Postgraduate Course: Sensors and Instrumentation (MSc) (PGEE11219)
Course Outline
| School | School of Engineering |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The Sensors and Instrumentation course examines the methods used to interface sensors with electronic instrumentation. One focus will be on transducers, meaning devices which convert information from one form of energy to another. In this case the final form for the information will be an electrical signal but the transducers themselves could be optical, mechanical, etc., and operate in a number of different ways (eg., capacitive, potentiometric, photonic). Examples from the state of the art in sensor research will be provided and guest lectures from active researchers in this field will provide context. Students will undertake a 'horizon scanning' research exercise to investigate the industrial and research potential of a specific type of sensor. |
| Course description |
Typically two lectures per week with subjects covered in 1-3 lectures. 1-2 guest lectures on active research activity will be planned with topics to be determined. Assessment by examination and a short research assignment. feedback opportunities will include submission of example exam questions adapted from a previous version of the course and a short presentation as part of the research assignment.
Main Topics (subject to revision):
1. Transducer Basics: Sensors and Actuators
2. Metrology - Measurement in detail
3. Sensor Amplification: Revision of op-amps and basic circuits
4. Instrumentation for Electrochemistry: Potentiostats, impedance measurements, bridge circuits
5. Temperature measurement techniques
6. Microelectromechanical sensor (MEMS) instrumentation: Strain gauges, piezoelectric sensors and actuators, capacitive sensor interfaces
7. FET based sensors: MOSFET revision, FET based biological and chemical sensors, nano-wire sensors.
8. Overview of optical sensors: Fibre-optic sensors, fluorescence, photonic sensors
9. Neural sensors and actuators: Microelectrode arrays, neural interfaces
10. Implantable medical devices: Biofouling, materials and regulation
11. Wireless sensor interfaces: Sensor networks and wireless power
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Basic electronics knowledge, other physical sciences/engineering background. Previous version of the course has been taught to biology and chemistry graduates. |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 8,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 2,
Formative Assessment Hours 2,
Summative Assessment Hours 6,
Revision Session Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
56 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam %: 80%
Practical Exam %: 0
Coursework %: 20%
|
| Feedback |
Students will have regular self study questions, some through online quizzes, top hat etc. to test their understanding. They will also be invited to submit an exam question (initially adapted from the previous Biosensors and Instrumentation course) for feedback. As part of the research assignment, students will record a short presentation and formative feedback will be provided, they will also be invited to pre-submit their written assignment before the deadline for feedback. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the concept of transduction and methods of extracting information from sensors;
- Analyse sensor outputs through the use of analogue circuit concepts;
- Understand typical electronic instrumentation for sensors and important concepts such as calibration and references;
- Demonstrate knowledge in the state of the art of sensors for a wide range of applications in research and commercial products;
- Demonstrate familiarity with a wide range of sensors and instrumentation from electrochemical to optical.
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Reading List
Essential:
'Introductory Bioelectronics: for Engineers and Physical Scientists', R. Pethig and S. Smith, Wiley, 2012, ISBN: 978-1119970873
Background reading:
'Instrumental Methods in Electrochemistry', Southampton Electrochemistry Group, Ellis Horwood or Halsted Press.
'Medical Instrumentation: Application and Design', John G. Webster, Wiley, (4th Edition)
'Ultra Low Power Capacitive Sensor Interfaces'; W. Bracke, R. Puers & C. Van Hoof; Springer.
'Biomedical Instruments - Theory and Design'; W. Welkowitz, S. Deutsch, M. Akay; Academic Press Inc.
'Ultra Low Power Bioelectronics'; R. Sarpeshkar; Cambridge University Press.
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Sensors,Transducers,Instrumentation,Integration,Micro-electro-mechanical Systems,MEMs |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Stewart Smith
Tel: (0131 6)50 7471
Email: Stewart.Smith@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Jo Aitkenhead
Tel: (0131 6)50 5532
Email: Jo.Aitkenhead@ed.ac.uk |
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