CODE 108681 ACADEMIC YEAR 2025/2026 CREDITS 3 cfu anno 2 BIOENGINEERING 11159 (LM-21) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR ING-IND/06 LANGUAGE English TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 1° Semester MODULES Questo insegnamento è un modulo di: MECHANICS OF BIOLOGICAL TISSUE TEACHING MATERIALS AULAWEB AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The unit will first introduce senses and sensory systems in living organisms with special focus on the biomechanics of one sensory system. We will build a mathematical model to study how organisms collect and process specfici sensory information from their surroundings. A main aim of the module is to develop the skills necessary for group work, learn how to critically read the literature, develop simple mathematical models that capture the fundamental ingredients of an open problem and assess its potential, limitations and potential improvements. AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The course aims to provide students with knowledge of the mechanical behaviour of biological tissues. One additional important aim is to accustom the students to work in groups on specific projects. A final aim of the course is to teach the students how to look for and study scientific literature. More specifically, at the end of this module the student will be able to: Critically assess literature regarding an the mechanics of a specific sensory system (a different system each year) Explain in simple terms how the tissue mechanics affects sensing Simplify the problem and develop a simple mathematical model to study the mechanics of the sensory system Solve the model with numerical simulations using Matlab Describe the results with figures and formulas Present the results in writing TEACHING METHODS The teaching methods are in common to both modules. Each project will be presented by an instructor and the necessary mechanical knowledge will be provided during a suitable number of frontal lectures. These will include the presentation of the problem, the state of the art and a simple modeling approach that is suitable to be analyzed by the students. During most of the class hours, students will work in small groups on the projects. SYLLABUS/CONTENT Every year we will analyze a different sensory system and how it functions physically. The content will be an introduction of the function of the sensory system; an introduction on the physical laws that dictate how it behaves; a simplified model that analyzes a specific aspect of the sensory system and the methods to run simple numerical simulations regarding the model. More specifically: Critical reading of literature regarding the sensory system Mechanics of the tissue and its relation to its sensing function Simplified mathematical model Numerical methods for solving pdes in Matlab RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Each year a different sensory system will be analyzed, and the teacher will therefore provide research papers and book relevant to the topic at the beginning of the module. TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD AGNESE SEMINARA Ricevimento: contact the teacher to set up 1 to 1 meetings at agnese.seminara@unige.it LESSONS LESSONS START https://corsi.unige.it/info/studenti-calendario This module will be taught last. Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION The exam is the same for both modules. For the exam modalities, please refer to the description in the corresponding form common to both modules. ASSESSMENT METHODS The exam is the same for both modules. For the assessment methods, please refer to the description in the corresponding form common to both modules. FURTHER INFORMATION For any additional information please contact the teacher by email.
