Through a combination of lectures, hands-on experiments, and group collaborations, students can examine the processes behind neural and muscular control.
BIOMEDE 599, Applied Neural Control, focuses on innovation and engagement in the classroom, blending theory with practical experience. This course provides graduate and upper-class undergraduate students with an opportunity to delve into the world of neurostimulation. Through a combination of lectures, hands-on experiments, and group collaborations, students can examine the processes behind neural and muscular control.
“I wanted this course to be a practical experience,” said Tim Bruns, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering. “In BME 599, students not only learn about neurostimulation concepts, but also get to experience neurostimulation firsthand. They’re both the scientists and the subjects, feeling what it’s like to have electrical stimulation applied to them, and using that experience to understand the underlying physiology and potential therapeutic applications.”
Central to this student experience is the use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) units. Despite their simplicity, these off-the-shelf devices turn the classroom into a real-world laboratory, offering students a platform to explore neural control. “Using TENS units allows us to experiment effectively and safely. It’s fascinating to see students gather data that mirrors what we study in the lab,” Dr. Bruns said. “There’s something exciting about watching your students make those connections. It’s like seeing your work come to life.”
“The experiments are very hands-on,” said Ph.D. student Adrian Porras Laura. “You can be the test subject or the data collector, and both provide important opportunities to learn about the course. In all, the topics we covered in class are great exposure to what is being used in research and industry, giving us a solid foundation of electrical stimulation. Furthermore, this class lines up extremely well with the other neural engineering courses. BIOMEDE 417, 517, and 527 all complement each other through theory, literature, and application.”
The course, introduced this past winter semester, had 17 students. Striking a balance between academia and industry applications, it attracts master’s and Ph.D. candidates who are keen on embedding neural control principles into their professional pursuits. “Most students seem to be gravitating towards industry positions,” Dr. Bruns said. “This course is designed to provide both academic and industrial pathways, teaching skills that are vital, whether students are developing new medical devices or joining research teams.”
The learning experience is carefully structured around experiment modules that stimulate curiosity and hone scientific acuity. Dr. Bruns leads with short lectures and discussions, setting the stage for experiments that range from understanding strength-duration relationships to mapping muscle responses with varying electrode placements. “They learn by doing,” he added. “For example, in one module, we explored how electrode placement can influence muscle recruitment, which could inform rehabilitation techniques for stroke patients,” Dr. Bruns explained, emphasizing the importance of highlighting teamwork and experimental planning throughout the course.
Despite its rigorous design, the class is adaptable. Dr. Bruns said he reminded his students that he built the course “completely from scratch,” noting that “one experiment took longer than expected, but it taught the students about the unpredictability of real research. The surprises and challenges make it all the more rewarding.”
Looking ahead, BIOMEDE 599 is positioned to become a regular course offering within the department. “I envision this course being offered annually,” Dr. Bruns said. For students seeking an engaging, hands-on experience in applied neural stimulation, this course provides the opportunity to combine theoretical foundations with practical experience–one electrical pulse at a time. “I would recommend this course to not just neural engineering focused students, but any student that may be interested in engineering as a whole,” added Porras Laura.