Biomedical Engineering Summer School

27 August to 16 September 2023 at Jade University

Organised by Jade University - Department of Engineering Sciences and International Office

Introduction

The Department of Engineering Sciences and the International Office of Jade University offer a three-week summer school in Biomedical Engineering.  The summer school covers three course lanes focusing on ”Applied Artificial Intelligence”,  “Basics of Biomedical Engineering” and ”Biomedical Signal and Image Acquisition, Processing and Analysis”.

Our ageing human society puts severe constraints on health care systems with regard to the demands of costs, quality, and personnel. There is a growing need for innovative medical technology solutions. Implementation of the latest technology will have a significant impact on future medical care, diagnosis, and the alleviation of diseases. Technical innovation can also provide solutions such as telemetry, distant-virtual consulting and checking, the automation of processes, and robot technology. Intelligent implants that use new design methods, materials, and software can keep patients mobile and fit as long as possible. Early recognition using accurate diagnostic equipment that employs imaging techniques, lab-on-chip analysis, and advanced sensors can reduce treatment costs and improve recovery rates. As one of the consequences, medical care could be provided at home, instead of in a hospital, thus for instance reducing costs.

The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to the multidisciplinary field of Biomedical Engineering by examining the basics of the development of medical devices in general. Focusing on applications for medical technologies, biosensors and their electronic systems, biosignal and image processing and the simulation of biomechanics, also in combination with artificial intelligence, these complex contents are developed in lectures, lab work and field trips. The multicultural focus of the course is intensified by the presence of an international lecturing staff drawn from several centers of excellence in the field of biomedical engineering. Another key learning outcome of this course is provided by the interaction of international students in group-based projects and organized social events.

The summer course covers the above named three course lanes. Two of them are addressed to undergraduate students, while the other requires a Bachelor’s degree and is part of Master studies of Jade University and the partner institutions. It is strongly recommended that students do not change the lane.

The course language is English. The presence of teachers as well as students from foreign countries requires the use of a shared language as the basis of everyday communication and interaction, and gives better motivation than a language course at a home university ever could. 

This annual summer course is a regular part of the Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering and Master of Electrical Engineering programs at Jade University, and is accepted by our partner universities.

Preliminary Schedule

Biomedical Engineering Summer School Wilhelmshaven 2023
DateLane A
Applied Artificial Intelligence
(Undergraduate students)
Lane B
Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering
(Undergraduate students)
Lane C
Biomedical Signal and Image Acquisition, Processing and Analysis
(Graduate students)
28.08.MonWelcome - Workshop "German Language and Culture" - Introduction to courses (afternoon session)
29.08.
-
01.09.
Tue

Biomedical Image Processing
(Kiss)

Introduction to Project Management
(Daróczi)

Amperometric Biosensors and Related Electronics
(Çökeliler / Koçum)

Wed
Thur
Fri
02.09.
-
03.09.
SatWeekend activities, day trips to Bremen, Oldenburg...
Sun
04.09.
-
07.09.
Mon

Biomedical Applications of Machine Learning
(Kertész)

3D-Modelling and Simulation of Biomechanical Structures
(Totorean / Galatanu)

Instrumentation, Acquisition and Signal Processing for Biosignals
(Yüksekkaya)

Tue
Wed
Thur
08.09.
-
10.09.
FriWeekend activities, day trips to Hamburg, Hannover, Helgoland Island...
Sat
Sun
11.09.
-
14.09.
Mon

Artificial Intelligence
(Chiaradia Masselli)

Brain-Computer-Interfaces
(Kuzmicheva)

Embedded Systems
(Chávez-Campos)

Tue
Wed
Thur
15.09.FriPresentations of project results (all courses together) - Student evaluation
Presentation of certificates

Course Abstracts

In this year's summer course we offer two courses for undergraduate students (Lane A and B) and one course for graduate students (Lane C). Please find the respective course descriptions in the following tables:

Lane A: Applied Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence

Prof. Dr. Yvo Marcelo Chiaradia Masselli

The Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) course aims to present an overview of the field of AI, the main techniques and algorithms involved in real applications.

The course combines theoretical sessions, computer simulations and covers the following topics:

  • Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence.
  • Knowledge representation.
  • Informed and uninformed search methods.
  • Fuzzy logic and fuzzy controllers.

In the end, the student should be able to understand and develop a solution based on the learned algorithms. These will serve as the basis for subsequent lectures on the AI ​​course track.

  

Biomedical Image Processing

Dániel Kiss

This is an introductory course in the fundamentals of biological and medical imaging and image processing, including pre-processing and enhancement techniques, filtering, object detection, and image segmentation.

Participants will learn the basics of digital imaging and will gain experience in Python’s image processing abilities. We are also going to meet CellProfiler, an open-source application for batch processing, measuring, and analyzing images. We will see how to use them via real-life examples of various biological experiments covering the following topics.

Course topics:

  • Fundamentals of image acquisition and image processing
  • Intensity-based methods: histogram correction and thresholding
  • Classical filters: smoothing, sharpening, edge enhancement
  • Image segmentation and object identification
  • Working with multi-channel images, measuring colocalization

  

Biomedical Applications of Machine Learning

Dr. Gábor Kertész

The goal of the lectures is to provide an introduction to image recognition with neural networks, both is theory and in practice.

The course starts with a basic introduction to the fundamentals of image recognition using neural networks. On the practical side, Tensorflow and Keras is introduced as the most common frameworks used by machine learning engineers.

During the course the students will get an understanding on how Neural Networks are trained, evaluated, and what common problems could occur. After introducing Convolutional Neural Networks, classical architectures are analysed along with modern, state-of-the-art solutions and techniques, which improve the performance of neural networks.

Course topics:

  • Regression and classification in fully connected networks
  • Handling image data
  • Convolutional Neural Networks
  • Classic architectures and techniques
  • State-of-the-art solutions and approaches to increase performance
  • Hands-on with Tensorflow and Keras

    

Lane B: Fundamentals of Biomedical Engineering

Introduction to Project Management

Dr. Miklós Daróczi, Associate Professor

The main objective of the course is to deliver some theoretical and practical knowledge related mainly to the project planning, scheduling and budgeting. The module starts by defining the project and differentiating project management from general management. The project manager’s role, the project life cycle and the elements of project plan are also briefly discussed. The common formats of schedule the Gantt-charts and PERT/CPM networks, some methods of budgeting and cost estimating are also covered. Based on these techniques students will be able to participate in project planning and implementation.

Student teams will prepare a report and give a presentation on a special project. The purpose of this assignment is to deepen your knowledge on planning projects and to share that knowledge with the rest of the group. The topic of the project will be selected by the students.

   

3D Modelling and Simulation of Biomechanical Structures

Alin TOTOREAN, Eng, PhD, Sergiu GALATANU, Eng, PhD

The concept of personalized medicine has strongly evolved nowadays and is more and more used in clinical practice. For example, in orthopedics or cardiovascular medicine having patient specific models before interventions proves to be useful for physicians, since it allows them to plan the procedure in advance taking into consideration patient’s details. The process requires 3D models of the anatomical structures and further prototyping or performing computational simulations.

This lecture is focused on methods that allow the design of 3D models based on patient-specific medical images (Computed Tomography scans) and to perform a computational analysis using the real model and numerical tools in the area of structural analysis.

   

Brain-Computer-Interfaces

Prof. Dr. Olena Kuzmicheva

Development of assistive robotic devices for persons with motor disabilities is a challenging task. Besides development of autonomous task execution by robotic devices, the problem of robot system control by the user arises, when usual interaction modalities like mouse or joystick cannot be used due to physical restrictions of the person. New modalities become necessary to command the robotic system hands-free. The course introduces different aspects of hands-free control with focus on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) as one of possible input modalities. The participants will learn basics of non-invasive BCIs including different aspects of signal processing and directly apply the achieved knowledge in the practice. Therefore, the course combines theoretical sessions with programming units and experiments in the lab and reflects following topics:

  • Introduction to hands-free control and different input modalities
  • Electroencephalography (EEG), EEG based BCIs as input modality, useful features and BCI paradigms
  • Selected topics of signal processing for EEG based BCIs
  • Application of BCI to (robotic) system control
  • Design and implementation of a small scale BCI controlled application.

The course addresses undergraduate students in engineering and computer science. Medical background is not required.

  

Lane C:     Biomedical Signal and Image Acquisition, Processing and Analysis

Amperometric Biosensors and Related Electronics

Dr. Cengiz Koçum, Prof. Dr. Dilek Çökeliler Serdaroğlu

Biosensors are used to detect biological or chemical markers (bio-chemicals, DNA, protein, cells etc.) in order for diagnosis, environmental monitoring and pharmaceutical research. This course represents the fundamental science and engineering concepts of designing biosensors through a common example. Biosensors have three main parts; biorecognition layer, transducers and electronics and they usually produce an electrical signal related to the specific analyte. In this course with lectures and practical exercises students will design and implement the main parts of an amperometric biosensor capable of glucose monitoring. Students will gain an insight of the complexities and design principles of a biosensor from scratch.

Course Outline:

  • Introduction to biosensors and nanobiosensors
  • Types of biorecognition elements
  • Surface functionalizing and modification approaches for biosensors
  • Transducer Basics: Sensors and Actuators
  • Signal acquisition and conditioning principles
  • Amperometric glucose biosensors
  • Design and production of glucose sensing layer
  • Signal conditioning for the amperometric glucose biosensor
  • Electronic circuit and PCB design.
DateCourse Syllabus
1Fundamental concepts of biosensors and related electronics
2Design, production and pre-tests of biorecognition part of the biosensor
3Design, implementation and tests of transducers and electronics part of the biosensor
4Integration of biorecognition layer and electronic parts and application of the biosensor

  

Instrumentation, Acquisition and Signal Processing for Biosignals

Dr. Mehmet Yüksekkaya

Biomedical signals are used to obtain crucial information about human health for diagnosis and treatment follow up. Acquiring biosignals from human body to a computer system is called biosignal acquisition and conditioning. For signal acquisition and conditioning, appropriate electronic instrumentation should be designed. In order to extract the crucial information from the acquired data, it should be processed.

This course is designed to be a practical introduction for all those stages. Students will design a basic instrumentation circuitry to acquire a specific biosignal and learn the fundamentals of signal conditioning. Further, they will learn the essential principles of digital signal processing and will apply those principles in a practical example. After this course, students will get significant theoretical and practical skills for biosignal acquisition and processing.

Course Synopsis: 

  • Introduction to the design of analog circuits for signal conditioning.
  • Practical design of a biosignal acquisition instrument.
  • Introduction to digital signal processing.
  • Processing of biosignal for feature extraction. 
DateCourse Syllabus
1Introduction to biosignal acquisition and digital signal processing theory. Practical introduction to MATLAB and PCB circuit design
2Design, implementation and tests of a practical biosignal acquisition instrumentation
3Fundamentals of digital signal processing to be applied for the design
4Biosignal analysis and feature extraction

  

Embedded Systems

Dr. Gerardo Marx Chávez-Campos

Nowadays, the “Embedded Systems” and its integration with the “Internet of Things” has become crucial for developing healthcare and industrial applications. Thus, to understand the developing process of apps on the embedded system that uses as the central operative system “Linux” are fundamental. Even more, this first approach to the most used operative system on servers, supercomputers, and single devices will guide the student to understand the complete integration of hardware electronics and code for developing from simple to complex tasks.

During the course, the student will realize by doing the fundamentals of how to work on the embedded board by accessing hardware, input/output digital ports, read the digital to analog converters. Then, the student will create an application to read and log data into structured frameworks. The registered data will be processed and analyzed using Python.

Course Synopsis: 

  • Introduction to the beagle bone boards
  • The beagle software
  • Developing basic applications
  • The Linux file system
  • Interfacing electronics
  • GPIO interfacing
  • Internet of things
  • A final project
DateCourse Syllabus
1Introduction to the beagle boards and basic applications
2Control versions and interfacing electronics
3IoT
4A final project

Costs and Facts

Background Information

Target group: Undergraduate students of engineering after 2 years of study (lane A and B) and graduate students of engineering (lane C)

Course credits: up to 6 ECTS credits

Location: Jade University in Wilhelmshaven, northern part of Germany

Time frame: 27 August until 16 September 2023

Organizer: Jade University, Department of Engineering Sciences and International Office

Registration

20 March until 15 May 2023
Please use online application form

Application, Course Fee & Funding

General course fee: 500,- €

International students (free movers):
All international students can apply for scholarships and have to submit the following documents by e-mail to Iris Wilters:
Statement of motivation, curriculum vitae, passport copy, most recent grades and a letter of recommendation from a professor.
We will inform you at the beginning of June 2023 whether you are accepted or not.

Students from partner universities (see list below):
Ask your local coordinator to sign up. She/he will tell you about the special costs which your group of students will have to pay.
Please send a statement of motivation, curriculum vitae, passport copy, most recent grades and a letter of recommendation from your local coordinator by e-mail to Iris Wilters.

Students from Jade University:
Students from Jade University have to be registered for autumn semester 2023/24.  
Ask the organisation team in Wilhelmshaven for further information and course fees.

Students from abroad may be eligible for a scholarship and will be informed about the possibilities after having handed in their complete application documents.

If you have any questions please contact our International OfficeIris Wilters.

Board & Lodging

We will book a shared room at the hostel- ship ARCONA for you, including breakfast (costs to be determined).

Please note that there are no cooking facilities at the hotel. You can obtain a low-cost lunch in the university canteen. For dinner you will have to go to restaurants or buy snacks.

Insurance and Entry formalities

Please note the general conditions for participation:

  • Sufficient health insurance cover is a prerequisite for participation in our Summer School; accident and liability insurance is also strongly recommended.
  • Jade University does not provide insurance cover for students.
  • Please note the special travel regulations for entering Germany/EU and check the conditions of your health and travel insurance.

Partner Institutions

Baskent Universität (Türkei)
Prof. Dr. Dilek Çökeliler
Dr. Cengiz Koçum

Universität Ankara (Türkei)
Dr. Mehmet Yüksekkaya

Instituto Nacional de Telecomunicações - Inatel (Brasilien)
Prof. Dr. Yvo Marcelo Chiaradia Masselli

Morelia Institute of Technology (Mexiko)
Dr. Gerardo Marx Chávez-Campos

Óbuda-Universität (Ungarn)
Dr. Gábor Kertész
Dániel Kiss

St.-Istvan-Universität (Ungarn)
Dr. Miklós Daróczi

Politehnica University Timisoara (Rumänien)
Dr. Alin Totorean
Dr. Sergiu Galatanu

Participating Partners

Baskent University

Biomedical Engineering Department
Ankara, Turkey

Ankara University

Ankara, Turkey

Óbuda University

Budapest, Hungary

Szent István University

Gödöllö, Hungary

Politehnica University of Timisoara

Mechanical Engineering Faculty
Timisoara, Romania

Jade University

Wilhelmshaven, Germany

Application

The online application will be available from March 20th to May 15th, 2023. Students from abroad may also apply for a scholarship until 15 May 2023.

If you have any questions, please contact our International Office, Iris Wilters.