In the first semester, students learn fundamental methods, techniques and workflows for digital 3D modelling and animation. These skills are then built on by most students in their Semester 3 dissertation projects - with students applying their skills to chosen project within a wide range of possible topics - from microbiology through to gross anatomy. Student projects in years past have ranged from modelling the protein structures of individual viruses, through human organs or even modelling large mammals.
Example projects here include:
Sara Bakalchuk – Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
In collaboration with Terumo Aortic, this MSc project provide a mobile application populated with interactive models which showcase the key features of Terumo Aortic Relay proximal scalloped stent graft, and how it is utilized to in Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) surgeries to create a seal and exclude the aneurysm, while also allowing for profusion to the branch vessels. This application is intended to be shown to clinicians and other professionals at healthcare conferences.
Niamh Mundy - The Digital Dolphin
The digital dolphin is an android app that consists of a series of 3D anatomically accurate 3D models that demonstrate the structure and function of the thoracic anatomy of a harbour porpoise.
Agni Papamanoli - 3D Glomerulopathy
Glomerular disease is an important aspect of undergraduate Pathology coursework, consistently taught during the first years of medical school throughout the world. Despite the popularity of technology-enhanced tools and three-dimensional educational materials in the teaching of macroscopic anatomy – and the reported positive results on student satisfaction and knowledge acquisition – there is a persisting shortage of similar tools and research for microscopic anatomy, and specialised fields like Renal Pathology. At the same time, emerging Digital and 3D Pathology workflows allow for unprecedented accuracy in the creation of 3D models, which, when applied to the development of educational tools, has the potential to reduce cognitive load, by facilitating spatial cognition and mental representation.