Skip to main content
Unit outline_

BMET5957: Bioelectronic Medicine Circuits and Systems

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit is focused on the emergent and highly interdisciplinary field of electroceuticals as an alternative to pharmaceutical therapeutics. Biomedical devices, circuits and systems employ electrical, magnetic, optical, ultrasound, or other pulses to modulate peripheral nerves for target- and organ-specific effects. We want to understand: What is electroceutical therapy? How bioelectronic medicine could replace drugs? What are the benefits and side effects of electroceuticals in terms of safety, efficacy, and cost compared with pharmaceutical therapeutics?, and How a future bioelectrician works with clinician and conventional clinical practice? This unit aims to build complementary capabilities in design and simulation of circuits and systems for bioelectronic medicine interfaces. Students review, learn, design, simulate and implement test platforms for circuits and systems that enable bioelectronic treatments. Students will be equipped with knowledge on how to make more targeted and personalised treatments for neurological based diseases and conditions with a focus on closed-loop control systems. Students are expected to perform research on circuit implementation for different applications such as pain relief, bionic eye, pace makers. The unit also provides a deep overview on the roadmap of technologies and future trends in bioelectronic medicine and electroceuticals.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

ELEC2104 and BMET2922

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Omid Kavehei, omid.kavehei@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Omid Kavehei, omid.kavehei@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam hurdle task Final Exam
40% of the total. Must achieve 40 or above to pass the course
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO6
Participation Participation and Engagement (Lab)
Participation and engagement in the course's Labs
5% Ongoing entire semester
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Online task Design Exercise 1 (Lab) - Quiz 1
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 05 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Online task Design Exercise 1 (Lab) - Quiz 2
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 06 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Topics week 1-6 topics (may vary)
10% Week 07 50 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO6
Online task Design Exercise 1 (Lab) - Quiz 3
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 07 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Online task Design Exercise 2 (Lab) - Quiz 1
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 08 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Design Exercise 2 (Lab) - Quiz 2
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 09 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Online task Design Exercise 2 (Lab) - Quiz 3
Online quiz in-lab
5% Week 10 15-20 minutes at the end of the Lab
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Presentation competition of added features and research on either of design challenges (1 or 2)
Teams research and added features for their Design Exercise 1 or 2 (in-lab)
5% Week 12 15 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
Topics week 7-11 topics (may vary)
10% Week 12 50 mins
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

Details of each assessment can be found on Canvas.

  • Quiz 1: Covers the stated lecture topic of week 1-6 topics (this may vary slightly). This is online and on Canvas.
  • Quiz 2: Covers the stated lecture topic of week 7-12 topics (this may vary slightly). This is online and on Canvas.
  • Lab quizzes each carries 5 marks and conducted at the end of Labs online via Canvas. This is only conducted for Design Exercises 1 and 2 sessions. 
  • Research presentation on added features and research on either of design challenges (1 or 2)
  • Participation and engagement in labs will be required and assessed. This worth 5% of the total mark. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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
Multiple weeks Previous lecture topics review, relevant textbook studies, previous practical material review, and next practical material study. Individual study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Course Introduction and medical devices overview Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Introduction to tools Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 Sensor and Transducers Part 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Introduction to tools Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Sensor and Transducers Part 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Introduction to tools Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Week 04 Signal filtering and amplification Part 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Pulse oximeter front-end Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Signal filtering and amplification Part 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Signal filtering and amplification Part 3 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Data acquisition and signal processing Part 1 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Data acquisition and signal processing Part 2 Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 ECG and EEG Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Wireless wearables and implants Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Design experiment/challenge 2 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Safety of medical instruments and devices and review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Presentation competition of added features and research on either of design challenges (1 or 2) Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Course and exam review Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Review of design experiments/challenges and presentations Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of all timetabled activities.

See the Faculty resolutions for more information:

https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/engineering/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Attendance in labs (practical sessions) are required and will be assessed.

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

Prescribed textbook:

– Principles of Biomedical Instrumentation. Andrew G. Webb, Cambridge University Press, 2018

–Suggested textbook:

–– Circuits and Electronics: Hands-on Learning with Analog Discovery, John Okyere Attia, CRC Press, 2018

–– Foundations of Analog and Digital Electronic Circuits, Anant Agarwal, Jeffrey Lang, 2005

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. understand and communicate the principles of operation of biomedical microsystems and circuits.
  • LO2. understand and communicate the application of biomedical microsystems in sensing and stimulation context.
  • LO3. work together in small groups to carry out a prescribed task and present the outcomes in an oral, written or video format.
  • LO4. create one or more printed circuit boards with provided guidelines and necessary simulations and understanding the context, as well as components, to allow focused problem solving and inventiveness.
  • LO5. design and simulation of wireless power transfer and energy harvesting.
  • LO6. apply engineering principles to answer questions relating to biomedical microsystem circuits and systems both recording and stimulation in an online or offline quizzes, assignments, and/or exams format within or outside the dedicated time for lectures and/or practical sessions.

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.

First time delivery

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.