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Unit outline_

BMET5959: Introduction to Biophotonics

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

Biophotonics is rapidly evolving multidisciplinary field using optics and photonics to reveal biological mechanisms and develop new light-based technologies for medical diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of diseases, including sensors. The intrinsic sensitivity of biological tissues to light because of elastic and inelastic interactions, combined with the development of the laser, optical components and sophisticated detector have accelerated the development of the field of biophotonics. Understanding the interaction of light with biological molecules, cells and tissues has the potential to develop next-generation novel diagnosis and non-invasive therapies for a range of diseases. The objective of this unit is to provide students with knowledge to understand and learn the fundamentals of light interaction with biological species, the preclinical and clinical applications of biomedical optical diagnosis, therapies and sensing and the instrumentation.

Unit details and rules

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

[BMET2903 or BMET9903] and [ELEC1103 or ELEC2100 or BMET2902]

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ken Tye Yong, ken.yong@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Ken Tye Yong, ken.yong@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Zhenxu Yang, zhenxu.yang@sydney.edu.au
Morning Liu, xiaochen.liu@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
In-person paper and pen assessments
25% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz Tutorial quiz
Multiple Choice Questions and Free Responses
10% Multiple weeks 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO2
Assignment Biophotonics Lab Report
Biophotonics Lab Report on Wave Optics Simulation
25% Week 07
Due date: 14 Apr 2024 at 23:59
Submission on Week 7
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Biophotonics Research Report
Biophotonics Research Report - Critical Research Reviews
25% Week 11
Due date: 12 May 2024 at 23:59
Submission on Week 11.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation group assignment Group Presentation
Group presentation - Biophotonics Creative Presentation
15% Week 13 15 minutes presentation + 5 minutes Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

  • Toturial quiz (10%): Students are required to complete an online quiz. Each quiz will assess students’ understanding of lecture content.
  • Group presentation (15%): Group assignment requiring students to develop a creative presentation to the class.
  • Assignment 1 (25%): Critical literature review on a specific topic in biophotonics.
  • Assignment 2 (25%):  Lab report on COMSOL simulation in wave and optics.
  • Final exam (25%): Free response and calculation-based questions covering lecture content. 

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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

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.

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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:

5% per day

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 Introduction to Biophotonics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Fundamental of Light and Matter Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 03 Basics of Light-Matter Interactions Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 04 Principles of Lasers and Current Laser Technology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Photobiology Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Photobiology Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Optical Bioimaging: Principles and Applications Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Optical Bioimaging: Principles and Applications Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Diagnosis with Light Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Optical Biosensors Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Tissue Engineering with Light Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Biophotonics Applications: Photodynamic Therapy Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Biophotonics Applications: Biomaterials for Biophotonics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Optogenetics and Neurophotonics Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Revision & Group Presentations Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Class attendance is required.

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

Introduction to Biophotonics

Prasad, P. N. (2003). Introduction to biophotonics. Wiley-Interscience.

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. Engineering/ IT Specialisation (Level 3) A) Discuss the current state and recent developments in the field of biophotonics; B) Apply and integrate engineering principles to biophotonics
  • LO2. Problem Solving and Inventiveness (Level 3) A) Evaluate and assess the current challenges in biophotonics; B) Create novel biophotonics-based solutions to address current unmet clinical/research needs or to address limitations of current solutions
  • LO3. Design (Level 3) A) Formulate new designs for nano/micro devices to address unmet needs in the biomedical sector; B) Devise solutions taking financial and technical feasibility, as well as clinical considerations into account when designing solutions
  • LO4. Interdisciplinary, Inclusiveness, Influence (Level 3) A) Appreciate and recognize the interdisciplinary nature of the field of biophotonics, whereby concepts from a wide range of areas including materials science, human biology, chemistry and physics are brought together.
  • LO5. Communication and Inquiry/ Research (Level 2) A) Employ techniques for effective oral and written communication of the concepts and knowledge underlining the background science and engineering applications of biophotonics; B) Identify, obtain, and analyze information using appropriate search strategies to gain in-depth knowledge and current advances in devices used in biophotonics.
  • LO6. Professional Effectiveness and Ethical Conduct (Level 2) A) Employ professional techniques and activities such as assigning tasks, managing time, meeting deadlines, and communicating with their colleagues in a professional manner.

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.

a practical computational lab component has been added to complement the theoretical aspect of the course.

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.