BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING - 2023/4
Module code: ENG3168
Module Overview
A biomedical engineer must have a qualitative understanding of the importance of biomedical signal processing. Furthermore, the student should be able to apply fundamental signal processing concepts quantitatively to biomedical engineering problems. This module builds a basic understanding of signal processing concepts relevant to biomedical engineering.
Module provider
Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Module Leader
ABASOLO Daniel (Mech Eng Sci)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 93
Lecture Hours: 13
Tutorial Hours: 22
Captured Content: 22
Module Availability
Semester 1
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
Completion of the progress requirements of Level FHEQ5.
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Biomedical Signals. Origin and characteristics
- Biomedical Signal Acquisition
- Linear Time-invariant systems. Convolution
- Spectral analysis of biomedical signals. The Fourier transform, the periodogram, Welch’s method and parametric and non-parametric methods
- Filter design and noise removal
- Time-frequency analysis of biomedical signals. The spectrogram
- Wavelet analysis of biomedical signals. The Continuous Wavelet Transform and the Discrete Wavelet Transform
- Non-linear analysis of biomedical signals. Chaos theory, fractals, and other non-linear signal processing algorithms
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | COURSEWORK | 30 |
| Examination | EXAM (2 HOURS) | 70 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of biomedical signal processing methods as well as the ability to analyse time-domain and frequency-domain characteristics of different biomedical signals. The coursework assignment allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of filters, and time-domain, frequency-domain and time-frequency signal processing techniques. The coursework assignment also tests report writing skills as well as the students’ ability to comment critically on their results and present them to specialist and non-specialist audiences. The final examination tests the deeper understanding of the different biomedical signal processing methods presented in the module, including open-ended questions asking the students to come up with possible signal processing options for real-life biomedical engineering problems.
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Coursework [Learning outcomes 2, 3, 6, 7]
- Examination [Learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5, 6]
Formative assessment and feedback
- Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials
- Formative Multiple Choice Tests are available on SurreyLearn to give feedback on the understanding of biomedical signal processing techniques
- Extensive written feedback is given on the coursework assessment
Module aims
- An introduction to biomedical signals and biomedical signal acquisition
- A systematic understanding and critical awareness of the importance of biomedical signal processing as an essential component of knowledge for a Biomedical Engineer
- A comprehensive understanding of the importance of noise and their sources
- A systematic understanding of spectral analysis techniques and their advantages and disadvantages
- An introduction to time-frequency analysis and its need in biomedical signal processing
- An introduction to wavelet analysis in biomedical signal processing
- An introduction to chaos theory, fractals and non-linear analysis and their application in biomedical signal processing
- An introduction to biomedical signal processing with Matlab
- An introduction to linear time invariant systems
- An introduction to filter design and its need in biomedical signal processing
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Identify the origin and characteristics of biomedical signals | K | C1 |
| 002 | Propose remedial action for different sources of noise | KC | C1, C2 |
| 003 | Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different spectral analysis methods, being able to understand the importance of the appropriate selection of input parameters | KC | C1, C3 |
| 005 | Evaluate the adequacy of different signal processing techniques for biomedical signal analysis | KCP | C4, C5 |
| 006 | Interpret the nature of physical processes and pathological conditions based on observations of biomedical signals to evaluate the usefulness of biomedical signal processing in a clinical context | KCP | C2, C/M8, C17 |
| 007 | Develop the computer programming skills to write basic programs in Matlab for biomedical signal processing | PT | C3 |
| 004 | Identify the advantages and disadvantages of wavelets and non-linear analysis methods | KC | C1, C3 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
Introduce basic biomedical signal processing principles through theory with worked examples. This is delivered principally through lectures and tutorial classes. In the latter, students will have to write Matlab scripts and functions for the analysis of biomedical signals. Learning would be reinforced with the application of the biomedical signal processing principles to real biomedical signals in a coursework assignment.
The learning and teaching methods include:
- 2 hour pre-recorded materials per week x 11 weeks
- 1 hour lecture per week x 11 weeks
- 2 hour Matlab-based tutorials x 11 weeks
- 2 hour revision lecture
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG3168
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons) | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Engineering BEng (Hons) | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Engineering MEng | 1 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Mechanical Engineering MEng | 1 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.