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CM2014 Simulation Methods in Medical Engineering 7.5 credits

Administer About course

Modeling and simulation play an important role and have developed into indispensable disciplines in many fields, including Medical Engineering. This course aims at providing a comprehensive introduction to the methods and theory of medical simulations, covering finite element methods (FEM) for biomechanics simulations; medical imaging simulation methods; various methods (systems dynamic modeling, discrete event simulations, agent-based modeling) that have applications on mechanistic modeling of disease, treatment, epidemiology, healthcare systems and processes, logistics and much more; molecular simulations; CFD for fluid and climate technology; surgical and haptic simulations. Despite different simulation methods, all have mathematics behind, and an understanding of differential equations is warranted.

Information per course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Termin

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus CM2014 (Spring 2025–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus CM2014 (Spring 2025–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Modeling and simulation play an important role and have developed into indispensable disciplines in many fields, including Medical Engineering. This course aims at providing a comprehensive introduction to the methods and theory of medical simulations, covering the following topics:

Finite element methods (FEM) for biomechanics simulations

Medical imaging simulation methods (ultrasound and ionizing radiation imaging) 

Methods that have applications in mechanistic modeling of disease, treatment, epidemiology, healthcare systems and processes, logistics etc., including 

  • Systems dynamic modeling and simulation
  • Discrete event simulations
  • Agent-based modeling

Molecular simulations 

CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) for fluid and climate technology

Surgical and haptic simulations

Despite different simulation methods, all have mathematics behind, and an understanding of differential equations is warranted

Intended learning outcomes

After passing the course, the student should be able to

  • Understand the rationale behind medical simulations and what societal challenges could be solved with medical simulations 
  • Describe the key concepts and theoretical background in medical simulations 
  • Derive and explain some fundamental mathematical models in medical simulations  
  • Solve basic differential equations (analytically and numerically) of relevance in medical simulations 
  • Critically analyze and discuss the plausibility of the simulation results 

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Completed degree project 15 credits, 15 credits mathematics, 5 credits computer science or programming. English B/6.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratory work, 4.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Written exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

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Examiner

Profile picture Svein Kleiven

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

CBH/Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems

Main field of study

Medical Engineering

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Xiaogai Li (xiaogai@kth.se)