COURSE CONTENT

Academic Year 2022/2023 Semester 2

Course Coordinator Asst Prof. Tong Ling / Dr Antonio Alvarez
Course Code BG2103
Course Title Signal Processing in Biosystems (Core)
Pre-requisites Nil
No of AUs 3
Contact Hours 26 hours lecture, 12 hours tutorial
Proposal Date 18 October 2019

Course Aims
The main aim for this 13-week programme is to offer a complete and concise knowledge for the
acquisition and extracts a priori desired information from bio-system. To achieve this aforesaid
aim, 5 main areas of signals processing in biosystem are focused: (1) Discussion of an overall
views and fundamental ideas in of signals and systems. (2) Identification and processing of the
different types of signals. (3) Comprehension and examination of signals acquired in an
infinitesimally short amount of time in the ideal situation, and sampled with finite period in the
practical case. (4) Conception of signals and systems from a time- and frequency-stand point. (5)
Development of methodology for desired signals extractions and noise reductions.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

The main outcome is the understanding the characteristic of the signal in bio-systems and use of
signal processing techniques for improving the signal for further analysis.

Upon successfully completing this course, you should be able to (in corresponding to the 5 main
areas of focus in the course aims above):

1) Discuss the basic concepts of signals and systems;

2) Perform calculations and distinguishes on the various types of signals;
3) Carry out evaluations of signals in the continuous-time or discrete-time domain;
4) Analyse signals and systems in the time and frequency domain for performing conversion
between these two domains; and
5) Design digital filters.

Course Content
The course content is as follows:
• Education of the importance and nature of biomedical signal processing;
• Comprehension of the different types and characteristics of signals;
• Operation and calculation on different commonly used signals;
• Comprehension of correlation between the input and output of a system (time-invariant and
linear system in particular);
• Determination of the convolution between signals;
• Explanation of synthesis and analysis of Fourier series in continuous-time domain signals;
• Education of the Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform in continuous-time domain
signals;
• Explanation of digital signal processing system operation;
• Determination of the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and inverse discrete Fourier transform
for sequence of data;
• Education of fast Fourier transform for sequence of data;
• Determination of the 𝑧-transform and inverse 𝑧-transform for given discrete-time sequence;
• Education of digital filter design;

RESTRICTED
• Explanation of finite impulse response filters and infinite impulse response filters design; and
• Comprehension and application the window method in filter design.

Assessment (includes both continuous and summative assessment)

Component Course Related Weighting Team Assessment

LO Tested Programme /Individual rubrics
LO or
Graduate
Attributes
1. Continuous ILO (1 – 5) EAB SLOs a, b, 40% Individual N.A. not
Assessment (40%) c project-based
Quizzes will be
conducted
2. Final ILO (1 – 5) EAB SLOs a, b, 60% Individual N.A. not
Examination (60%) c project-based
(2hrs, Closed
Book, exam paper
not allowed to be
removed from
exam hall)
Total 100%

Mapping of Course ILOs to EAB Graduate Attributes

Course Intended EAB’s 12 Graduate Attributes*
Cat
Learning Outcomes (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) (l)
Core ◐ ◐ ◐
1) Discuss the basic concepts of signals and systems a
2) Perform calculations and distinguishes on the various types of
a, b
signals
3) Carry out evaluations of signals in the continuous-time or discrete-
a, b
time domain
4) Analyse signals and systems in the time and frequency domain for
a, b
performing conversion between these two domains
5) Design digital filters a, b, c

Legend: ● Fully consistent (contributes to more than 75% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
◐ Partially consistent (contributes to about 50% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
š Weakly consistent (contributes to about 25% of Intended Learning Outcomes)
Blank Not related to Student Learning Outcomes

Formative feedback
There are various feedback strata throughout this module to ensure your progressive
improvement leading up to the examination.
1. Informal feedback
To ensure inclusiveness, you are encouraged to ask questions and offer viewpoints during
lectures. This is to ensure no misunderstanding about the principles taught and the correct
knowledge entrenched at all times.
2. Continuous-assessment feedback
Results and answers are discussed after the continuous assessment. After the quiz, you will
have the opportunity to look into the marked script about their individual work and knowledge.
 This test is an important milestone for you to measure your performance and take steps to
improve, prior to the final exam. Additionally, the quiz answers will be discussed in class.
3. Formal feedback
Survey will be conducted on NTULearn to obtain feedbacks from you on the teaching style.
4. Examiner’s final grading
You will receive the marker’s grading on the overall examination performance after the formal
release of exam results.

Learning and Teaching approach

Approach How does this approach support students in achieving the learning
outcomes?

Lecture Lectures begin with the introduction of fundamental concepts, theories and
equations. Information is instilled using examples and scenarios that help
better understanding. Interactive questions will also be initiated to encourage
inquisitiveness, active participation, and to also check if the student is lagging
behind. The content presentation in lecture notes is illustrative in nature using
mathematics, graphs, shapes, colours, charts and animation. Lecture
presentations are created and displayed primarily on MS PowerPoint. During
lecture, technology videos of various cutting edge and innovative signal
processing methodology will be shown as well.

Tutorial TBL classroom discussion sessions on tutorial questions and related topics.
Each set of answers will be accompanied by additional detailed discussions to
invite different viewpoints or additional method in solving the questions from the
rest of the class.

Reading and References

1. Eugene N. Bruce, Biomedical signal processing and signal modelling, Wiley, 2001.

Course Policies and Student Responsibilities

General: You are expected to complete all tutorials and quizzes. Moreover, students are expected
to take responsibility to follow up with course notes, assignments and course related
announcements. You are expected to participate proactively in all tutorial discussions and
activities.

Continuous assessments: You are required to attend all continuous assessments.

Absenteeism: Continuous assessments make up a significant portion of your course grade.
Absence from continuous assessments without officially approved leave will result in no marks and
affect your overall course grade.

Academic Integrity
Good academic work depends on honesty and ethical behaviour. The quality of your work as a
student relies on adhering to the principles of academic integrity and to the NTU Honour Code, a
set of values shared by the whole university community. Truth, Trust and Justice are at the core
of NTU’s shared values.

As a student, it is important that you recognize your responsibilities in understanding and applying
the principles of academic integrity in all the work you do at NTU. Not knowing what is involved in
maintaining academic integrity does not excuse academic dishonesty. You need to actively equip
yourself with strategies to avoid all forms of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, academic
fraud, collusion and cheating. If you are uncertain of the definitions of any of these terms, you
should go to the academic integrity website for more information. Consult your instructor(s) if you
need any clarification about the requirements of academic integrity in the course.

Course Instructors

Instructor Office Location Phone Email

Tong Ling N1.3-B3-13 6316 8879 [email protected]
Antonio Alvarez [email protected]

Planned Weekly Schedule

Week Topic Course LO Readings/ Activities

1 Introduction and basic concepts of ILO 1, 2
signals and systems
2 Basic operation on signals and ILO 1, 2, 3
elementary signal
3 System properties and interconnection of ILO 1, 2, 3
systems
4 Linear time-invariant systems and ILO 1, 2, 3
convolutions
5 Fourier series ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
6 Fourier transform ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
7 Discrete Fourier transform ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
8 Digital signal processing ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
9 Fast Fourier transform ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
10 Z-transform and inverse Z-transform ILO 1, 2, 3, 4
11 Infinite and finite impulse response filters ILO 1, 2, 3, 5
12 Window method ILO 1, 2, 3, 5
13 Filter design steps ILO 1, 2, 3, 5
Appendix 2: The EAB (Engineering Accreditation Board) Accreditation SLOs (Student
Learning Outcomes)

a) Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, natural science,

engineering fundamentals, and an engineering specialisation to the solution of complex
engineering problems
b) Problem Analysis: Identify, formulate, research literature, and analyse complex
engineering problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of
mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering sciences.
c) Design/development of Solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems
and design system components or processes that meet the specified needs with
appropriate consideration for public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations.
d) Investigation: Conduct investigations of complex problems using research-based
knowledge and research methods including design of experiments, analysis and
interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to provide valid conclusions.
e) Modern Tool Usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and
modern engineering and IT tools including prediction and modelling to complex
engineering activities with an understanding of the limitations
f) The engineer and Society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to
assess societal, health, safety, legal, and cultural issues and the consequent
responsibilities relevant to the professional engineering practice.
g) Environment and Sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering
solutions in societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and
need for the sustainable development.
h) Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and
norms of the engineering practice.
i) Individual and Team Work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or
leader in diverse teams and in multidisciplinary settings.
j) Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the
engineering community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and
write effective reports and design documentation, make effective presentations, and give
and receive clear instructions.
k) Project Management and Finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the
engineering and management principles and economic decision-making, and apply these
to one’s own work, as a member and leader in a team, to manage projects and in
multidisciplinary environments.
l) Life-long Learning: Recognise the need for, and have the preparation and ability to
engage in independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological
change