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Unit outline_

BMET2902: Introduction to Bioelectronics

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit aims to provide a foundation for biomedical engineering students on the fundamentals of circuit analysis as it relates to electrophysiology and electrophysiological systems. This unit will also introduce the concepts of impedance and electric field measurements as they relate to biological circuits and bioelectronic systems.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12cp 1000-level MATH units of study
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ELEC1103 OR ELEC2100
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Daria Anderson, daria.anderson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Daria Anderson, daria.anderson@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Combination of problem solving and open-ended questions on course topics.
30% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Small continuous assessment Tutorial assessments
Solve electrical circuits, model bioelectricity, medical device problems
20% Multiple weeks 2 hours per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Participation Tutorial activity
Participation in small activity during tutorial.
2.5% Multiple weeks 10-15 minute activity during tutorial.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Laboratory worksheets
Worksheets for laboratories 1, 2, 3, and 5
15% Multiple weeks 3 hours per week
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small continuous assessment Pre-lab quizzes
Short multiple choice quiz done at the start of each lab (5 in total).
2.5% Multiple weeks 5-min canvas quiz before lab activity.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Mid-semester test
Mid-semester test
15% Week 05
Due date: 19 Mar 2024 at 12:00
60 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2
Assignment Lab 4 lab report
Formal lab report write-up of Lab 4.
15% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59
4-page group lab report write-up.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Tutorial assessments: Top 6/7 individual submissions will be scored in this assessment.

Tutorial activities: Full marks for each tutorial activity is given if the student participates regardless of performance. If a student is not present for the tutorial activity, a score of 0 will be given for that week. Participation in at least 5/7 tutorial activities is required for full marks in this category, accounting up to 2.5% of the total mark.

Laboratory worksheets: 4 group worksheets will be scored in this assessment.

Lab 4 lab report: 1 group lab report in IEEE 4-page paper format will be scored in this assessment

Prelab quizzes: 5 individual pre-lab quizzes are worth 0.5% each totalling 2.5% of the total mark. If a student is not present at the start of lab when the prelab quiz is adminstered, a score of 0 for that quiz will be recieved.

For submitted group work, SPARKPlus will be used to collect self and peer assessment to evaluate a team member's contribution and may be used to convert group marks into individual marks. Students deemed to have done very little and have made an extremely poor contribution to the group work will be regarded as non-contributors and will receive a mark 0 for the submitted group work (see Canvas for details on each group assessment/assignment)

Assessment criteria

Result name Mark range Description
High distinction 85-100 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction 75-84 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit 65-74 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass 50 - 64 Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail 0 - 49 When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A late penalty of 5% per day late (or part thereof) will be applied. After 10 days, a mark of zero will be given unless special consideration has been received.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 What is bioelectricity? Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Basic circuit elements and techniques of circuit analysis 1 Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO2
Week 03 Basic circuit elements and techniques of circuit analysis 2 Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO2
Week 04 Additional passive circuit elements and an introduction to building filters Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Introduction to circuits laboratory Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Active circuit elements (diodes, semiconductors, and op amps) Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 05 Mid-semester quiz Lecture and tutorial (2.5 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 06 Neurons, synapses, axons, nerve propagation and their electrical models 1 Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Active circuit components and building active filters Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Human electrophysiological recording laboratory Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Neurons, synapses, axons, nerve propagation and their electrical models 2 Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Plant electrophysiological recording laboratory Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Tissue and solid-electrolyte interface models Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Foundations of electrical stimulation Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Electrophysiological recording and stimulation laboratory Science laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Power, energy and tissue safety Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Computational modelling laboratory Simulation laboratory (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Foundations of biosignal measurements Lecture and tutorial (3.5 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance to lectures and tutorials are highly recommended. Attendance to labs is mandatory, and without attendance, no assessment can be submitted.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Describe the fundamentals of bioelectricity
  • LO2. Explain and analyse electrical circuitry in the context of physiological and non-physiological models
  • LO3. Demonstrate knowledge of how electricity interacts with various tissues in the body
  • LO4. Explain the fundamentals of computational models of bioelectricity
  • LO5. Learn laboratory skills (experiment running, data collection and analysis) associated with bioelectricity
  • LO6. Demonstrate knowledge of how foundations of electrical engineering apply to current and future medical devices

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Based on feedback from the USS survey, tutorial sessions have been expanded from 1 hour to 1.5 hours to enable more face-to-face time with students during tutorials. Additionally, the organisation of content has been restructured to better connect the content across the electronics-focused lectures and biology-focused lectures.

Work, health and safety

Follow any lab safety requirements for the lab as noted on Canvas.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.