Project 14: Biosensors the size of a fingertip
About this course
- Responsible lecturer: Yuqing Jiao
- Academic level:
- Number of students:
- Disciplines: EE
- Status:
- Topic: This Multi-Disciplinary Challenge-Based Learning project challenges students to propose and design a biosensor integrated into a single semiconductor chip. The core problem involves bridging the biological and optical domains to translate the presence of small amounts of biomolecules into a detectable optical signal. This technology aims to enable mass-manufactured, low-cost, and highly sensitive home diagnostics for a wide range of conditions.
Setup
The course begins with a kick-off meeting and introductory lectures. Teams attend two four-hour group meetings per week on Wednesdays and Fridays. During these four-hour blocks, each group is assigned a dedicated one-hour contact session with their tutor. The timeline includes a mid-term presentation in week 4 and concludes with a final presentation in week 9.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO’s)
By the end of the course, students are expected to:
- Understand the working principles of optical sensing techniques.
- Acquire and apply disciplinary knowledge on optical detection methods.
- Design and optimise an optical system for the sensing application.
Moreover, in the CBL framework, the following is expected and will be observed:
- Application-oriented learning.
- Problem-solving.
- Critical thinking.
- Real-World relevance.
- Collaborative learning (teamwork).
Learning activities
Students engage in team-based design to propose a single-chip biosensor architecture. Weekly activities involve structured group meetings, consultations with assigned tutors, and the option to seek guidance from a senior optics expert. Furthermore, students must complete individual self-study assignments (SSAs) and conduct peer assessments at both the mid-term and final stages of the project.
Assessment
The final grade is split evenly between individual and group performance
Individual Evaluation (50%)
- Evaluated based on group meeting involvement, cooperation capacity, the quality of submitted self-study assignments, and individual contributions to the group's work
- The final individual grade combines a 50% intermediate assessment and a 50% final assessment, both of which incorporate input from peer reviews
Group Assessment (50%)
- Final Report (40%)
- Intermediate Presentation (30%)
- Final Presentation (30%)
Learning environment
The course is designed for on-campus collaboration. The kick-off lecture occurs in Auditorium 07, whilst group and tutor meetings are hosted in the Traverse building (specifically rooms 1.29, 1.31, and 1.33). Presentations are held in locations such as Gemini-zuid 3A.06. Online or hybrid participation is strictly limited to approved exceptions, such as illness or public transport issues
More information
For more information, contact Yuqing(Responsible Lecturer) at y.jiao@tue.nl
Contacts
