OVERVIEW

The primary goal of the course is to provide an overview of the scientific activities conducted within the department, with a particular focus on Neuroengineering. Students will have the opportunity to participate in an internship in one of the available laboratories, where they will learn how to conduct a small research project and address new technical-scientific challenges. This 'learning through research' approach will enable them to acquire innovative methodologies and skills useful for analyzing, evaluating, and solving complex technical problems, applicable both within the field of research and beyond.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course includes an internship in a laboratory of the student’s choice, focused on learning specific techniques relevant to their selected track. During the internship, the student will carry out a project in collaboration with a peer, applying the skills they have acquired.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim1. Describe the Neuroengineering-related scientific activities available in the department. Thanks to presentations from the bioengineering teaching staff of the department, an overview of the available Lab activities will be provided to the students.

Learning outcome for Aim 1. By the end of the course the student will be able to describe one of the research lines available in the department. Reference to the state of the art will be always provided, to allow the students to contextualize the proposed research activities within the national and international panorama. The students will be also able to improve their critical thinking and transfer their knowledge in different research settings.

Aim2. Evaluate and solve a neuroengineering problem and/or respond to a technical and scientific question in a real lab environment. By following a ‘training through research’ approach, the students will be exposed to real scientific/technical problems, presented in the form of individual projects.

Learning outcome for Aim 2. By the end of the course the student will be able to critically assess specific lab techniques relevant to the path of choice and to conduct an individual research project in the framework of the Neuroengineering field. This will be achieved thanks to an internship focused on carrying out specific lab-related tasks and solve the scientific and methodological questions proposed by the lab instructors.

Open Badge 'Transversal skills'. The course includes training activities among its learning objectives that allow the achievement of the following transversal skills:

1. social competence
2. ability in project management

PREREQUISITES

It is assumed that the student knows the differential equations, has a good physical-chemical basis, has followed a course in electrical and electronic circuits, an introductory course in physiology or modeling of physiological systems, has basis of programming.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons followed by practical lab training in the chosen lab.

Working students and students with DSA, disability or other special educational needs certification are advised to contact the teacher at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and exam methods which, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account individual ways of learning.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Laboratory Selection and Research Planning

• Initial meetings with lab tutors and discussion of project topics

• Definition of research goals, tasks, and timeline

• Identification of the main techniques and tools to be learned

• Brief literature review and contextualization of the project within the state of the art

Research Internship

• Hands-on training in the selected laboratory

• Learning of specific experimental, computational, or analytical techniques

• Execution of a research micro-project in pairs or small groups

• Application of problem-solving skills to address technical-scientific challenges

• Periodic mentoring and feedback sessions with lab supervisors

Project Reporting and Communication

• Preparation of a final report or project summary

• Oral presentation of project outcomes in a plenary group session

Focus topics may include but are not limited to (depending on the lab):

• Neural interfaces and signal processing

• Brain-computer interaction

• Electrophysiology and neuromodulation

• Machine learning for biomedical data

• Human-robot interaction and rehabilitation technologies

• Cognitive neuroscience and behavioral measurements

• Biomechanics and sensorimotor control

• Neuromorphic engineering or neuroimaging

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended reading and specific bibliography will be provided to the students by the Lab head of reference, since they are strongly related to the chosen internship project.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/index.php?view=easycourse&_lang=it&include=corsoù

The course takes place in the second semester. The actual dates of the lab sessions will be agreed upon with the faculty member responsible for the chosen lab. The lab assignments will be made at the beginning of the second semester, in January.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam involves presenting the completed project, either as a PowerPoint presentation (or similar format) or by submitting the deliverable agreed upon with the lab supervisor, such as a repository containing the project code. The student will present or discuss the deliverable in the presence of course instructors, the lab supervisor, and any interested students.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The work performed in the hosting lab and the final presentation of the project will allow for the evaluation of Aim 1 and Aim 2. Specifically, we expect the student to demonstrate knowledge of the research topic, acquisition of new skills and expertise, independence, proactivity, critical thinking, and the ability to contextualize their work within the research community.

The activities carried out in the course are necessary for the attribution of the Open Badges.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The availability of individual laboratories may change from year to year. Lab activities will be conducted in groups of two students. Each group must indicate three preferences, based on which they will be assigned to the most relevant available lab.