Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Neuroscience Applied to Orthoprosthesis
Other languages of instruction: Catalan, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Meetings can be arranged by email at jcerda@uic.es .
Introduction
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
- CN01 - Describe aspects related to bioengineering based on subject-specific books together with scientific publications at the forefront of knowledge.
- CN06 - Define the fundamental principles of the technologies used in the design and manufacture of micro- and nanosensors in biotechnology areas.
- CP01 - Interpret relevant data (normally within their area of study) and issue judgements that include a reflection on relevant issues of a social, scientific and ethical nature.
- CP04 - Produce fixed and removable structures in medical device applications.
- CP08 - Apply biotechnological methodologies and tools for research, development and production of products and services.
- HB01 - Convey information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialised and non-specialised audiences.
- HB04 - Assess the social and environmental impact of technical solutions through the analysis and application of quality principles and methods.
- HB05 - Integrate a third language, usually English, in a multilingual and multidisciplinary environment, with an adequate oral and written level and applying the terminology of bioengineering
- HB07 - Relate well-being with globalisation and sustainability, achieving skills for the use of technique, technology, economy and sustainability in a balanced and compatible way.
- HB12 - Evaluate manufacturing systems and processes, metrology and quality control.
- HB14 - Identify engineering concepts that can be applied in the field of biology and health.
Learning outcomes of the subject
-
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Distinguish the conceptual and methodological foundations of the various platforms that make up bioengineering: biotechnology, nanotechnology, pharmacology, immunology, microbiology, modeling, proteomics and genomics, drug delivery, project management...
• Apply the fundamentals of bioengineering in fields such as tissue engineering, orthotics, dental prosthetics, start-up creation, sustainability, and the design, manufacturing, and characterization of new medical devices.
• Define the characteristics of implants, dental prosthetics, radiological and surgical splints, relating them to osseointegration, prosthetic rehabilitation, and medical prescription.
• Define the materials and processes used in the manufacturing of implants, dental prosthetics, radiological and surgical splints.
Syllabus
Block 1: Molecular and cellular neuroscience
Block 2: Systems neuroscience
Teaching and learning activities
In person
- Theoretical classes
- Practical labs
- Interpretation of scientific papers and critical thinking
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
The final grade of the subject will be obtained as:
Grade = 0.3·Ncheck1 + 0.3·Ncheck2 + 0.2·Nproject+ 0.2·Nlab
Nproject = 0.3·Nrep + 0.5·Npres + 0.2·Ngit
Where
Nep : Partial exam grade (minimum grade of 4)
Nef : Final exam grade (minimum grade of 4)
Nproject : Project grade (minimum grade of 4)
Nrep: Report grade
Npres: Presentation grade
Ngit: Github repository grade
Important considerations:
- 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.
- In the second-sitting exams, the maximum grade students will be able to obtain is "Excellent" (grade with honors distinction will not be posible).
- Changes of the calendar, exam dates or the evaluation system will not be accepted.
- Exchange students (Erasmus and others) or repeaters will be subjected to the same conditions as the rest of the students.
Bibliography and resources
Basic bibliography
[1] Purves et al. (Sixt Edition, 2018). Neuroscience. Oxford University Press.
[2] Bear, M. F., Connors, B. W., & Paradiso, M. (Third Edition, 2007). Neuroscience: exploring the brain. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
[3] Gazzaniga, M., & Ivry, R. B. (2013). Cognitive Neuroscience: The Biology of the Mind: Fourth International Student Edition. WW Norton.
Complementary bibliography
[1] Kuiken, T.A., Schultz Feuser, A.E., & Barlow, A.K. (Eds.). (2013). Targeted Muscle Reinnervation: A Neural Interface for Artificial Limbs (1st ed.). CRC Press. ISBN:9780429065996. https://doi.org/10.1201/b15079
[2] Statistical Parametric Mapping: The Analysis of Functional Brain Images. Elsevier, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-12-372560-8
Evaluation period
- E1 08/01/2026 A10 14:00h