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Unit outline_

BMET3802: Biomedical Instrumentation

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit assumes a knowledge of basic principles in physics, mathematics, circuit theory and electronics. In particular, some understanding of the following is required: Thevenins and Nortons theorems, Fourier analysis, radiation, filtering, bipolar and field effect transistors, and operational amplifiers. The following topics are covered. Biology of the heart, circulatory and respiratory systems, physiology of nerve and muscle cells, fundamental organization of the brain and spinal cord. Medical instrumentation. ElectrocardioGram and automated diagnosis. Heart pacemakers and defibrillators. The bionic ear. Apparatus for treatment of sleep disordered breathing(sleep apnoea). Medical imaging and signal processing This unit is descriptive and does not require detailed knowledge of electronics or mathematics, but does require an understanding of some key aspects of mathematical and electronic theory. The unit concentrates on some of the practical applications of biomedical engineering to patient diagnosis and treatment.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ELEC3802 or ELEC8882 or BMET9802
Assumed knowledge
? 

A knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and electrical circuits is required: Ohm's law, Thevenin's and Norton's theorems, basic circuit theory involving linear resistors, capacitors and inductors, operational amplifiers.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Alistair McEwan, alistair.mcewan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Lab report
Written report highlighting individual work.
35% Multiple weeks Lab report on all laboratory work.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Group project
Group project reports and presentation
35% Multiple weeks semester long
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Small test Quiz 1
Quiz on weeks 1-3
10% Week 04 up to 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Quiz 2
Quiz on weeks 4-6
10% Week 07 up to 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Small test Quiz 3
Quiz on weeks 7-9
10% Week 10 up to 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Group assignment with individually assessed component = group assignment with individually assessed component ?

Assessment summary

Quizzes: complete multiple choice and short answer questions on previous 3 weeks.

Lab report: written report on all lab work and group design project highlighting individual effort and contribution.

Group presentation: presentation of group design project with individual assessment towards contribution and role in the group.

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of a high quality is submitted for all learning outcomes. 

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a high quality is submitted for most learning outcomes and all learning outcomes of the unit are met to a satisfactory standard. 

Credit

65 - 74

All learning outcomes of the unit are met to a satisfactory standard. 

Pass

50 - 64

Most learning outcomes of the unit are met to a satisfactory standard.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 02 Biopotential amplifiers Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Bioimpedance and electrodes Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Cardiac pacing and defibrillation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 05 Cardiac output, flow sensors Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 06 EMG and Neuromuscular stimulation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Respiration Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 08 Ventilation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 09 Electrosurgery Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 10 Optical sensing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 11 Power transfer Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 12 Electrochemical sensors Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 13 Magnetic sensing Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Weekly Biomedical Instrumentation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

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.

Required readings

Bronzino&Peterson: Medical Devices and Human Engineering https://www-taylorfrancis-com.ezproxy.library.sydney.edu.au/books/mono/10.1201/9781351228671/medical-devices-human-engineering-joseph-bronzino-donald-peterson

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. Practice basic circuit theory at a level suitable for use with medical instrumentation; practice signal processing and pattern recognition methods at a basic level for medical image analysis.
  • LO2. Complete experiments using a clearly defined approach, employ various medical instrumentation for measurements, and practice diagnosis.
  • LO3. Describe medical instrumentation, explain the principles of biomedical signal processing and medical imaging to the extent of the material presented.
  • LO4. Apply technical principles and methodologies throughout the course to implement appropriate quality control procedures in the development of biomedical engineering lab experiments.
  • LO5. Write lab reports to convey complex and technical data in clear and concise terms, and argue persuasively the approach and results obtained in light of the problem or task assigned and the adopted methodology.
  • LO6. Practice to work in a team, act diverse roles and responsibilities, show initiative and leadership, as well as receptiveness to various contributions and viewpoints to reach a multilateral consensus in the approach and results of lab experiments.

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.

Better organisation of lectures and tutorials. Updated and clear assessments.

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.