#  Electronics and Signal Processing for Experimental Rigs 

 





 Semester:   Spring 

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 Year offered:  2024 

 

 

 

 **To register for this course, please complete [this form](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8jMeosRIjibwgsK) by Wednesday, April 10, 2024**

##  Course description

 Biomedical researchers often build and use experimental rigs consisting of several interconnected electronic instruments. These rigs are typically used to make high-quality recordings of weak biological signals. The goal of this course is to demystify the rig: What does each instrument do? How should they be connected? How does one troubleshoot noise, or adjust settings in a principled way?  
   
The course will focus on fundamental concepts in electronics and signal processing, covering both theory and practice. It does not require any prior electronics knowledge. Topics include: signal impedance, capacitance, amplifiers and opAmp circuits, mitigating noise, digitization, sampling rates, and aliasing. These topics should be broadly applicable to experimental biologists who use a rig to generate or record small, precise signals in the presence of noise. We will rely on hands-on assignments to reinforce the lecture content and build intuitive understanding.

##  Course objectives

 After completing this nanocourse, students should feel more confident using the instruments on their rig and have a better sense for how signals flow between them.   
They should feel comfortable selecting appropriate settings for:

- filters
- amplification
- digitization (e.g., sampling rates)
- minimizing noise and maximizing signal quality.

##  Session dates, times, and location

 The course consists of three sessions, each with a one-hour lecture followed by a self-paced electronics assignment. (All materials for these assignments will be provided.) All classes will be held in WAB 236.

 Fri. April 26 (2:30–4:30pm): Basic Electronics  
Fri. May 3 (2:30–4:30pm): Noise and OpAmps  
Fri. May 10 (2:30–4:30pm): Digitization and Aliasing

##    
Milestone credit 

 In order to receive a Milestone, students must attend all \[3\] sessions and submit the associated engineering assignments on time.  
More information about Milestone Credit can be found [HERE](/nanocourses).

##  Course Team

 **Course directors/instructors**  
Ofer Mazor: [Ofer\_Mazor@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:Ofer_Mazor@hms.harvard.edu)  
Pavel Gorelik: [Pavel\_Gorelik@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:Pavel_Gorelik@hms.harvard.edu)  
Navid Mousavi: [seyednavid\_mousavi@g.harvard.edu](mailto:seyednavid_mousavi@g.harvard.edu)

 **Curriculum Fellow**  
Nicolette Frazer, Curriculum Fellow in Neurobiology: [nicolette\_frazer@hms.harvard.edu](mailto:nicolette_frazer@hms.harvard.edu)

##    
Enrollment limit

 This course will be capped at ~15 students. Students will be randomly chosen from the registration form. All are welcome (RAs, grad students, postdocs, etc.)

##    
Registration link & deadline

 **Registration deadline: Wednesday, April 10, 2024**  
[CLICK HERE](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8jMeosRIjibwgsK) to register, or paste the URL into your browser: [https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV\_8jMeosRIjibwgsK](https://hms.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8jMeosRIjibwgsK)