Modelling & Simulation

Department
  • Bachelor's program Medical, Health and Sports Engineering
Course unit code
  • MGST-B-5-MAI-MS-ILV
Number of ECTS credits allocated
  • 3.0
Name of lecturer(s)
Mode of delivery
  • face-to-face
Recommended optional program components
  • none
Recommended or required reading
  • - T. J. R. Hughes. The finite element method: linear static and dy-namicfinite element analysis, volume 682. Dover Publications New York, 2000.
    - A. Meyer-Baese and V. Schmid. Pattern Recognition and Signal Analysis in Medical Imaging, 2nd Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, 2014.
Level of course unit
  • Bachelor
Year of study
  • Fall 2025
Semester when the course unit is delivered
  • 5
Language of instruction
  • English
Learning outcomes of the course unit
  • The students:
    - understand basic modeling concepts for mechanical problems.
    - understand the theoretical fundamentals of the finite element method.
    - can apply commercial finite element programs to problems in medical technology and sports sciences.
    - can check results for accuracy and recognize the limits of application.
    - can independently solve simplified equations of motion for the human musculoskeletal system.
    - understand the core components of a neural network.
Course contents
  • Various physical phenomena in medical technology as well as sports science can be described using differential equations. The "virtual prototype" created after modeling can drastically reduce the development time of an implant or a sports device. The descriptive differential equations can now be solved with appropriate numerical methods, and parameter variations or optimizations can be performed in the shortest time thanks to available computing power. In the context of these lectures, the theoretical foundations will be developed, providing an overview of the most common numerical methods for solving mechanical problems. Additionally, a further focus will be placed on their application to practical issues, recognizing the limits of applicability, and interpreting the results.

    **Course Topics:**
    - Development of the finite element method for 1D problems
    - Investigation of convergence behavior
    - Application of the finite element method using commercial software for 3D problems
    - Outlook on nonlinear problems
    - Time integration schemes and their stability, with simple applications to the human musculoskeletal system
    - Accompaniment of topics with practical examples and exercises
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
  • The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.
Work placement(s)
  • none

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