Course content

The course provides a broad theoretical foundation for MR imaging, with these main topics:

1. MR physics with contrast mechanisms (T1, T2, T2*, contrast agents)
2. MRI hardware
3. MR safety
4. Image formation
5. MR pulse sequences
6. Parallel imaging
7. Diffusion-weighted MRI
8. Artifacts

Learning outcome

Candidates that completed the course should have achieved:

Knowledge

The student:

• Can describe the hardware of an MRI scanner
• Understands and can describe the basic physics of MRI
• Can explain the principle for contrast in MR images
• Can explain theoretical safety issues of an MRI examination
• Understands and can describe different pulse sequences
• Understands the mechanisms for image formation in MRI

Skills

The student:

• can assure the safety for patients in different MRI exams
• can describe and apply different pulse sequences
• can perform MR imaging according to knowledge based practice
• can assess the technical MR image quality
• can search for relevant literature and write assignments according to scientific guidelines

General competence

The student:

• can apply MRI theory for practical MR imaging purposes
• can reflect and communicate on professional topics within the course content

Learning methods and activities

The course is in large web-based, and learning activities are largely in digital forms. We have on-campus training at NTNU in Trondheim early in the semester, with a mix of lectures, group work and seminars. This will last for 3-4 days. Teaching and learning throughout the semester happens through digital platforms. Teaching is structured by topics and with several learning activities, like lectures, practical exercises in the lab, and seminars.

Students must deliver and receive approval on 6 compulsory assignments.

Course material will be available through the e-learning platform.

Compulsory assignments

• Oblig

Further on evaluation

Written exam, 5 hours. Grading is done using the letter grading system. Grades A to E is given to exam answers evaluated to pass, whereas the letter F is given if exam is not passed.

Students must submit six mandatory work requirements. The work requirements will be student-active and include theoretical and practical elements. The practical elements will include MR image data; either images acquired by students at their own workplace, or customized data sets. The assignments can also be linked to ongoing research projects at the department. Assignments come with instructions for practical performance. The assignments will facilitate combined theoretical and practical work within the topics. The assignments must follow described frameworks for content, structure and scope..

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Basic knowledge about physiology and anatomy of the human body

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

McRobbie et al. From picture to proton.

Scientific papers and selected web-pages

Credit reductions