Subject

Neuroscience Applied to Orthoprosthesis

  • code 13550
  • course 3
  • term Semester 1
  • type op
  • credits 6

Module: ELECTIVE

Matter: ELECTIVE

Main language of instruction: English

Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish

Timetable
 Sem.1  TU 16:00 18:00 P2A03
 Sem.1  TH 14:00 16:00 P2A03

Teaching staff

Introduction

In the event that the health authorities announce a new period of confinement due to the evolution of the health crisis caused by COVID-19, the teaching staff will promptly communicate how this may effect the teaching methodologies and activities as well as the assessment.

This multidisciplinary course is a meant for 3rd year Bioengineering BSc students with a particular
interest in aiding patients with next generation orthoprostheses. Our students will require
understanding of brain physiology, neurological interactions, (sub)conscious perceptions and the
application of orthoprostheses. The teaching language will be English. This course is a prequel of
Robotics courses, where the students will study the electronica and bionics part of prostheses.


The total course consists of 6 ECTs, with 4 lecture hours per week spread over 2 hours in 2 days.
After the first semester, an examination will take place in the second week of January 2021.

Pre-course requirements

Cellular and molecular biology

Anatomy and physiology 

Basic knowledge of Matlab programing.

Objectives

Understand the basis of the nervous system comunication

Improve the knowledge about the nervous system anatomy

Know and apply the different neuroimaging techniques to explore the nervous system

Apply all this knowledge on the experimental design of ortheoprothesis

Competences / Learning outcomes of the degree programme

  • CB4 - Students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • CE16 - To apply specific Bioengineering terminology both verbally and in writing in a foreign language.
  • CE17 - To be able to identify the engineering concepts that can be applied in the fields of biology and health.
  • CE20 - To be capable of devising experimentation systems to measure the intrinsic physical and chemical properties of biological materials of human origin.
  • CE7 - To know how to recognise anatomy and physiology when applied to the structures Bioengineering involves.
  • CE8 - To hold a dialogue based on critical thinking on ideas connected to the main dimensions of the human being
  • CG3 - To be able to learn new methods and theories and be versatile so as to adapt to new situations.
  • CG4 - To resolve problems based on initiative, be good at decision-making, creativity, critical reasoning and communication, as well as the transmission of knowledge, skills and prowess in the field of Bioengineering
  • CT5 - To use information sources in a reliable manner. To manage the acquisition, structuring, analysis and visualisation of data and information in your specialist area and critically evaluate the results of this management.

Learning outcomes of the subject

  • To acquire knowledge about basic principles of neurobiology and neuron communication

  • To acquire knowledge about the neuroanatomy of the nervous system

  • To understand and develop a rigorous scientific approach to the study of brain function and movement disorders.

  • To apply the principles of neuroscience to the development of ortheoprothesis.

Syllabus

  1. The Neurons and brain cells
  2. Fundamentals of bioelectricity: the action potential
  3. Type of synapsis
  4. Neurochemistry of synaptic transmission: Neurotransmitters & neuromodulators
  5. Receptor and signal transduction
  6. Embryogenesis: development of nervous system
  7. Neuroanatomy of the nervous system
  8. Physiopathology of the nervous system
  9. Control of movement
  10. Brain Plasticity and learning mechanisms
  11. Neuroimaging techniques
  12. Somatic sensory system
  13. Perception of pain
  14. The auditory system
  15. The visual system
  16. The chemical senses
  17. Robots and artificial intelligence

Teaching and learning activities

In person

- Theoretical classes

- Practical assignments on electroencephalography and magnetic resonance (mandatory attendance)

- Interpretation of scientific papers and critical thinking

 

Evaluation systems and criteria

In person

The evaluation will include the following activities:


1. Weekly activities & class participation: 20%.
2. First assessment: 20%
3. Final assessment: 60%. Evaluation will be based on a written/test exam. Students must
obtain a grade of 4.5 to pass the course.

 

Important considerations:

  1. Plagiarism, copying or any other action that may be considered cheating will be zero in that evaluation section. Besides, plagiarism during exams will mean the immediate failing of the whole subject.
  2. In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be posible).
  3. Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
  4. Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.

Bibliography and resources

Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. A. (Eds.). (2007). Neuroscience: exploring the brain.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Marc W. Halterman. Neuroscience (2005) 3rd Edition Neurology 

Gazzaniga, M., & Ivry, R. B. (2013). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind: Fourth
International Student Edition. WW Norton.


Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I. Q. (2001). An introduction to brain and behavior. Worth Publishers.
Ganong, W. F. (1980). Manual de fisiología médica. 23ª edición.

Evaluation period

E: exam date | R: revision date | 1: first session | 2: second session:

  • E1 12/01/2021 16:00h P2A03
  • E2 22/06/2021 18:00h P2A03
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