This syllabus is valid: 2023-08-28
and until further notice
Course code: 3RA042
Credit points: 7.5
Education level: Second cycle
Main Field of Study and progress level:
Biomedical Engineering: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Physics: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Established by: Programme Council for the Biomedicine Programmes, 2022-10-10
Contents
This course is about medical imaging and how it can be applied to study the human body in health and disease. The course deals with various methods that are common in both clinical practice and in medical research to study organ function and detect diseases. The course introduces general image properties and common reconstruction and analysis techniques. The course then deals with the four major imaging modalities: X-ray / computed tomography, nuclear medicine with emphasis on positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). For each imaging modality, an overview of the instrumentation and relevant physics theory is given. A significant part of the course is devoted to algorithms used in the analysis of medical images.
Computer laboratories for medical image analysis provide relevant practical experience with methods to facilitate the interpretation of collected data. The laboratories are structured based on problems in medical image processing, taken from ongoing research projects at the department.
The course is given in English.
The course consists of two modules: Module 1, theoretical work, 5 credits Module 2, laboratory work, 2.5 credits
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
The student must be able to:
Define and describe the physics and key principles of important medical imaging modalities: Conventional X-ray, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound.
Explain concepts about how the quality of medical images can be characterized and explain mathematical techniques of special importance in image acquisition and image reconstruction.
Explain important concepts in medical image analysis (including image registration, segmentation, function detection / extraction, filtering).
Skills and abilities:
The student must be able to:
Identify and perform relevant imaging experiments for a given task, taking into account the physics behind the imaging modality.
Identify and apply algorithms and procedures for analyzes of medical images.
Recognize and interpret characteristic image artifacts in medical images.
Judgement and approach:
The student must be able to:
Critically reflect on and discuss the role of the medical image in healthcare and medical research.
Weigh the benefits and limitations associated with different medical imaging modalities against eachother, in different scenarios in medicine.
Required Knowledge
At least 90 ECTS, of which 20 ECTS in physics, 5 ECTS in statistics and 5 ECTS in basic programming. Proficiency in English A/6 to meet the general entry requirements for higher studies in Sweden.
Form of instruction
The teaching is campus-based and is conducted in the form of lectures as well as supervised laboratories, seminars and demonstrations. Only participation in the laboratories is compulsory. The teaching is conducted in English.
Examination modes
Module 1: Theoretical work, 5 credits. This part is tested individuelly through a written examination. Optional prelims are conducted on six occasions and can provide bonus points for the written exam (up to 10% of the exam's maximum score). The grading scale consists of Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). 50% of the exam's maximum score is required for a passing grade (G), and 80% is required to Pass with Distinction (VG).
Module 2: Laboration, 2.5 credits. This part is individuelly examined through written laboratory reports. The grading scale consists of Fail (U) or Pass (G).
On the course as a whole, the potential grades are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with distinction (VG). The grade is based on the grade received for module 1 and will not be given until all obligatory modules have been approved.
A student who has received a passing result on an exam may not take a new exam.
The examiner can decide on deviations from the examination form of the syllabus. Individual adaptation of the form of examination must be considered based on the student's needs. The form of the examination is adapted within the framework of the curriculum's expected study results. A student who needs an adapted examination, and who has received a decision on the right to support from the coordinator for students with disabilities at the Student Centre, must request adaptation from the department responsible for the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on an adapted examination, which is then notified to the student.
Other regulations
In the event that the course expires or major changes are introduced, the students are assured at least three occasions of examination (including regular examination) as prescribed in the syllabus to the course that the student originally registered in over a period of a maximum of two years from the previous syllabus expiration date.
