Neural Engineering (Autumn 2020)

BIOEN 460/560, EE 460/560

Instructors: Prof. Chet Moritz, Prof. Azadeh Yazdan
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Identify the sub-fields of neural engineering

• Understand the basic organization of the human nervous system
• Understand the basic engineering concepts involved in brain-computer interface
design
• Identify and trouble-shoot ethical issues in neural engineering
• Read primary neural engineering literature for understanding
• Master a neural engineering topic through literature review, and present findings in
video and written form

Course Outcomes:
(i) knowledge of contemporary topics in neural engineering
Students will be introduced to contemporary topics in neural engineering through reading
of primary literature and through guest lectures by neural engineering researchers.
(ii) an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
Students will be introduced to the field of neuroethics and will work through case studies
to explore the societal ramifications of new technologies.
(iii) an ability to communicate effectively
Students will learn to write about neural engineering topics through written homework
assignments. Students will make a video presentation and turn in a short paper after
synthesizing the literature on a focused neural engineering topic.
Required Texts: None
Recommended Texts: Brain Computer Interfacing: An Introduction, Rajesh P. N. Rao,
Cambridge University Press, 2013
Course Structure
Meeting format: The course will consist of 2 online class meetings via zoom each
week. If you have planned athletic or other UW-related travel, or other conflicts such as
religious holidays, please let the instructor know as early as possible in the quarter. For
athletic events, you will be expected to supply appropriate documentation as per
University policy.
If you wish to request disability accommodations, please contact the instructor as early
as possible, no later than the first week of class.
Diversity and Inclusion

Throughout this course we strive to create a climate that is inclusive and safe for all
individuals. We believe that diversity of thought and experiences, along any continua,
provide an essential foundation for building excellence. Our expectation is that everyone
in our learning community engages in respectful discourse/interaction to create a
stimulating environment that fosters our goal of excellence and embraces a diversity of
perspectives and experiences.

If you experience any discomfort related to the climate in this course or the broader
University, we encourage you to share your concerns with course faculty
(azadehy@uw.edu, ctmoritz@uw.edu), your department advisors, and/or the UW Office
of the Ombud (206-543-6028 or ombuds@uw.edu). Our goal is to continually improve
our ability to foster a stimulating, inclusive, and safe environment for all students, staff,
and faculty.

Religious Accommodations
Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for the accommodation of student
absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized
religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an
accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy
(https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/).
Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the
Religious Accommodations Request form
(https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/)
Graduate students online guide : Graduate students will work in a group of 4 to prepare
an online guide for the class on the topics presented by our guest speakers using
pressbooks. The online guide should include: 1) a brief introduction of our speaker and
their research, 2) an overview of the technology to be discussed by the speaker, 3) A
multimedia that can help with understanding the technology, 4) a set of questions for the
students to consider asking during class, 5) a quiz to test the preparedness of the students
for the class.
Final Project for all students: Students will work on a final project in groups of 2-3
people. The project should include a literature search (minimum of 5 papers) and write a
brief review of a neural engineering topic. The topic is determined by the groups, but must
fall within the purview of the class. Topics must be approved by the TAs prior to beginning
the project. Groups will write one paper and make a 2 minute video to be presented during
the last two class sessions. All group members will participate in the video, writing, and
fielding questions during the in-class screening.
Evaluation and Grades: This course does not include any formal exams. Grades will be
based on quizzes, homework assignments and the final project. Points will be distributed
as follows:
Homework: 50%
Participation and in-class quizzes: 25%
Project: 25%
Homework is based on a combination of in-class content and weekly readings. These
problem sets are posted on canvas at the end of the day Friday, and are due one week
later at 3:00 pm via Canvas.
Late submissions will have 10% deducted per day after the submission deadline
Quizzes require ‘attendance’ in the zoom class session to complete. Quizzes review key
concepts from the weekly reading or gather other information based on course content.
Participation will be evaluated via class session participation, including participating in
discussions, and posing and answering questions logged via the Zoom chat.

Schedule:
Wed 9/30: Introduction to Neural Engineering (Chet Moritz)
Fri 10/2: Features of the nervous system for neural engineers I (Chet Moritz)

Wed 10/7: Features of the nervous system for neural engineers II (Chet Moritz)
Fri 10/9: Stimulating the brain and spinal cord (Chet Moritz)

Wed: 10/14: Optogenetics (Azadeh Yazdan)

Fri 10/16: Signal processing I: spike sorting, frequency domain analysis, wavelets
(Azadeh Yazdan)

Wed 10/21: Signal processing II: Time domain analysis, Time-frequency analysis
(Azadeh Yazdan)
Fri 10/23: Retinal prosthesis (EJ Chichilnisky)

Wed 10/28: Machine Learning (Raj Rao)

Fri 10/30: Deep brain stimulation (Ayse Gunduz)

Wed 11/04: integration of implanted electrodes with the neural tissue (Erin Purcell)
Fri 11/06: implanted hardware/electronics (Rikky Muller)

Wed 11/11: Brain-machine interfaces (Cindy Chestek)

Fri 11/13: novel neural interfaces (Maysam Chamanzar)

Wed 11/18: closed-loop brain computer interfaces (Bolu Ajiboye)

Fri 11/20: neural modeling and decoding (Maryam Shanechi)

Wed 11/25: Neuroengineering for stroke (Azadeh Yazdan)

Wed 12/02: Sensory feedback (Flip Sabes)
Fri 12/04: Neuroethics (Eran Klein)

Wed 12/09: Project presentation

Fri 12/11: Project presentation