Introduction to MR Imaging

The course gives an overview of Magnetic Resonance Imaging with focus on applications. Basic MR-physics, spatial encoding, basic pulse sequences, contrast in MR, MR hardware, MR safety, contrast agents, protocol optimization, overview of some clinical MR applications, including diffusion, perfusion and spectroscopy. Research applications of MRI, including ultra-high field. The course is equivalent with FY8408 at the Department of Physics.

Knowledge:

The candidate...

• Has in-depth knowledge of the fundamental principles of nuclear magnetic resonance and the main components of an MRI system.
• Has in-depth knowledge of contrast agents in MRI, various types, and their applications in medicine and research.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the health risks associated with the use of MRI, including contrast agents.
• Has knowledge of various fields in research, medicine, and industry where MRI methods are applied.

Skills:

The candidate...

• Can perform practical tasks on a preclinical or clinical MRI scanner.
• Can present and describe MRI theory both in writing and orally.
• Can apply knowledge of MRI theory to solve practical problems related to their own research.

General competence:

The candidate...

• Can describe the principles of spatial encoding in MRI.
• Can explain the basic components of a spin-echo and gradient-echo sequence.
• Can describe diffusion-weighted MRI, perfusion-weighted MRI, angiography, and functional MRI and their uses.
• Can discuss factors affecting image quality, including recognizing common artifacts and their origins.

Lectures throughout the whole semester, demonstrations, 2 practical assignments (compulsory) and 2 oral presentations (compulsory). Lectures will be held at St. Olav's Hospital/MH campus Øya. Language of instruction will be English if international students participate, but the students can decide whether they will speak english or norwegian at the oral exam. Because of limited resources available for the lab assignments, an enrollment cap may be set. The course will not be held if the total number of attending students is below 5 participants. If possible, all lectures will be broadcasted online or made available in digital format.