MEDSCI 741 : Medical Imaging Technology

Medical and Health Sciences

2022 Semester Two (1225) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Study of the physical processes underlying current clinical imaging techniques. Topics include: physical principles of image acquisition, processing and display; artefacts, image acquisition methods and parameters and their impact upon patient safety and image quality; management of radiation exposure; principles of X-Ray, fluoroscopic, mammographic, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, ultrasound imaging; MRI safety; dose estimation and quality assurance. Emphasis is placed on patient and practitioner care, image quality and artefacts in relation to image interpretation.

Course Overview

To attain a high level of understanding of medical imaging technology and underlying physical principles, as they pertain to current medical imaging techniques. To equip candidates with a detailed knowledge of imaging procedures relevant to common diagnostic radiological and interventional procedures.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Course Contacts

Course Director
Dr Beau Pontré
Email: b.pontre@auckland.ac.nz

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Explain all aspects of x-ray image formation, including resolution, filtration, attenuation, production and detection. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 6.2)
  2. Describe mammographic image formation and analysis, including digital methods, mean glandular dose, stereotactic imaging and tomosynthesis. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 6.2)
  3. Discuss principles and critique applications of all imaging modalities including computed tomography, MRI, and ultrasound. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 6.2)
  4. Explain the applications of gamma and SPECT cameras, PET, production of isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals. (Capability 1.1, 1.2 and 6.2)
  5. Critically analyse current literature on imaging methods. (Capability 2.1 and 2.2)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
PeerWise 30% Individual Coursework
Critical Review 20% Individual Coursework
Final Test 50% Individual Test
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5
PeerWise
Critical Review
Final Test

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 15 hours of tutorials, 100 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 30 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled classes.
All classes will be available as recordings
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled online classes.
Attendance on campus is not required for the test.
Where possible, study material will be released progressively throughout the course.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly 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 primary textbook for this course is:
Bushberg JT, Siebert JA, Leidholdt EM & Boone JM. The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 4th Edition (2021).

This book and other resources will be available 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.

in recent years, the assessments in the course have been adapted to better address the needs of the students. In particular, the PeerWise assessment was introduced to give students more opportunities to engage with exam-like multiple choice questions to prepare for the final test and for the RANZCR Part 1 AIT examination. It also provides an opportunity for online collaboration among the class now that the course is delivered in a hybrid on-campus/online mode.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework 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. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

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.

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 course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

The delivery mode may change depending on COVID restrictions. Any changes will be communicated through Canvas.

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.

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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.