CE225-5-AU-CO:
Neuroimaging and Brain Stimulation Technologies

The details
2023/24
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 15 December 2023
15
16 June 2022

 

Requisites for this module
CE151 and CE171
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

CE246, CE345

Key module for

BENGH169 Neural Engineering with Psychology,
BENGH170 Neural Engineering with Psychology (including Placement Year),
BENGH171 Neural Engineering with Psychology (including Year Abroad),
BENGH172 Neural Engineering with Psychology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC H167 Neural Technology with Psychology,
BSC H168 Neural Technology with Psychology (including Year Abroad),
BSC H176 Neural Technology with Psychology (including Placement Year)

Module description

The aim of this course is for the student to become familiar with most of the present-day neuroimaging and neuro-stimulation methods used in neuroscience and neural engineering and to provide practical experience of applying some of these methodologies, including interpreting neuroimaging data.

Module aims

In the Neuroimaging and Brain-stimulation Technologies module you will:

1. be introduced to the main neuroimaging and brain stimulation technologies used in Neural Engineering,
2. gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of such technologies,
3. acquire a basic practical experience on how to apply a subset of such techniques,
4. be able to analyse and interpret brain signals acquired through a subset of neuroimaging technologies,
5. gain an understanding of the advantages and limitations of such techniques.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module you should:

1. understand the relationships between different neuroimaging and stimulation technologies as well as their advantages and limitations,
2. be able to interpret the data from a subset of neuroimaging technologies,
3. understand which features of brain activity each neuroimaging technology can measure,
4. understand in which ways brain stimulation technologies affect brain activity,
5. have a practical understanding of how to apply a subset of neuroimaging and brain stimulation technologies.

Module information

Comprehensive introduction to the following neuro-imaging techniques, including basic principles, type of neural activity being recorded, advantages/disadvantages and differences:

1. Electroencephalography (EEG)
2. Functional near infra-red spectroscopy (fNIRS)
3. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Introduction to the following neuro-stimulation techniques, including basic principles, type of neural activity being affected, advantages/disadvantages and differences:
4. Transcranial magnetic (TMS) and electrical (tES) stimulation

Theoretical and hands-on experience with interpretation of brain-imaging data through visualisation and analysis techniques.

Learning and teaching methods

The module is an autumn term module comprising 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of practical laboratory each week. In some of the laboratory sessions students will visualise and analyse brain-imaging data using software developed at Essex, standard tools, and potentially also specialised Python or Matlab packages. In other sessions the students will make use of the facilities available in the Essex BCI-NE laboratory to gain practical experience with a subset of the available brain-stimulation and neuro-imaging technologies.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Brain Imaging Analysis Report    100% 
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Sebastian Halder, email: s.halder@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Sebastian Halder
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

Prof Sandra Dudley
London South Bank University
Professor of Communication Systems
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 20 (50%) hours available to students:
20 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

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