Medical Imaging: Science and Application

MEDS 3090 | 3 credit hours

Fall Semester Syllabus

Kevin Haworth, PhD | kevin.haworth@uc.edu

A single-semester course designed for undergraduate students interested in the creation and use of medical images. The course will cover the major medical imaging modalities: magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, nuclear medicine imaging, radiography (x-ray and computed tomography), and optical (endoscopy and microscopy). For each imaging modality, students will learn about the fundamental physics associated with the radiation used in imaging, how the radiation interacts with tissue, the hardware associated with acquiring image data, and the software and algorithms used to produce images. For each modality, students will also hear from clinicians on how the use the modality in their practice. This information will be integrated together to develop an understanding of what tissue properties are imaged by each modality and how the associated capabilities and limitations influence when an imaging modality is used for diagnosing or monitoring specific diseases. The course uses a flipped classroom style that encourages discussion and group problem solving. Calculus is a pre-requisite, but a review of important mathematical principles used to understand each imaging modality is also provided within the class. This course received the 2024 Golden Apple award from Medical Sciences students.