Biological Fluid Mechanics 3 ENG3011

  • Academic Session: 2025-26
  • School: School of Engineering
  • Credits: 10
  • Level: Level 3 (SCQF level 9)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course in Biological Fluid Mechanics introduces fluid flow in major human organ systems, and fluid flow within and over some selected medical devices and implants. It includes an introduction to engineering models for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, creeping flow, laminar and turbulent flow. Applications to biological systems include flow through flexible tissue, pressures and flow in the circulatory and pulmonary systems, lubrication between joints and microfluidics.

Timetable

2 lectures per week, with additional tutorials

1 lab session

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

Excluded Courses

ENG5286 Biological Fluid Mechanics M

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

80% exam

20% lab report

Main Assessment In: December

Course Aims

This course aims to

■ - introduce students to the micro and macro scale fluid phenomena and transport processes in major human organ systems (cells, lungs, circulation and liver/kidneys);

■ - introduce mathematical models of fluid momentum and mass transfer and include the study of turbulent flow and non-Newtonian effects in biological fluid flows.

■ - enable students to apply mathematical models for biofluidic applications, including the study of fluid flow across cell membranes, in micro-channels (microfluidics), in joint lubrication, and pulsatile flow in arteries.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■  analyse micro and macro scale fluid phenomena and transport processes in major human organ systems (cells, lungs, circulation and liver/kidneys);

■ critically evaluate the use of mathematical models of fluid momentum and mass transfer, including turbulent flow and non-Newtonian effects in biological fluid flows.

■ apply mathematical models to analyse fluid flow in various biological applications, including flow across cell membranes, microfluidics, joint lubrication and arterial flow.

■ analyse biofluidic properties of complex materials mimicking biological specimen in a practical laboratory.

■ critically evaluate the ethical implications of using biological specimen for diagnostic purposes.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.

 

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.

 

Students should attend at least 75% of the timetabled classes of the course.

 

Note that these are minimum requirements: good students will achieve far higher participation/submission rates.  Any student who misses an assessment or a significant number of classes because of illness or other good cause should report this by completing a MyCampus absence report.