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Biomedical Engineering
Spring 2010

Course Overview

In this course, which is taught in English, students learn about example biomedical applications in the areas of electronic implants (ECG signal analysis for cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators) and electronic healthcare (breathing analysis for sleep apnea diagnosis and skin cancer detection). Students are then introduced to widely used signal and image processing software (MATLAB). In four projects, students will apply their knowledge to practical and interesting biomedical signal and image processing problems:

• Heartbeat detection using electrical signals from the heart
• Detecting breathing rhythms
• Detecting skin changes in images
• Matching skin regions taken at different times

Course Goals

• Learn about applications in the areas of electronic implants and electronic healthcare
• Be able to develop simple biomedical signal/image processing and analysis algorithms with MATLAB
• Improve English comprehension skills

Course Requirements

• Some previous MATLAB (or Octave) experience is useful but not required.
• We use MATLAB in this course, i.e., students need to bring their notebook computers with MATLAB installed to every class. For more information (installation, useful commands, tips) refer to my MATLAB web page.
• Students do not have to buy a text book.
• Students have to hand in four written reports and take two exams (for further information see below).

Course Location and Time

• Location: Room 509, Quellgasse 21, Biel
• Lecture time: Fridays, 14:20 - 15:55

News and Messages

• Sign up for the Swiss IEEE EMBS newsletter if you are interested in biomedical engineering events.

Course Dates, Topics, Files

The documents, animations, videos etc. on this page are copyright protected. They can be used for teaching purposes only. Please do not distribute them. Note: To access the following documents, a password is required.

01) February 26, 2010, CW 08
Electrical signals from the heart, pacemakers, defibrillators, detection of heartbeats, course overview
Files: presentation (updated on Feb. 27 with a few explanation slides with light blue frame), problem set

xx) March 5, 2010, CW 09
Excursion to Burgdorf to attend the innnovation award ceremony; registration possible until February 26; further information (map, train schedule, etc.)

02) March 12, 2010, CW 10
Programming project 1

03) March 19, 2010, CW 11
Programming project 1 continued

04) March 26, 2010, CW 12
Application 2

xx) April 2, 2010, CW 13
No class due to Good Friday

05) April 9, 2010, CW 14
Programming project 2

06) April 16, 2010, CW 15
Programming project 2 continued

07) April 23, 2010, CW 16
Midterm exam

08) April 30, 2010, CW 17
Application 3

09) May 7, 2010, CW 18
Programming project 3

10) May 14, 2010, CW 19
Programming project 3 continued

11) May 21, 2010, CW 20
Application 4

12) May 28, 2010, CW 21
Programming project 4

13) June 4, 2010, CW 22
Programming project 4 continued

14) June 11, 2010, CW 23
Final exam

Project Reports

• Four reports are required.
• Each report can be done by one student or two students together; groups of three or more are not allowed.
• Reports are to be handed in on paper in class.
• Deadlines:
  • Report 1 due March 26, 2010, 14:30
  • Report 2 due April 23, 2010, 14:30
  • Report 3 due May 28, 2010, 14:30
  • Report 4 due June 11, 2010, 14:30
• For each report, 0, 1, or 2 points are given.
  • If a report is handed in after the corresponding deadline without prior arrangement or medical certificate, one point will be subtracted.
• Each report counts for 5 % of the overall grade.
• Finally, here is a not so serious guide on how to write a report.

Exams

• There will be two written exams. No aids are allowed.
• The exam questions will be in English.
• Students can write in English, German, or French.
• Each exam counts for 40 % of the overall grade.
• Relevant for the exams are:
  • Topics covered in class
  • Slides of the presentations
  • Problem sets
• Midterm exam:
  • Date: April 23, 2010, Time: 14:20-15:05
  • Relevant topics: week 1 ... week 6 (April 16, 2010)
• Final exam:
  • Date: June 11, 2010, Time: 14:20-15:05
  • Relevant topics: week 8 ... week 13 (June 4, 2010)

Course Grading

02/2010