The goal of the course is the study of neuroengineering methods and technologies, models of computational motor control, design of neuroprostheses and robots for neurorehabilitation, and optical and electronics technologies for the reading and stimulation of in-vitro neuronal cultures.

Contents

Models for sensorimotor integration and computational neuroscience of motor control. Motor learning, adaptation and re-learning after brain damage. Models of motor control system and sensorimotor integration derived from psycophysics, movement biomechanics and computational neurosciences. Neural basis for motor control in humans. Motor re-learning after brain damage: neurorehabilitation issues.

Neurorobotics and Functional Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation Robotics in rehabilitation: introduction and control strategies. Functional Electrical Stimulation in neurorehabilitation: bioengineering issues. Biomimetic control systems for neuroprostheses. Interfacing and control, utilizing artificial neural networks for Functional Electrical Stimulation. Applications in rehabilitation.

In vitro Neuroengineering Basic in neuroengineering. Neuron on chip: perspectives in biotechnology. Spike detection: algorithms and experimental studies.

Organization of activities

Besides, the presentation of the contents of the course in frontal lectures, the teaching will include visits to external laboratories  and clinical premises. The last 4 weeks of the course are completely dedicated to the discussion teaching workshop, a team work activity of students on projects, which is presented to the whole class at the end of the course (soft skills training: communication, team work,  and flip-flop classes).

 Exam modalities for the whole course of Neuroengineering

The student will have to take two written tests (one for each part of the exam), which are averaged only if each part has achieved 14/30, and an optional oral exam. The maximal grade achievable by the only average of the two written parts is 26/30. The participation to the Discussion Teaching is optional, those who participate won’t have to take the oral part of the exam. The evaluation of the DT activities is personal and summed up to a maximum additional 6/30, to be added to the average  written exam score.