on topics discussed in class.
Each group of students will participate in a group as a member of a medical company that is trying to develop a medical product to address a specific medical problem. Solutions will be assessed at the end of the semester, based on an oral pitch and a written report.
The assignment in this unit will task you with developing solutions for a medical problem of your own choosing. Working in a group of your peers, you will design and create a medical implant or device to address the problem.
Where it fits
MEC4601 is part of 1 area of study in the 2025 handbook.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Josie Carberry
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Josie Carberry
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MEC4601?
MEC4601 has no prerequisites.
When is MEC4601 offered?
In 2025, MEC4601 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MEC4601?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MEC4601 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 4 other tasks.
Which majors and minors include MEC4601?
MEC4601 is part of Medical technology.