Cutting-Edge Neurotechnology MRes Program at Department of Bioengineering

1. Department of BioengineeringMRes Neurotechnology Dr Andrei Kozlov MResNeurotechnology Director

2. What is Neurotechnology? Dictionary: Any technology concerned with the nervous system Perhaps more usefully, as a field: • The development of tools for observing, understanding, and manipulating the nervous system • Includes both basic science and clinical applications (diagnostic and therapeutic) • In principle includes augmentation as well as treatment (some ethical sensitivity) • Bidirectional: not just technology for neuroscience, but also technology from neuroscience (examples range from the optical mouse to visual search) • Highly multidisciplinary • cf. Neural Engineering Live mouse brain imaged at subcellular resolution with two photon microscopy

3. The Centre for Neurotechnology • Houses the CDT Neurotechnology • Part of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering Institute of Biomedical Engineering

4. Our mission: To train a new generation of multidisciplinary researchers working to develop and harness new technologies for understanding and treating brain disorders.

5. Department of Bioengineering • MRes “Home” Department • All students registered in Bioengineering for the MRes year • Multiple research themes including neurotechnology

6. People Dr Andrei Kozlov Director of MRes Neurotechnology Dr Kate Hobson Centre for Neurotechnology Manager/ MRes Neurotechnology admin contact Ms Melanie Albright Student Programmes and Department Process Development Manager Ms Jayne Stringer Student Administrator (Research) Dr Angela Kedgley Director of Postgraduate Studies (Research) Dr Adam Celiz Deputy Director of Postgraduate Studies Dr Tom Ellis Postgraduate Tutor Ms Sandra Roscoe Student Wellbeing Advisor

7. MRes: Programme structure

8. MRes: Taught Modules • Neuroscience • Statistical and Computational Methods for Research • Python programming and statistical methods • Frontiers in Neurotechnology • weekly journal club, plus monthly seminars • Topics in Neural Engineering • two elective modules to be chosen in consultation with supervisor • module descriptions available on online DSS system • selections must be made by end of week 1

9. MRes: Research Project • Lab rotations not project rotations: produce one thesis at end of year • Organise with your supervisors: • They will have a plan for the MRes project, but this can be altered to suit student/circumstances • Spend time working in/with at least 2 labs

10. MRes: Assessment • Taught element: • Written exams (Dec/Jan) • Coursework • Journal Club presentations • Research element: • Planning report (Feb) • Poster presentation (July) • Thesis submission & oral exam (Sept) • Marked by supervisors + independent examiner • Timeline and details on Blackboard VLE

11. Additional Neurotechnology training/activities • Centre for Neurotechnology Seminars • monthly seminars • important part of training to broaden knowledge and enhance cross-cohort interaction & compulsory as part of Frontiers in Neurotechnology Research module • details on Centre website • Centre for Neurotechnology Annual Research symposium • Public Engagement training • Imperial Festival outreach activity

12. Imperial Festival • MRes cohort works together to create interactive exhibits for the annual Imperial Festival

13. Things to know – Health and Safety • Read safety section in handbook • Familiarise yourself with Bioengineering safety website at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/bioengineering/admin/info/safety/ • Complete online safety registration and risk assessment forms via dept website • Check also safety information for your other departments • Attend lab and fire safety sessions in Welcome Week • View College health and safety video

14. Things to know – Access • Locations: Bioengineering, Supervisors’ home departments • Access to many areas is via ID card • Bioengineering: Open from 7am to 11pm. Some areas on swipe (access provided automatically) • Other departments: • Check department for access times • Request access via supervisor/department admin • Lab access given ONLY after safety induction completed

15. Things to know – ICT general • Login/password provided by ICT • Problems: contact Service desk via ICT webpages or dial 49000 • Printing: allowance from department – use ID card to access shared printers via ICT printservice (see ICT website to set up) • Check handbook and ICT website for details of email, cloud storage, free software etc

16. Things to know – ICT – MRes-related • Blackboard: College Virtual Learning Environment, used for: • Providing module/programme information (timetables, lecture notes, assessment timelines, marking criteria) • Uploading assignments • Releasing marks • Attend ICT/Blackboard session in Welcome Week • Departmental Student System (DSS), used for: • Selecting elective modules – by end of week 1 • Check handbook and MRes webpage for other relevant info • CHECK YOUR IMPERIAL EMAIL REGULARLY – we communicate important information this way

17. Things to know – Support • There are plenty of people available in the Department and College to help you should you need it – don’t be afraid to ask! • Your supervisors • MRes Director: Andrei Kozlov • Centre Manager: Kate Hobson • Student Office: Melanie Albright & Jayne Stringer • Postgraduate Tutor: Tom Ellis • Wellbeing Advisor: Sandra Roscoe • College-wide: Tutors, Counselling, Health Centre, Chaplaincy • Check your handbook and the College Student Spaceweb pages for full details – there is always someone available to talk to

18. Advice

19. Welcome Week timetable

20. Questions? Centre Manager: Email: k.hobson@imperial.ac.uk MRes Director: Email: a.kozlov@imperial.ac.uk http://www.imperial.ac.uk/bioengineering/admin/research/mres/