Fundamentals of Medical Imaging with Hands-on MRI

The course will cover the fundamental principles of medical imaging, including the basics of the 4 major medical imaging methods: Ultrasound, X-Ray CT, PET, and MRI. The focus will be on MRI and how it is used to capture both the anatomy and function of the human brain. The course will also provide hands-on experience with acquiring brain images using a 3T MRI scanner. Students may learn how to process and characterize MRI images from healthy volunteers. Functional MRI (fMRI) data will be used to learn the basics of statistical analysis used in neuroscience research.

Students will have the opportunity to interact with the MRI team and also with clinicians and neuroscientists who use the campus MRI for research.

Target group

Our modules are designed so that anyone with no prior experience in the area of study can participate and expand their academic horizons.

The course is a level 5 course, thus the level of difficulty is the equivalent of a year 2 module

Course aim

1. Describe the fundamental physical principals that result in the image intensity variations seen in X-Ray, Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT)

2. Acquire anatomical images of the brain using a 3T MRI scanner and describe how mathematical concepts such as spatial resolution, signal to noise ratio (SNR), point spread function (PSF), are used to interpret the images.

3. Understand the role of social, cultural, political, economic, and other elements as determinants of health.

4. Design a simple functional MRI paradigm (fMRI) and acquire fMRI images on a 3T scanner. Describe how spatial and temporal resolution interact in fMRI acquisitions.

5. Apply mathematical tools, such as Fourier transform, and available software to analyse the fMRI images acquired on a 3T scanner.

Credits info

15 EC
All our modules have been formally approved for 15 Sussex credits; equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3-4 US credits. This means that your study at Sussex over the summer can count towards your degree.

Sussex modules are accepted for transfer credit towards degrees at most colleges and universities. But policies and degree requirements vary, so you should obtain approval for transfer of module credit before you apply.

Please consult with your study abroad advisor before choosing your modules to ensure you are able to transfer any credit you need.

Fee info

GBP 2: The full cost of one 3-week Undergraduate Summer School session will be £2,760. If you wish to study for both sessions then you can do so.

This is made up of:

Tuition fees of £1,820 per session include:

- All teaching and assessment for one module of study. Where field trips or course excursions are required then the cost of this is included in the tuition fee, however travel costs may be required
- A minimum of 150 study hours, with a minimum of 40 hours class/teaching contact hours
- Modules formally approved for 15 Sussex credits, equivalent to 7.5 ECTS or 3 – 4 US credits
- A transcript of studies upon successful completion of the module (including meeting all attendance and assessment requirements).


The accommodation and campus programme fee of £940 per session include:

- Your own bedroom in on-campus East Slope student village. These are a mixture of en-suite flats and standard flats with shared facilities
- Bedding pack of duvet and duvet cover, sheet, towel, pillow and pillowcase
- Programme of free campus social events and activities throughout each session. Excursions and social programme trips will be provided on Fridays and weekends.

Scholarships

If you are applying from one of our partner institutions, you will be entitled to a reduction in tuition fees. Please contact your study abroad office or summer@sussex.ac.uk for more information.