The
course in Biomedical Electronics combines the detailed study of
electronics, as the main subjects of an Honours degree course, with a
basic education in the physical, chemical, social and biomedical
sciences. The structure and function of the human body are taught as
an integrated subject comprising anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and
cell biology. Mathematics is an essential part of each year of the
course. Appropriate statistical techniques for this interdisciplinary
subject are studied. After an introduction to computers and
programming, computer studies continue as an experimental subject,
and
may continue even further in the final year, since laboratory work in
that year is in the form of an open-ended project on some aspect of
biomedical electronics, and a student may choose to do a project which
requires the use of a computer.
The
project is supervised by a member of staff, and there is often an
opportunity for liaison with clinical and biological departments
outside the University. When this occurs the work acquires an added
interest to the student and they develop an appreciation of working as
part of a team.
The
aim of the course is to produce graduates who, being qualified to
begin a career as professional electronics engineers, are particularly
well equipped t appreciate and to solve the problems that arise in the
application of electronics to biomedical situations. It hardly need be
pointed out that, even away from human problems, physical, mental and
social, which the course offers provides a valuable broadening in the
education of an electronic engineer.
First Year
Materials science; biochemistry; cell biology; electrical theory;
basic mathematics and statistics; behavioural sciences; computer
technology; engineering communication; English.
Second Year
Mathematics; human structure and function; nuclear, radiation and
health physics; applied electronics; networks; man and his
environment; computer technology; workshop practice; business studies
or a modern language.
Third Year
Mathematics; electronics I; signal theory and processing; biomedical
instrumentation and clinical applications; human structure and
function; control in electronic and biological systems; business
studies or a modern language.
A
Guide to the Syllabus
Atomic and molecular structure; electronic forces; kinetic concepts
and applications; interface phenomena; simple harmonic motion; wave
motion; interaction between waves and materials; metals and
insulators; semi conducting materials and devices; the preparation and
purification of materials.
Introduction to chemical composition and structure; chemical and
biological properties of water; colloidal state; bio-energy; chemical
substances important to human structure and function.
An
elementary and introductory treatment relating structure and function
and a further study of differentiation to show tissue types;
micro-organisms.
Electrostatics; electromagnetics; dc circuits; circuit behaviour under
time varying excitations.
Functions; continuity and limits; finite and infinite series; complex
numbers; coordinate geometry; differentiation; integration; elementary
statistical theory and applications.
Unlearned behaviour; learning and problem solving; attention; memory
and perception; motivation; personality; interpersonal behaviour.
Digital and analog computers; computers languages; elementary
programming; introduction to microprocessors.
Presentation and interpretation of engineering information from
verbal, written and graphical sources.
Oral
and written communication; modern works of literary and sociological
importance;.
sources of information and library usage.
Second Year
Vectors; differentiation; integration; differential equations;
determinants and matrices; complex number theory.
The
basic structure and function and evolution of the human body, the range
of normality, deviations from normal, including an amount of biochemical
processes involved, but particularly related to n understanding of
symbiosis between electronic systems and biomedical systems and only in
sufficient detail for this purpose; bones and joints; muscular system;
nervous system; skin; cardio-vascular system; immunity; respiratory
system; digestive system; urinary tract; reproductive system; ductless
glands.
Atomic
and nuclear structure; radioactivity; interactions between radiation and
matter; dosimetry; biological effect of radiation; introduction to
electron microscopy.
Characteristics of electronic devices; equivalent circuits and
parameters; feedback; oscillators.
Two
and four-terminal measurements and networks; transient response;
transfer functions; poles and zeros; active networks.
Continuation of work begun in the fist year with emphasis on the writing
and running of computer programs.
Introduction to the practical construction of the circuits and
apparatus.
With
particular reference to impact of and scope for; electronic devices;
sociology; demography; the role and functions of the family; social
class; social pathology; history of medicine and social medicine.
An
introduction to the business aspects of industrial and commercial
companies.
Emphasis on translation of scientific literature.
Vectors; differential equations; transform methods; solutions in series;
Bessel functions,. integration and differentiation
of two or more
variables; partial differential equations; fitting of boundary
conditions.
Linear
networks analysis for amplifier design; transient and steady state
response by transform methods, feedback and stability; design with
integrated circuits; non-linear circuits including switching and logic
circuits; measurements.
Signal
characteristics; Fourier series; Fourier transform and applications -
analog and pulse modulation; random noise.
Measurement of electrical signals from the human medical transducers;
examples of biomedical instrumentation, an account of clinical procedure
and treatment in so far as it concerns dialogue between trials; medical
ethics; the biomedical electronics engineer and the responsible medical
practitioner.
Continuation of second year work.
Types
of control system; principles of feedback control; control system
performance; non-linear control theory.
Decision-making, planning, accounting, marketing, and organisation in
business.
Continuation of second year work.
