Biomaterials manufacturing processes  (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

The course consists of 2 parts.
- Part 1 (3 ECTS): Biomaterials Processing (Manufacturing methods of different types of biomaterials and Quality systems and requirements for biomaterials), Schedule: Week 35-37, group report deadline before the oral presentation of the group task and individual summary report deadline is 10.10.2021 (individual summary report has 2 parts, the other is related to Biomaterials Processing, and the other to Bionanotechnology).

- Part 2 (2 ECTS): Bionanotechnology; basic methods of preparation and how nanotechnology is utilised, e.g., in controlled drug delivery and diagnostics; Schedule: Weeks 38-40; group report deadline before the oral presentation of the group task and individual summary report deadline is 10.10.2021.

The first multiple choice exam (covering both parts of the course) will be held 7.10.2021.

2-4 Students may conduct the whole module (15 ECTS) as research work, which has a tailored schedule. More details below in optional implementation.

Objective

The participants are able to
- explain the connection between biomaterials structure, properties and manufacturing
- describe and select different characterization methods for different biomaterials
- describe the specific features of the biomaterials preparation processes and bionanotechnology.

Content

- Manufacturing processes of different biomaterials and bionanotechnology

Materials

The group tasks are based on scientific articles/patents and lecture materials provided in Optima. The individual task is based on the oral reports of the other groups, notes made in class and on 2-3 articles/patents of the other groups.

Teaching methods

Team-based learning in groups (same groups in the both parts of the course) resolving a Group Task, Individual tasks to complement Group Tasks and summarise the group tasks of the other groups, Group presentation both for substance and communication skills, Task reports & presentations in English, Multiple Choice Exam one of the tasks, which is directly related to the Group and Individual Tasks. Information retrieval from Journal and Patent databases is an important part of the tasks.

Pedagogic approaches and sustainable development

The emphasis is in the team-based learning by solving tasks in the groups:
There are both contact sessions and group and individual task (major part of the work goes to the tasks).
Tasks work is conducted continuously on every week of the course. The work is done both in groups (of ca. 3 members) and individually.
There are 1 group task/part, an individual task (covering both parts) and a multiple choice exam that also covers both parts (Biomaterials Processing and Bionanotechnology), i.e., 4 tasks in total.

2-4 students may conduct the course by working in the the research group (New Materials and processes). This type of the implementation has to be agreed separate with the instructors. Generally it consists of lab work related to real research projects, reporting and appending the needed theory in the reports.

Completion alternatives

In the research work implementation, a separate learning agreement is signed, and separate instructions are provided for reporting and integration of theory into the reports.The reporting consists of weekly follow-up meetings and theory discussion, an individual report and 2-3 group reports, 1-2 intermediate group reports in November and/or December, and the final group report in January 2022. 1-2 intermediate group report(s) will be combined into the final report. In December, each participant will also return an individual report on the theory part of the course. The absolute final deadline for the final report is 31 January 2022, and there is no possibility to raise the grade or to return the report later. However, if you want feedback on your report before the deadline, you have to return you report 15 January 2022 at the latest, and you will get within 10 days some comment to correct or improve the report.

Student workload

See above.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Assessment is based on the task reporting (both oral and written), and activity in the group meetings. There is no course exam.
There are 2 groups tasks (oral presentations giving 0-2 points each) and 2 individual tasks (giving 0-4 points each). The other individual task includes 2 summary reports on presentations of the other groups, and the other one is a multiple choice exam that covers the whole content of the course.
For the group tasks (oral presentations, both the content and the actual presentation are assessed), if the report is not returned on time (deadlines above in "contents and schedule"), the points will be reduced by 1 point / task. If a member of the group is not present in class when the the report is presented, they have to add 1 more article/patent to the corresponding individual report. If the individual summary report on presentations of the other groups is not returned on time, the points will be reduced by 1 point / task. The relation between the points and the grades is the following: 11-12 points = 5, 9-10 points = 4, 7-8 points = 3, 5-6 points = 2, 0-4 points = 1. All 4 tasks must be accepted before any credits can be gained

Further information

No specific equipment, software etc. is needed. Social media tools are recommended for group communication.