12178 (v.2) Medical Physics 233

Area:

Department of Applied Physics

Credits:

12.5

Contact Hours:

3.0

Lecture:

2 x 1 Hours Weekly

Laboratory:

1 x 1 Hours Weekly

Prerequisite(s):

12176 (v.2) Medical Physics 132 or any previous version

Syllabus:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging - background concepts, nuclear magnetism, energy state transitions, development of MRI, free induction decay, measurement of relaxation, pulse sequences, fourier transforms, instrumentation, imaging techniques, interpretation, hazards. Radiobiology and Protection - review of cell biology, basic biologic interactions in radiation, radiosensitivity, cellular response to radiation, systemic radiation response, total body radiation response, late effects of radiation, clinical radiobiology, legislation, radiation protection.

Unit Outcomes:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to describe the phenomenon of precession, explain the conditions necessary to cause precession and explain how these occur in MRI, explain the role of quantum numbers, define the magnetisation vector, explain how it arises and how it can generate an MRI signal, describe the pulse sequences used in MRI imaging and explain how these can be used to recover relaxation times, describe the possible hazards involved in the MRI technique, be able to discuss the basic principles of radiobiology (the law of Bergonie and Tribondeau, the effect of radiation on cells, organ response, early and late response and the effects of radiation on the foetus) and describe the responsibilities of medical imaging personnel as required by the State radiation safety legislation.

Text and references listed above are for your information only and current as of September 30, 2003. Please check with the unit coordinator for up-to-date information.

Unit References:

No prescribed references.

Unit Texts:

Bushberg, J. T. et al, 1994, 'The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging', Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore.

Unit Assessment Breakdown:

Assignments 20%. Test 20%. Final Examination 60%.

Year	Location	Period	Internal	Area External	Central External
2004	Bentley Campus	Semester 1	Y