Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

Minimum English language to IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Satisfy progression or admissions requirement for entry to MEng Honours or MSc programme (or EU Bologna-compliant equivalent).

Aims

This course aims to develop a deep understanding of the principles of bioelectronics and their increasing importance to modern medical electronics. The course will cover two main domains :

(1)       Human bioelectronics:
This part of the course aims to cover the electrochemical operation of cells and how that leads to electrical activity. How the cells transmit information and how they can be stimulated through electrical, chemical optical (and potentially magnetic, ultrasonic) mechanisms.


(2)       Bioelectronic medical circuits and systems.
This part of the course aims to cover the key devices and circuits used in biomedical circuits and how they can be brought together into a functional medical system.

The course comprises of lectures which are augmented by lab practical’s and small group tutorials to reinforce student information. Throughout the course, in addition to the technical content, important issues such as ethics, risk analysis and diversity are discussed, as well as their importance in medical device design and regulation.

Outline Of Syllabus

1.       Human bioelectronics:
Considers the key aspects of bioelectronics from a human and biological perspective. It includes Human bioelectronics and failure, electrochemistry of cellular bioelectronics, The action potential, inter-neuron transmission, optogenetics, and some basic neural coding. It will also provide some fundamentals of bio-signal sensing, electrical-neural stimulus, and optical communication with cells.


2.       Bioelectronic medical circuits and systems.
Considers the implementation of bioelectronics into circuits and systems. It includes an overview of the definition of “bioelectronics”, then, devices, transistors to amplifiers, Core bioelectronic circuits, how to traverse the analog and digital domains, implantable communications, implant control methodologies, implant power management, and biocompatibility. It will also provide some examples of biomedical systems.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The course aims to understand the bioelectronic architecture of the human body and how to develop bioelectronic interventions in the medical domain. The specific knowledge learning outcomes according to AHEP4 (Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes 4th Edition) are as follows:

M1: Science, mathematics and engineering principles: The student will develop a comprehensive knowledge of bioelectronics engineering principles and mathematics. He/she will be able to apply these concepts to the solution of complex problems in biomedical engineering. The knowledge gained will be at the forefront of the field, specifically emphasising implantable electronics. This outcome will be assessed by the final exam.

M2: Problem analysis: The student will be able to formulate and analyse complex problems in the bioelectronics field to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using engineering first principles, using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, and discussing the limitations of the techniques employed. This outcome is assessed by the final exam.
M6: Integrated/systems approach: The student will be able to design solutions for complex biomedical problems that require a combination of societal, user, business and patient needs. The student will be made aware that modern medical devices require the application of health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, and commercial matters considerations, and regulatory oversight. The technical aspects of this will be assessed by the final exam.

M9: Risk: The student will be made aware of the importance of risk assessment and how it is the basis for medical device regulation. This outcome is not formally assessed.

M11 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: The student will be made aware of how the historic lack of diversity in the biomedical industry has led (and continues to lead) to engineering mistakes. Similarly, having diverse test sets are increasingly important to AI-enhanced medical devices. This outcome is not formally assessed.

M13: Materials, equipment, technologies and processes: The student will be made aware of the importance of different materials, such as electrode dielectrics/metals, during the course. They will learn how to apply and choose appropriate materials for given device designs. This outcome is assessed by the final exam.

Intended Skill Outcomes

In addition to the course knowledge, this module specifically aims to develop students' practical skills through lab work. The specific skills learning outcomes according to AHEP4 (Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes 4th Edition) are as follows:

M3: Analytical Tools and Techniques: The student will learn how to select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model biomedical circuits. Specifically, this course will provide practical experience with circuit simulation tools such as LTSpice. This outcome is assessed by continuous assessment in the form of laboratory activity.

M12: Practical and workshop skills: The student will learn how to utilise electronic equipment in the lab to acquire bio-signals from the human body. Similarly, the student will learn how to create a biomedical printed circuit board to measure heart function. This outcome is assessed by continuous assessment in the form of laboratory activity.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures:
This course will have 14 x 2 hours in-class interactive lectures to provide the core theoretical content.

Tutorials:
2x tutorials will be provided in exam format so that students can understand from an early point what the exam questions will look like. Students will be provided with exemplar answers post-tutorial. These will be performed in small groups with students split up into small groups of 3 or 4 students so that they can work as a team. Students will also be provided with 2x self study tutorials to support lecture review and self-learning.

Lab work:
The practical labs are is important to reinforce the understanding from the theoretical lectures and assess students’ ability to apply the knowledge they have received in real-world applications. As such, there will be a first3 hour lab exercise will be formative, and the second one will contribute to the final mark for the module. Each lab will be 3 hours long and assessed during the lab on the basis of how many of the goals have been achieved within the 3 hours.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The cohort who study the Bioelectronics module are primarily from the MSc Biomedical Engineering. These have a very varied background – some have studied electronics, some chemistry and some biology. As such, it is important to ensure there are exercises that give this broad spectrum of students an intuitive understanding of the course material.

Specific assessment rationale:
Exam:
Exams are an important method of determining student knowledge. The following AHEP4 categories will be assessed in the exam:
M1: Science, mathematics and engineering principles
M2: Problem analysis:
M6: Integrated/systems approach:
M13: Materials, equipment, technologies and processes:


Lab exercises:
The practical lab is important to reinforce the understanding from the theoretical lectures and and assess students’ ability to apply the knowledge they have received in real-world applications. As such, there will be a 3 hour lab exercise.As such, the following AHEP4 caterogires assessment by continuous assessment
M3: Analytical Tools and Techniques:
M12: Practical and workshop skills:

General Notes

N/A