It is preferred that each student select a subject they find interesting first, and then perform literature searches for appropriate models, rather than simply finding any model. This way, the biological relevance of the material is clear, and the search method is structured. These models can come from original papers or book chapters. Students should decide on a topic (above) by XXX (date) and inform the TA via email so that there is no overlap.

Success with the project highly depends on the selection of a model that can be taught within the allotted time and that the audience can understand.

This means that highly esoteric subjects are strongly discouraged. In fact, it is most desirable for students to select models that demonstrate or reinforce basic principles of continuum mechanics. These do not have to be recent models. Some of the best sources of material come from papers published over 40 years ago as well as book chapters. As you begin your search, inform the TA of your topic choice, and he will guide you in finding the appropriate references. Also keep in mind that this is not a trivial quest. Many of the papers are not in the library proper, but in storage. Additionally, you will be making many trips to the library before you find an appropriate model to teach. Again, the TA will help you determine whether or not the model is appropriate. Thus, you should begin with this search as soon as possible and interact with the TA during your search to maximize the efficiency of this process.

This assignment aims to help you plan your lecture. There are several key questions that you need to address when developing the outline. What is the impetus for using the model? What are the relevant equations that need to be included or derived? What are the basic assumptions? What are the boundary conditions? What are the salient conclusions of the model? How can it be applied? This should be about 3-5 pages long, and show the basic steps in deriving the model and its use.

The written report is due on the first day of student lectures. This report should include all of the lecture content (spoken content such as general introduction, basic explanations, etc., as well as written content such as equations, derivations, boundary conditions, assumptions, etc) with the relevant references. Journal references should include the author(s), title, date, pages, and journal name. Book references should include the publisher and publication city, in addition to this information. The report should flow in the same manner that your lecture will. This is essentially a typed version of your lecture, which you can use when giving the lecture. More specific details than those in the lecture about the derivation of your model can be included in the typed report if applicable.

The lecture should be designed so that the students and instructors of the class can learn continuum mechanics as applied to a biomechanics topic. Thus, your objective is to teach this subject. There should be a clear distinction between teaching a subject and presenting a paper. Paper presentations are not wanted.

Your only tools will be the white board and dry-erase markers. You may refer to your own typed notes as well. Success in this part of the project will be determined by how well the lecture is organized, how well you explain the material verbally and in written form, the relevance of the material to biomechanics, and your general presentation style (stance, handwriting, voice projection, tone, time management, etc).

The lecture should include a brief introduction that describes the motivation of the material, derive the most relevant equations, state basic assumptions and boundary conditions, and show the salient conclusions and applications. You will quickly find out that the derivation of every equation is not possible (or desirable). Emphasis should be placed on key concepts, especially as they relate to topics previously covered in class. At the end of the lecture, students and instructors should have a grasp of the most important aspects of the model derivation, the model’s significance, and how to apply the model.

After the lecture has been delivered, the student is expected to hand out one problem that can be answered based on the content of the student’s lecture and previous material. The homework will be graded by the lecturer, who will email the TA the class grades. These grades will be factored into your overall homework average for the semester. The student assigned homework problems will be combined at the end to count as one homework grade. In the end, this homework grade will account for 1/6 of your homework average.