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EEEN40350

Academic Year 2024/2025

Rehabilitation Engineering (EEEN40350)

Subject:
Electronic & Electrical Eng
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Electrical & Electronic Eng
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Giacomo Severini
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module introduces students to the field of Rehabilitation Engineering. Students will learn about the principles underpinning Rehabilitation Engineering through a mixture of lectures, assignements, and practical exercises. The course will consist of 24 lectures spanning 12 weeks and additional laboratory time. Students will be based in UCD, Belfield and the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the use of Engineering Techniques in Rehabilitation.
At the end of the module students will:

- Have a basic knowledge of the neurophysiology of motor control and motor learning
- Have a basic knowledge of the effect of the most common neurological diseases on motor control and motor learning
- Have substantial knowledge of the most common techniques for movement analysis
- Have substantial knowledge of the most common technologies for rehabilitation and assistance of movement of impaired individuals.
- Be able to apply engineering principles and techniques to the development of innovative technology for assisting and training movement in impaired individuals.

Indicative Module Content:

The following is an indicative list of lecture topics:

- Rehabilitation Engineering - Contextual overview & historical background:
The incidence and societal cost of injury and rehabilitation; Historical overview of the scientific and technological field; Group assignment definition and discussion.

- Neurophysiology and basic concepts of Motor Control and Motor Learning: Introduction of the strategies and the structures the human body employs during the planning, execution and learning of movements. Comparison between healthy and clinical population.

- Orthotics & prosthetic design
History of prosthetics and orthotics in Rehabilitation. Introduction to issues in upper and lower limb prosthetic design. Recent developements in upper limb prosthetics and myoelectric control.

- Analysis of Movement - Clinical gait and motion analysis
Introduction to gait analysis and applications. The technology - 3D kinematics, force plates, electromyography. Data analysis and interpretation. Clinical outcome assessment with an emphasis on rehabilitation.

- Advanced techniques for biomedical signal processing. Advanced EMG processing; EEG processing. Application of these techniques in the study of motor control and motor learning and in the development of assistive and training devices.

- Rehabilitation and assistive technologies:
This module serves as an introduction to the field of Assistive Technology. It provides students with an overview of popular technologies available and outlines their use by and for people with disabilities. Students will have the chance to get a sense of how the field is advancing. Technologies covered will be, among the others, Robotics for rehab, wearable sensors, brain computer interfaces, functional stimulation.

- Universal Design:
Principles of universal design. The design of all products and environments to be usable by everyone regardless of age, ability or situation, with particular reference to its relevance in the field of Rehabilitation Engineering. This component is delivered in conjunction with the Centre for Universal Design at the National Disability Authority.

- National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) - practical/laboratory activity:
Visit the UCD/NRH rehabilitation engineering research laboratory on the hospital campus in Dun Laoghaire. Review of past and current rehabilitation engineering projects by the engineering staff and some demonstrations.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24

Practical

6

Specified Learning Activities

10

Autonomous Student Learning

70

Total

110


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- Lectures
- Critical Writing
- Creativity exercises
- Group work
- On-site visit

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Rehabilitation Engineering (EEME40350)


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Continous Assessment Week 3, Week 6, Week 11 Graded No
30
No
Exam (In-person): Final Exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
Graded Yes
70
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 13:00 - 13:50
Spring Practical Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 33 Tues 15:00 - 16:50