Teaching a Non-Traditional Subject to Mechanical Engineers: A Case Study of Learning Anatomy Using Anatomical Software and Models of Human Joints

Abstract

Bioengineering is a multidisciplinary science which requires mechanical engineering students, who typically have minimal knowledge of medicine, to rapidly gain a thorough understanding of the intricacies of human anatomy as well as of the specialist terminology. Teaching on a bioengineering module in a school of mechanical engineering at a UK university employed a combination of Primal Pictures anatomical software, human joint models, bespoke teaching materials and peer-to-peer learning. This mixture allowed engineering students to quickly construct an understanding of anatomical principles which they used in individual, assessed projects on total joint replacement. Anonymised, written feedback collected from the students over consecutive academic years revealed overwhelmingly positive learning experiences. In addition, assessed projects showed good knowledge of the anatomical descriptions necessary to understand and work with the science of joint replacement.