ORTO3200 Materials, Design and Innovation Course description

The module provides in-depth study of materials used in prostheses and orthoses, their mechanical properties and mechanical design of prostheses and orthoses. The link between design and structural requirements is an important aspect. The module also covers clinical and production planning and quality improvement, health economics and ethics, as well as universal design, environmentally friendly methods and sustainable development. Other topics include development trends in materials and structural technology, and methods that can be used in innovation and fresh thinking.

The table below shows the subjects covered by the module, with credits specified:

• Ethics (0,5 credits)
• State and municipal studies, health and social policy (0,5 credits)
• Materials technology (9 credits)
• Innovation, production and quality assurance (5 credits)
• Total credits: 15 credits)

The student must have passed the second year of the programme.

After completing the module, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of the mechanical properties of materials and their effects
• has knowledge of new and traditional construction methods
• has knowledge of quality improvement and health economy in both a clinical and a production-related context
• is familiar with the International Standard Organisation's (ISOs) standards for testing of prosthetic and orthotic components
• has knowledge of some other areas of assistive technology

Skills

The student is capable of

• discussing and reflecting on the design process
• calculating and analysing compression, tension, torsion, bending and shear stress in materials and discussing their bearing on the design of prostheses and orthoses
• calculating and analysing the stiffness and elasticity of materials
• calculating the effect of forces and moments of force on mechanical structures
• discussing how mechanical principles influence the design and structure of prostheses and orthoses
• discussing design and universal design
• discussing quality assurance and quality control of enterprises
• discussing design and material choices in relation to sustainability, the environment, health economics and other available resources

General competence

The student is capable of

• discussing possibilities for innovation in prosthetics and orthotics practice
• reflecting on how prosthetics and orthotics contribute to public health in a national and international perspective
• reflecting on experience gained through practical training
• reflecting on interprofessional cooperation in innovation projects

When students have been accepted in a project they are expected to produce the following:

1. The student will choose about 500 pages for a reading list that are thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific outcome, which has to be submitted as a work requirement.

2. A scientific outcome. A relevant scientific outcome for the project may be:

• a paper produced as a working paper
• a paper, poster, film or exhibit for presentation in a scientific conference
• an independent or co-authored publication
• a presentation of results for stakeholders
• an integrated part of a larger publication from the project. In this case, the student and the supervisor must indicate which part of the publication the student is responsible for.
• a policy-brief, summarizing the main findings as well as suggesting the implications and recommendations of these findings
• or other output approved by the course coordinator and the supervisor

The scientific outcome can be submitted as an individual or as a joint work.

3. In addition to the scientific output from the project participation, each student will deliver an individual report of between 1000 - 3000 words from the research training. This report should contain a critical reflection of the learning process as well as the student's individual contribution, uses of method or implication of the produced knowledge.

The work should amount to the equivalent of 6 weeks of full time studies.

The following coursework requirement must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to sit the final exam:

The student will choose about 500 pages for a reading list that is thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific outcome.

Reading lists that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from submitting the final exam paper.

The exam in the course consists of an individual written report (the report must have a scope of between 4 - 9 pages, tables and references are not included. Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5), as well as a relevant scientific outcome from the participation (a paper, an article, a policy-brief or other relevant output).

Together with the report the submission should include the approved reading list.

Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the report for assessment

All

Pass / fail

One external and one internal examiner will assess a minimum of 20 % of the exam papers. The remaining papers will be assessed by two internal examiners. The external examiner's assessment shall benefit all the students.