ORI3010 Sustainable Materials, Design and Digital Innovation Course description

The course explores the relationship between sustainable materials, design and digital innovation within prosthetics and orthotics. Students learn about materials used in prostheses and orthoses, principles of sustainable design, and the importance of material choices in achieving health benefits.

Students develop digital competence by learning how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, 3D scanning, 3D modelling and 3D printing (additive manufacturing) can enhance service development and patient care. By applying methods such as design thinking, students work in interdisciplinary, user-centred projects that combine sustainable materials, digital tools and innovation.

The course emphasises ethical reflection, health economics and entrepreneurship as preparation for the future of prosthetics and orthotics and digital health services.

The student must have passed the first and second years of the programme or equivalent.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain the mechanical properties of materials and technologies used in prosthetics and orthotics
• can describe sustainable and environmentally friendly design and manufacturing methods, and how these are integrated into digital solutions such as 3D scanning, modelling, printing, and AI-assisted design
• can explain how digital competence, service innovation and sustainability contribute to health economics, quality improvement and universal design
• can explain professional, ethical and legal considerations in digitalised health care and the use of sustainable materials
• can describe the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for prosthetic and orthotic components

Skills

The student

• can apply design thinking to integrate materials, 3D scanning, modelling and printing, and digital health technology into user-centred solutions
• can calculate and analyse material properties (stress, stiffness, elasticity) and evaluate their significance in relation to sustainable prosthetic and orthotic design
• can contribute to the development of digital and assistive technology through innovative thinking and a user-centred perspective
• can collaborate interprofessionally by applying creativity, prototyping and testing of innovative solutions

General competence

The student

• can critically reflect on the ethical, social and economic implications of digitalisation, 3D scanning, modelling and printing in the fabrication of prostheses and orthoses
• is familiar with challenges related to the sustainable production of prostheses and orthoses in developing countries
• can discuss opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship within prosthetics and orthotics practice
• can reflect on the importance of interprofessional collaboration in innovation projects within health technology or assistive technology

The work and teaching methods used vary between seminars, skills training, lectures, group and project work, and self-study.

The following coursework requirements must be met before the student can take the exam:

• a minimum attendance of 80 % in seminars and group work.

Portfolio assessment: Four individual assignments, in total 5,000 words (+/- 10%).

Weighting: One overall grade is awarded based on the portfolio. All four assignments in the portfolio count equally with respect to grading, but if an F is awarded for one or more of the assignments, the overall grade will also be an F.

Resit exam: Students will be given one opportunity to submit a reworked version of the portfolio assignment(s) for which an F was awarded.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

All answers are assessed by two examiners. An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum for every third ordinary examination. If selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 10 answers. The external examiner’s assessment shall form the basis for the assessment of the remaining answers.

• 15 credits overlap with ORI3000 Sustainable Materials, Design and Innovation
• 5 credits overlap with ORI3200 Digital Competence and Innovation in Health