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Description
Content:
The aim of this module is to apply the basic principles of fluid mechanics to the scientific understanding and modelling of fluid flow in physiological systems.
Most of the module is devoted to the study of the blood flow in the cardiovascular system, but other fluid flow systems in the body may be analysed.
The first part of the module provides an introduction to fluid mechanics and its application to simple biological and physiological problems. This starts with fundamentals of fluid mechanics, such as principles of mass and momentum conservations, and their applications will be explained using simple examples such as flow in straight blood vessels.
The second part of the module is aimed at computational fluid mechanical models and their application to real-world problems. This part includes basic physiology and pathology, and explanation on the key roles played by flow in those. Students will then learn how computational models could be effectively used to solve the problems, using state-of-the-art research examples. Applications to cardiovascular implantable devices such as artificial heart valves are also covered briefly.
Emphasis is placed on a physical rather than mathematical understanding of the relevant phenomena, to allow a realistic appraisal of flow dynamics in the body.
Teaching Delivery:
Usually a 2-hour lecture per week.
Indicative Topics:
- Cardiovascular physiology and disease
- Fundamentals of fluid mechanics
- Computational and theoretical modelling
- Cardiac fluid mechanics
- Flow measurement techniques
- Rheology
- Medical devices
Module Objectives:
The overarching aim of this module is to study the fluid flow in physiological systems, with special focus on human cardiovascular systems, by applying the basic principles of fluid mechanics. The students will learn fundamentals of fluid mechanics, basic cardiovascular physiology and its relevance to some diseases, computational modelling and real-world application of those.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.
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