535.663.81 - Biosolid Mechanics

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Course Modules on the course menu. The modules run for a period of seven (7) days and are made available the Thursday prior.  A module will have several sections including the overview, content, readings, discussions, and assignments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting.  You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates.  

It is expected that each module will take approximately 8–9 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the texts (approximately 1–2 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1-2 hours per week), and homework and projects (approximately 4–5 hours per week).

Timely feedback on students' performance is an established learning tool, so we will endeavor to grade and return to you, as quickly as possible, all material that you submit. Homework will normally be graded and returned via the website within a week. If you do not receive a grade on homework that you have turned in, please ask of its whereabouts; it may need to be resubmitted.

Course Goals

To  learn about the structure and mechanical properties of tissue,  understand how mechanics can be applied to measure the mechanical properties of tissues, and analyze for the stresses and deformation of tissues in response to mechanical loading. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Explain about the microstructure and mechanical behavior of tissue structures.
• Apply the fundamental concepts of stress and strain for infinitesimal and finite deformation kinematics.
• Apply the constitutive models commonly applied for biological hard and soft tissues.
• Solve static problems for common of biological tissue structures.

Textbooks

Biosolid mechanics is a diverse topic that spans the fracture of bones to the mechanotransduction of cells. I will rely mostly on class notes and assign reading from the required textbook: J.D. Humphrey. The textbook presents a rigorous non-tensor treatment of mechanics with relevant biological applications and is a great introductory textbook. I will also assign required reading from research papers and a few sections from the optional textbook by Y.C. Fung. These should be available in the course contents and from the library.

Humphrey, J. D., & O’Rourke, S. L. (2015). An Introduction to Biomechanics: Solids and Fluids, Analysis and Design. Springer. ISBN: 978-1-4939-2622-0 [e-version]

Optional
Fung, Y. C. (1993). Biomechanics: Mechanical Properties of Living Tissues. Springer. ISBN 978-1-4757-2257-4 [e-version]

Student Coursework Requirements

Homework Assignments: 50%
Midterm Project: 25%
Final Project 25%

Note that HW grades will be assigned based on the cumulative score and will be curved depending the grade distribution of the class unless everyone gets 80% and above.  Then we will follow the grading policy below.  

Extensions for HW and project deadlines must be requested at least 24 hours in advance. This is so I can time the release of HW solutions. 

Grading Policy

Score Range	Letter Grade
100-97	= A+
96-93	= A
92-90	= A−
89-87	= B+
86-83	= B
82-80	= B−
79-77	= C+
76-73	= C
72-70	= C−
69-67	= D+
66-63	= D
<63	= F

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping, and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar. Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course. 

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students. This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Our courses are designed with a proactive approach to accessibility to minimize the need for disability disclosure and accommodation requests, but we recognize that you may need additional support. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions, and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.  For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact EP Student Disability Services at ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu. 

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. For a full description of the code please visit the Student Conduct Code website.

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team (EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu) in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.