Postgraduate Course: Biosensors (PGEE11041)

Course Outline
School	School of Engineering	College	College of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	10	ECTS Credits	5
Summary	This course provides instruction in the basic science and engineering concepts required to understand the design and application of biosensors. These are defined as self contained integrated devices capable of providing analytical information, using a biological recognition element in conjunction with a secondary transduction element. Different biosensor systems are explored, ranging from electrochemical devices, through to optical or thermal systems. Instruction is also given in the general principles of sampling and analysis, statistical presentation and manipulation of data. This module serves as an introduction to some of the biosensors and measurement techniques covered in the semester 2 course Biosensors & Instrumentation.
Course description	This introductory course begins by defining the basic concept of a biosensor and what differentiates this from any other chemical sensor. Additional background reading is supplied providing information on basic concepts in chemistry, thermodynamics and cell biology. The course is taught through lectures and tutorials by two academics with research experience in this field. Typically there will be 2-3 additional guest lectures on current active biosensors research at The University of Edinburgh. The course is partly assessed through a final exam and partly through an assignment where students will research a particular biosensor topic and present their critical review in the form of a written report. Lecture topics include (but are not limited to): Chemical Sensors and Biosensors Biosensor Design Introduction to Electrochemistry Electrochemical Sensors Control of Electrode Reactions 3-Electrode Systems and Reference Electrodes Ion Sensitive Electrodes Electrochemical Biosensors Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Molecular bonds and spectroscopy Fluorescence in Biosensing Students will be expected both to gain an understanding of the basic concepts of biosensing technology, and an appreciation of the state of the art and future directions.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites		Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	None

Course Delivery Information

Academic year 2015/16, Not available to visiting students (SS1)		Quota: None
Course Start	Semester 1
Timetable	Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info)	Total Hours: 100 ( Lecture Hours 18, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 6, Formative Assessment Hours 1, Summative Assessment Hours 4, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 69 )
Assessment (Further Info)	Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)	80% Exam, 20% coursework
Feedback	Feedback opportunities will include the opportunity to submit a past exam paper for formative feedback and to pre-submit the coursework assignment to get useful comments on how it could be improved before the final deadline.
Exam Information
Exam Diet	Paper Name		Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)	Biosensors		2:00

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Understand the basic principles of biosensing in terms of biological, chemical and optical/photonic responses Demonstrate knowledge of the general principles of sampling and analysis, statistical presentation and manipulation of data generated by biosensors Demonstrate familiarity with the literature on biosensors, including up to date knowledge of the state of the art and the direction of future developments Understand and integrate knowledge from other engineering disciplines, particularly biomedical engineering Demonstrate knowledge of the industrial and socioeconomic context of biosensor development and market