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Unit of study_

BMET5933: Biomedical Image Analysis

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

Biomedical imaging technology is a fundamental element of both clinical practice and biomedical research, enabling the visualisation of biological characteristics and function often in a non-invasive fashion. The advancement of digital scanning technologies alongside the development of computational tools has driven significant progress in medical image analysis tools that support clinical decisions and the analysis of data from biological experiments. The focus of this unit will be the development of fundamental computational skills and knowledge in biomedical imaging, including data acquisition, formats, visualisation, segmentation, feature extraction, and machine learning based image analysis. On completion of this unit, students will be able to engineer and develop solutions for different biomedical imaging tasks encountered across a variety of use cases: clinical practice (e.g., computerised disease detection and diagnosis), research (e.g., cell video analysis), and industry (e.g., fabrication of customised implants from patient image data).

Unit details and rules

Unit code BMET5933
Academic unit Biomedical Engineering
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

An understanding of biology (1000-level), experience with programming (ENGG1801, ENGG1810, BMET2922 or BMET9922)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sandhya Clement, sandhya.clement@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Sandhya Clement, sandhya.clement@sydney.edu.au
Ashnil Kumar, ashnil.kumar@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Open book) Type C final exam Exam
Final Exam
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment Laboratory report
Students will be given a lecture topic related exercise to work through.
10% Multiple weeks Code to solve the laboratory exercise
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Image Processing
Students will be given a set of image analysis tasks to work through.
20% Week 06 Problem set and code.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO4 LO3
Small test Quiz
Online quiz
10% Week 07 Between 45 min-1 hour (see Canvas).
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Image Classification
A research paper describing a solution to a biomedical image analysis task.
20% Week 12 6-8 pages and code.
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type C final exam = Type C final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Image Processing Assignment: Students will be given a dataset and will be asked to conduct a set of specific analyses on the biomedical image data. The assignment will ask students to to implement some code, conduct the analysis, write a brief report, and then demonstrate their analysis to the class. The report and any code must be submitted on Canvas. During the next laboratory class, students will demonstrate and explain their findings.

  • Quiz: This quiz will cover all material covered up until the end of Week 6, including both lecture and laboratory materials. Students can expect a mix of questions, which may include multiple choice, matching, and short answers. Questions will not be simply recall of facts but instead may ask students to apply their understanding. The quiz will be open book.

  • Image Classification Assignment: Students will be given a biomedical imaging dataset and will be asked to implement image classification algorithms using the skills they have developed during laboratories. They will be expected to evaluate and test their algorithm, and present their findings in the form of a research conference paper. The paper and any code must be submitted on Canvas. During the next laboratory class, students will demonstrate and explain their findings. It is expected students will work in pairs, with groups of 3 allowed for odd numbers of students.

  • Laboratory Report: For each lab session starting from week 3, students are required to submit a short lab report (as pdf file) that includes all the code covered in the exercises, and if the problem requires it, please also provide your thoughts and solutions in short sentences. The submissions are expected only for the laboratory works done on Week 3, 4, 9 (8&9 combined), 10, 11 and 12. The tutor will post the Week 2 lab solutions for you to follow as an example for your lab submissions. So, there will be a total of six lab reports, of which the five highest scoring reports will be counted toward your final grade.

  • Final Exam: The exam will cover all material covered up until the end of semester, including both lecture and laboratory materials. Students can expect a mix of questions, which may include multiple choice, matching, and short answers, and extended answer questions. Questions that require an extended response may ask students to demonstrate deep understanding of the course material either through application, analysis, or synthesis.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of an exceptional standard

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of a very high standard

Credit

65 - 74

Work of a good standard

Pass

50 - 64

Work at an acceptable standard

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A late penalty of 5% per day late (or part thereof) will be applied. After 10 days, a mark of zero will be given unless special consideration has been received.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Review of content, work on assessments, research readings, and online supplementary activities. Independent study (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 01 Unit introduction Online class (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Biomedical image acquisition Online class (2 hr) LO1
Introduction to imaging toolboxes Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 03 Fundamental processing and analysis Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Fundamental image processing and analysis Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO5
Week 04 Biomedical image segmentation Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Biomedical image segmentation Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 05 Biomedical image visualisation Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Biomedical image visualisation Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 06 Biomedical image registration and fusion Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Biomedical image registration and fusion Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Quiz Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment 1 Demonstration Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Artificial intelligence in biomedical imaging Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Image classification and prediction Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Deep learning and convolutional neural networks in biomedical imaging - Part 1 Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Image classification and prediction Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Deep learning and convolutional neural networks in biomedical imaging - Part 2 Online class (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO6
Convolutional neural networks Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Putting it all together - Case Study 1 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Convolutional neural networks Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Putting it all together - Case Study 2 Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Convolutional neural networks Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Unit Review Online class (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment 2 Demonstration Computer laboratory (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all classes, as per the Faculty Resolutions: https://www.sydney.edu.au/handbooks/engineering/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml 

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

References and readings will be provided on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the context, sources, and applications of biomedical imaging and image analysis.
  • LO2. Understand and apply a variety of fundamental image processing techniques across a variety of biomedical imaging contexts.
  • LO3. Appraise the effectiveness of different biomedical image analysis algorithms and tools using standard performance metrics.
  • LO4. Create solutions for prediction and classification tasks in biomedical imaging through the combination of image processing and machine learning techniques.
  • LO5. Implement prototype software solutions for biomedical image analysis tasks using existing software packages and libraries.
  • LO6. Assess the strengths and limitations of emerging biomedical image analysis algorithms from research literature.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the second time this unit has been offered. An additional assessment (laboratory report), (weight 10%) has been added compared to last time. As a result, the weightage of existing assessments such as Final Exam and Quiz has been adjusted. These changes are done based on the USS feedback received last time (S1 2021).

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.