PHYSICS 7549 - Physics of Medical Imaging
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 7549 Course Physics of Medical Imaging Coordinating Unit Physics Term Semester 2 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 2 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assumed Knowledge PHYSICS 7011 Biennial Course Course offered in odd years Assessment Workshop preparation, assignment, exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Mr Jake Forster
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- Describe the physics principles underlying the operation of medical imaging equipment;
- Demonstrate an understanding of and apply mathematical methods of image construction and processing;
- Demonstrate an understanding of aspects of clinical applications of imaging methods;
- Discuss radiation safety issues in the operation of medical imaging equipments.
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-4 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
2-4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
1-4 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
3,4 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
- Bushberg, J. T., The essential physics of medical imaging, 2nd edition 2002, Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
- Cherry, S. R., Sorensen, J. A. and Phelps, M. E., Physics in nuclear medicine, 3rd edition 2003, Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Online Learning
Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is delivered by the following means:
- Workshops 12 x 2-hour sessions with one session per week
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
The course content will include the following:- Introduction to Medical Imaging
- Measurement of Image Quality
- Imaging and the frequency domain
- Tomographic Reconstruction from Projections
- Basic Principles of X-ray Imaging
- Fluoroscopy
- Basic Principles of X-ray Tomography
- Mammography
- Basic X-ray QC and Dosimetry
- Basics of Nuclear Medicine Imaging
- Clinical Applications of Nuclear Medicine
- Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals
- SPECT and SPECT-CT
- Positron Emission Tomography
- Non-imaging procedures and QC tests for Nuclear Medicine
- Internal radionuclide dosimetry and radionuclide therapy
- Ultrasound Imaging - Basic principles and physics
- Ultrasound Imaging
- Ultrasound – Artifacts, Safety and Quality Control
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Basic principles and physics
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Pulse Sequences
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Image formation and imaging equipment
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging – Image quality, safety and special techniques
- Advanced Image Processing Techniques
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task
Type of assessment
Percentage of total assessment
Hurdle?
Objectives being assessed/achieved
Workshop preparation Formative and Summative 10% No 1-4 Assignments Formative and Summative 40% No 1-4 Examination Formative and Summative 50% No 1-4 Assessment Detail
Workshop Preparation
Workshops will be used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material. Answer to preparatory questions will be assessed.
Assignments
Summative assignments will be used during the semester to address understanding of and ability to use the course material and to provide students a benchmark for the progress in the course.
Examination
A 3 hour examination will be used to assess knowledge and understanding of and ability to use the course material.
Submission
Submission of Assigned Work
Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.
Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time.
Late Submission of Assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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