CLINIMAG 711 : MRI Clinical Applications 2

Medical and Health Sciences

2025 Semester Two (1255) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Addresses normal and abnormal imaging appearances, protocol selection and development, and applications associated with a range of MRI examinations. Students will examine standard and advanced pulse sequences in addition to investigating new and evolving techniques and applications. An emphasis will be placed on integrating theory and clinical practice elements to facilitate sound clinical decision making and clinical competence.

Course Overview

This course aims to cultivate a critically questioning approach to MR imaging practice relevant to examinations of the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and whole body. The course will expect students to assimilate the underlying physical principles of MRI with relevant biological processes and imaging appearances. Learning activities and assessments are designed to support the development of not only clinical competency, but also growth holistically as a reflective practitioner.

The course is delivered fully online by distance via the University of Auckland’s learning management system ‘Canvas’. It will incorporate a range of learning approaches including videos, webpages, links to the library databases and resources, and utilising online technologies to promote shared learning opportunities. Academic learning is expected to inform clinical practice and enhance levels of clinical competency.
                    
This course is a compulsory part of the PGDipHSc (MRI) programme. All students enrolled in this programme are eligible for direct entry to this course. For all other students, departmental approval is required and a concession request must be submitted when applying to enrol in this course. Access to a clinical MRI department is required.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: MEDIMAGE 714 Restriction: CLINIMAG 702

Course Contacts

Course Director
Shelley Park
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: shelley.park@auckland.ac.nz
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/shelley-park

Course Coordinator
Darren Watts
Professional Teaching Fellow
Email: darren.watts@auckland.ac.nz
https://profiles.auckland.ac.nz/darren-watts

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 3: Knowledge and Practice
Capability 4: Critical Thinking
Capability 5: Solution Seeking
Capability 6: Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Differentiate and explain normal and abnormal MR imaging appearances of the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and whole body. (Capability 3 and 5)
  2. Examine the underlying physical principles of a range of techniques to demonstrate an understanding of their application to clinical practice and/or research associated with body imaging. (Capability 4 and 5)
  3. Critically evaluate MR imaging protocols and techniques to investigate a range of pathologies associated with the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and whole body, and make informed clinical judgements with regard to pulse sequence selection. (Capability 3 and 6)
  4. Apply an evidence-based approach to clinical decision-making and problem solving. (Capability 4 and 5)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Clinical Case Analysis 30% Individual Coursework
Presentation 50% Individual Coursework
Test 20% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Clinical Case Analysis
Presentation
Test
This course is 100% internally assessed. An aggregated mark of 50% or more is required to successfully pass this course. Resubmission of failed assessments is not permitted.

Penalties for excessive word count and/or late submission (without prior written approval for an extension) will be applied in accordance with the 'Medical Imaging Assessment Requirements and Presentation Criteria' document.

The course Canvas page has more detailed information on assessment processes and requirements.

Workload Expectations

Following University workload guidelines, a standard 15-point course represents approximately 150 hours of study. This may be broken down as follows:

  • Set readings relevant to MRI theory and clinical practice (40 hours)  
  • Other resources provided on Canvas e.g. videos, websites (10 hours)
  • Assignments and self-directed learning (100 hours)

Delivery Mode

Online

The course may include live online events including tutorials and these will be recorded.

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

The required textbook for this course is:
    Workbook for sectional anatomy for imaging professionals (4th ed.)
    Lorrie Kelley and Connie Petersen
    St. Louis: Elsevier/Mosby c2018
A large selection of other resources will be able to be accessed online via the course website on Canvas and the Philson Library databases.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Postgraduate courses do not have a class representative; instead, they have programme/specialisation representatives who can take feedback to the Medical Imaging Board of Studies. Contact details for these representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.

In the 2024 course evaluation, CLINIMAG 711 students all expressed satisfaction with the overall quality of the course. Students identified the range and different types of resources as being the most helpful aspect of the course for their learning. Assessments that focussed on clinical cases were also considered most beneficial for learning. Additional instructions for the presentation assessment was suggested to make the requirements even more explicit. In response to this feedback the assessment wording will be adjusted.

Other Information

Communication
All official communication to a student will be sent to the student’s current University email address (username@aucklanduni.ac.nz) and the student is responsible for ensuring that any desired forwarding to other addresses is in place and operating correctly. Staff will not be responsible for any consequences if students fail to read and respond to University correspondence in a timely manner.

Students are encouraged to use the course ‘Discussion’ forum on Canvas as much as possible for communication with staff and other students. Email may be used for more private matters. Email communication to University staff and supervisors must be sent from the student’s University email address.

As a general rule, students are advised to log-on at least twice a week. Logging on regularly allows regular checking of 'Announcements' as well as reading and responding to messages from peers on 'Discussions'.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework, tests and examinations as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against electronic source material using computerised detection mechanisms. Upon reasonable request, students may be required to provide an electronic version of their work for computerised review.

The way to avoid plagiarism is to reference your work. Please refer to the following website for further information about academic referencing: www.cite.auckland.ac.nz/

The Student Academic Conduct Statute (2021) provides further advice on how to avoid plagiarism. More information can be found in the ‘Medical Imaging Programme Information’ on Canvas.

The penalties for plagiarism can be severe, including losing some or all of the marks for the assignment. Major offences can be sent to the University’s Discipline Committee, where further penalties can be imposed.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Contact details for the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Student Representatives may be found in the Medical Imaging Postgraduate Programme Information on Canvas.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Fitness to practise (FTP)
As health professional students, in addition to meeting the University of Auckland graduate profile capabilities, students in the Medical Imaging postgraduate programmes are required to demonstrate their fitness to practise. This applies to students at all times, whether they are on campus, on placement or elsewhere.

Fitness to practise (FTP) is concerned primarily with patient and public safety. It also is concerned with upholding professional standards, including the relevant professional code of conduct, and contributing to the maintenance of the reputation of the profession and public confidence in the profession.

For further information visit FMHS Fitness to Practise Policy (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/the-university/how-university-works/policy-and-administration/teaching-and-learning/fmhs-code-of-fitness-to-practise/fmhs-fitness-to-practise-policy.html)

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.