Course coordinator
Dr Clarissa Whitmire
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Elec Engineering & Comp Science School
This course will be discontinued from 2025.
Special or advanced topics course or project in engineering. The course is only made available in special circumstances. School approval is required to enrol in this course and enquiries should be sent to studentenquiries@itee.uq.edu.au
The electrical activity within the nervous system represents information about the external world, the internal state, and the commands to control the body. This transformation between the information represented in the neural pathways and the electrical activity of neurons is referred to as the neural code. This course provides an overview of the underlying biological processes that give rise to neural activity, the models of neural encoding and decoding including leading hypotheses about information representation, and the extension of these models to population encoding in neural circuits. This course is organized into thematic sections with formal lectures on critical topics and student-led case studies to gain exposure to state-of-the-art neural engineering.
Note, this course instance is NOT an independent project in engineering. It is a Special Topics offering in neuroengineering.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission of Head of School
Course contact
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The course allows students to undertake an independent project with a supervising academic. The specific aims and objectives of the course will vary, depending on the project undertaken.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and/or skills in a specific project area
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Code, Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set | Course Content Deliverables | 45% |
Problem Set 1 16/08/2024 2:00 pm Problem Set 2 13/09/2024 2:00 pm Case Study 3/10/2024 12:00 pm Academic Integrity Tutorial 3/10/2024 2:00 pm
Case study: 05 Aug 24 - 3 Oct 24. To be finalised with student consultation. October 3 is the final date available. |
| Project | Project Proposal | Pass/Fail |
2/09/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation | Project - Conference paper | 30% |
18/10/2024 |
| Presentation |
Project - Final Presentation
|
25% |
18/10/2024 2:00 pm
Slides must be submitted by 18 Oct 2024. Oral presentations will occur in person during course contact hours in week 13. |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Course Content Deliverables
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Computer Code, Participation/ Student contribution, Practical/ Demonstration, Quiz, Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 45%
- Due date
Problem Set 1 16/08/2024 2:00 pm
Problem Set 2 13/09/2024 2:00 pm
Case Study 3/10/2024 12:00 pm
Academic Integrity Tutorial 3/10/2024 2:00 pm
Case study: 05 Aug 24 - 3 Oct 24. To be finalised with student consultation. October 3 is the final date available.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Deliverable 1&2: Problem Sets (15% weight each)
Description:
The problem sets cover the first and seconds module in the course (the neuron). The problem set involves developing computer code to analyse the given data and to reproduce the results of the selected model.
Rationale: After the course module, students are asked to implement the topics they have learned through hands on problem sets. The assignment is to be completed individually. Following submission of the assignment, the problems and solutions will be discussed in class. Students will be expected to present answers orally during the session to demonstrate their solutions.
Deliverable 3: Case Study (15% weight)
Description: Each student will choose a case study from an approved set of scientific articles to present orally. Available articles will be provided to the students at the start of the semester and each student can choose one case study. No case study can be presented twice. Presentation date will be determined by the course schedule. Students will be graded according to the rubric. Students will be required to provide peer feedback.
Rationale: Students are asked to present the article they have chosen, the prior work related to that article, and a critical review of the study conclusions. The seminar should cover the scope and relevance of the work, the project carried out, conclusions, and recommendations/open questions for future investigations. Although all the above is needed for a seminar to be self-contained, the emphasis should be on the article itself and its relationship to the course material. The material should be prepared in a fashion that suits oral presentation.
Delivery: The seminar will be schedule in a 30-minute time slot with 20 minutes presentation and 10 minutes time for Q&A. The seminar will be performed during the course time. The date of the presentation will be set according to the course schedule.
Deliverable 4: Academic Integrity Tutorial (pass/fail)
See Academic Integrity Modules - Library - University of Queensland (uq.edu.au) This deliverable is pass/fail and it must be completed for release of grades.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is given to students in a timeframe <28 days.
Late submission
A penalty of 1 grade for each 24 hour period from time submission is due will apply for up to 7 days. After 7 days you will receive a mark of 0.
Project Proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
2/09/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Rationale: Students are asked to present the final project definition, scope, background and planned work. Projects are individual. The written document should cover the scope and relevance of the project, the reviewed literature and background material, the work carried out so far (if applicable), and the work remaining to be done (plan). Open questions or uncertainty about prioritising of different aspects should be brought forward here to receive feedback from the course coordinator. Although all the above is needed for a seminar to be self-contained, the emphasis should be on the thesis definition, scope and future work. The material should be prepared in a fashion that suits written presentation.
Document Preparation and Delivery: All project proposals should be word processed and grammar and spelling should be correct throughout. Figures should be clearly and readily understood. There is no set length of the proposal, but the general expectation is that it will be less than 5 pages in length. (Page counts are based on 1.5 spaced 12-point font and do not include front-matter or appendices.).
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Feedback is given to students very rapidly ( 3 days or less)
Project - Conference paper
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
18/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Rationale: Students will be required to implement the project of their design (proposed in the course) that builds on the concepts developed in the course. Students will be required to write a 2-page conference paper about their project and present their work orally during the exam period. The students will work individually. The format and marking follow the project rubric.
The project conference paper is the major means of reporting the contribution of the project. The conference paper should comprehensively include material on the problems and goals of the project, applicable methods, the approach taken, major decisions and the reasons for the selection of goals and methods, results, the extent to which the goals have been achieved, the relevance, importance and context of achievements, and the reasons for any shortcomings. Production of the conference paper is regarded as part of the educational value of the project, and the course coordinator can give guidance where appropriate.
Document Preparation and Delivery: All conference papers should be word processed and grammar and spelling should be correct throughout. Figures should be clearly and readily understood. There is no set length of the final thesis but the general expectation is that an Advanced Topic thesis will be 15-20 pages in length. (Page counts are based on 1.5 spaced 12-point font and do not include front-matter or appendices.). Follow the preferred document standard and method of specifying references. Variations from this should be discussed with the course coordinator.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Project - Final Presentation
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
18/10/2024 2:00 pm
Slides must be submitted by 18 Oct 2024.
Oral presentations will occur in person during course contact hours in week 13.
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Rationale: In the last week students are asked to present their project definition and scope, the work they carried out and the conclusion they could draw. The seminar should cover the scope and relevance of the project, the work carried out, conclusions and recommendations/open questions for future investigations. Although all the above is needed for a seminar to be self-contained, the emphasis should be on the performed work and open discussion points. The material should be prepared in a fashion that suits oral presentation.
Delivery: The seminar will be schedule in a 15-minute time slot with 10 minutes presentation and 5 minutes time for Q&A. The date and time of the presentation must be within course contact hours.
Hurdle requirements
You must pass this item to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Oral sessions or Demo session scheduled with multiple markers and is time limited.
Late submission
You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 19 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: At least one item of work submitted or seminar / demo attempted |
| 2 (Fail) | 20 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 20% or higher |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 45% or higher |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: To be awarded a grade of 4, you are required to achieve each of these: - Overall Percentage: 50% or higher |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: To be awarded a grade of 5, you are required to achieve each of these: - Overall Percentage: 65% or higher |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: To be awarded a grade of 6, you are required to achieve each of these: - Overall Percentage: 75% or higher |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: To be awarded a grade of 7, you are required to achieve each of these: - Overall Percentage: 85% or higher |
Additional course grading information
The above table presents the conditions which apply in the awarding of grades in this course. Your overall percentage will be calculated as per the assessment item weights above and then rounded to the nearest whole percent. Your grade will then be the highest grade for which you satisfy all the criteria in the table below. The course coordinator reserves the right to moderate marks.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
If you receive a grade of 3 in this course then you will only be eligible for supplementary assessment if the course coordinator determines that there is practical supplementary assessment that can be offered to allow you to demonstrate in a reasonable amount of time that you have met the learning objectives for the course. For example, course failure due to poor presentation could result in a supplementary report to be presented. Course failure due to a poorly executed project would not result in supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Having Troubles?
If you are having difficulties with any aspect of the course material you should seek help. Speak to the course teaching staff.
If external circumstances are affecting your ability to work on the course, you should seek help as soon as possible. The University and UQ Union have organisations and staff who are able to help, for example, UQ Student Services are able to help with study and exam skills, tertiary learning skills, writing skills, financial assistance, personal issues, and disability services (among other things).
Complaints and criticisms should be directed in the first instance to the course coordinator. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may bring the matter to the attention of the School of EECS Director of Teaching and Learning.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Problem-based learning |
Hands-on practical investigation of course topics Learning outcomes: L01 |
Lecture |
Course Lectures Learning outcomes: L01 |
|
Case-based learning |
Case Study Presentations Learning outcomes: L01 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.