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The module is 1.5CU (45 credits), and it runs through term 1 and 2.

The purpose of this module is to provide students with the broad experience of creating a device that solves a real-life problem for someone with a disability. The students will be working on a Biomedical Engineering related product for a specific user community, e.g. wheelchair users, MND patients, blind, etc. All the stages of the design need to be considered and addressed, from the initial research and definition of the need and the brief to the design, manufacture, testing, evaluation, addressing IP and regulatory matters, and planning of a route to market. The device must be designed to be robust, usable and safe for the users, as well as accessible by the mass market.

A theme or disability is proposed each year, such that the teaching team can organize some initial presentations and interviews with relevant patients advocates and organizations/charities. In addition, a number of seminars and guest lectures are provided to guide students over all the stages in the design cycle, as well as opportunities to discuss with and get feedback from supervisors. The Undergraduate teaching lab and workshop are available for booking by the students for the manufacturing of their prototypes, as well as technician support.

The students work in groups, each student taking the leadership and planning for one aspect of the project (a work package) while contributing in all others.

Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Understand and evaluate customer/user needs and problem to be solved, including considerations such as the wider engineering context and stakeholders.
• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of the design processes and methodologies, ability to apply and adapt them to unfamiliar situations, and ability to generate an innovative fully characterized design that is fit for purpose.
• Demonstrate ability to manufacture and assemble a (part of the) prototype of the selected design, ad that it is suitable for testing.
• Critically assess the design and prototype, setting up and performing relevant tests that can be theoretical, computational or experimental (including studies with volunteers and focus groups).
• Investigate and define the problem, identifying any constraints including environmental and sustainability limitations; ethical, healthy, safety, and risk issues; intellectual property; codes of practice and standards; business viability, and environmental and commercial risks and management protocols.
• Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, as well as work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, demonstrating understanding of its implications and use, where appropriate, theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies.
• Demonstrate insights and suitable approach related to the development of a business and marketing plan, including the costing of the product and the study of viability, desirability and feasibility of the product.
• Plan and manage the design project, undertaking a leading role for specific tasks, while demonstrating good collaborative and communicative skills in all tasks, e.g. with team members, supervisor, consultants and users.
• Communicate work successfully and with high quality to technical and non-technical audiences, i.e. via deliverables and presentation.