Bioinstrumentation (BMEN90033)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This subject teaches the fundamental theory, design and operational principles of biomedical instrumentation and measurement systems for the design of electronics for measurement and analysis of physiological parameters of the body and organs. The subject provides theory and practical exposure to understanding the basis of physiological signals and analysing biomedical signals, including hands-on experience in designing and building bioinstrumentation systems that can measure biological signals. Students will be introduced to medical devices, design principles, biomedical signals, biomedical instrumentation circuits and electrical safety and systems. These topics will be complemented by exposure to software tools for electronic circuit simulation and design. The subject is taught in a flipped classroom format and comprises: pre-tutorial reading, tutorials requiring student participation, guided workshops on using biosensors and transducers and individual self-paced project work.

Please view this video for further information: Bioinstrumentation

Intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • Design and build biomedical instruments that comply with the regulatory standards for medical devices.
  • Describe the key considerations for biological signal generation and measurements.
  • Design and apply signal conditioning within the context of a biomedical device.
  • Describe and apply safety concepts for biomedical instrumentation and clinical implementation.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BMEN30008 Biosystems Design
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

Semester 1

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Completion of prescribed reading, completion of tutorials and workshops. ILOs 1 and 2 are addressed in this assessment. 6 hours of work per week.

  • 60 hours (of work required)
From Week 2 to Week 1130%

Individual project ePortfolio comprising 1) Design proposal (500 words; weighing 10%; due Week 4) 2) Design History (50 -200 words per week; 20%; due Week 6-12) 3) Results Summary (800 words; weighing 15%; due during Exam Period) Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1-4 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 2700 words (total)
Throughout the semester45%

Oral examination (Viva Voce): 15 minutes. ILOs 1-4 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 minutes
Hurdle requirement: Students must pass the oral exam to pass the subject.		During the examination period25%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorSam John
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours1 x 1.5-hour of workshops per week for 12 weeks, 1 x 1.5-hour tutorials per week for 10 weeks and 1 x 2-hour practicals per week for 10 weeks
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Pre teaching requirementsRefresh content from pre-requisite subjects and complete canvas modules on the pre-requisite subject content in preparation for the subject
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    Sam John

    Email: sam.john@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

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  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Webb, Andrew G. (2018)  Principles of Biomedical Instrumentation Cambridge University Press ISBN 978-1-107-11313-8

    Recommended texts and other resources

    Enderle, J (2006) Bioinstrumentation  Morgan & Claypool Publishers

    Webster, J (ed) (2004) Bioinstrumentation John Wiley & Sons 

    Webster, J (ed) (2010) Medical instrumentation John Wiley & Sons, 4th edition

    Rangayyan, R (2015) Biomedical Signal Analysis John Wiley & Sons, 2nd edition

    Hayes, T (2016) Learning the Art of Electronics Cambridge University Press

    Hambley, A (2011) Electrical Engineering  Pearson, 5th edition

    Nilsson, J, Riedel, S (2015) Electric Circuits Pearson, 10th edition

    Sedra, A: Microelectronic circuits Oxford University Press

     

  • Subject notes

    LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
    This subject is delivered through online collaborative reading, in-class group discussions,  tutorials, hands-on workshop/laboratory activities, and self-paced individual project work.

    INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
    Students are provided with discussion group online multimedia materials, electronic resources, industry-standard engineering software and hardware tools, project specifications, component specifications and reference lists.

    CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
    Exposure to the biomedical industry through industry-sourced projects, including guest lectures or industry visits or virtual hospital tours. 

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    Specialisation (formal)Biomedical with Business
    Specialisation (formal)Biomedical
  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025