Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is aimed at providing students with:
- the fundamental elements of electromagnetic phenomena, nuclear physics, radioactivity and their interaction with matter;
- a general understanding of the biological effects of radiations;
- a general understanding of the working principles of the main diagnostic imaging techniques.
- the fundamental elements of electromagnetic phenomena, nuclear physics, radioactivity and their interaction with matter;
- a general understanding of the biological effects of radiations;
- a general understanding of the working principles of the main diagnostic imaging techniques.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students are expected to:
- know the main physical principles regarding electromagnetic waves, electric current, light propagation, interaction of light with matter;
- understand the principles at the basis of light perception;
- know the fundamental principles of nuclear physics and radioactivity;
- understand the interaction of electromagnetic waves and ionizing radiations with the human body;
- be able to describe the working principles underlying the main diagnostic imaging techniques.
- know the main physical principles regarding electromagnetic waves, electric current, light propagation, interaction of light with matter;
- understand the principles at the basis of light perception;
- know the fundamental principles of nuclear physics and radioactivity;
- understand the interaction of electromagnetic waves and ionizing radiations with the human body;
- be able to describe the working principles underlying the main diagnostic imaging techniques.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Prerequisites for admission
Students are expected to be able to quantitatively describe simple physical models, in particular the propagation of mechanical and sound waves.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final grade, expressed as a grade out of 30, is the average of a grade for Medical physics and a grade for Radiology and radiotherapy, weighted for the number of credits of each module. The exam is deemed to be passed successfully if the final grade is equal to or higher than 18/30. In the event of a full grade (30/30) honors (lode) may be granted.
A joint, written test will include multiple choice questions, exercises and/or open questions. The test will give a score of up to 28/30 points.
For Medical physics, the grade will be combined with the outcome of 4 graded assignments and activities, associated to asynchronous lectures and with a temporal deadline. The score for these activities will range between 0/30 and 2/30 points.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Registration on SIFA is mandatory
A joint, written test will include multiple choice questions, exercises and/or open questions. The test will give a score of up to 28/30 points.
For Medical physics, the grade will be combined with the outcome of 4 graded assignments and activities, associated to asynchronous lectures and with a temporal deadline. The score for these activities will range between 0/30 and 2/30 points.
Attendance is required to be allowed to take the exam. Unexcused absence is tolerated up to 34% of the course activities. University policy regarding excused illness is followed.
Registration on SIFA is mandatory
Medical Physics
Course syllabus
Medical physics:
The lectures of Medical physics will cover the following topics:
- Electrical phenomena: electric charge, field, potential; conducting and dielectric materials; condenser; electric current and resistance; power dissipated by a resistance; impedance and RC circuits; electrophoresis; membrane potential and action potential;
- Magnetic phenomena: magnetic field; wires and solenoids; magnetic induction; RLC circuits; voltmeter; electroencephalography;
- Propagation of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and in a medium; absorption, fluorescence, scattering; pulse oximeter; flow cytometry;
- Optics: geometrical optics, reflection, refraction; diffraction; image formation and magnification; lenses; accommodation and common vision disorders; optical aberrations;
- Optical microscopy; diffraction and resolution; laser Doppler imaging;
- Radioactivity: binding energy and nuclear stability; different types of radiation; decay rate and half-life for radioactive dating;
- Interactions of radiation with matter; basics of dosimetry and biological effects of radiation;
- Nuclear magnetic momentum; nuclear magnetic resonance; relaxation; magnetic resonance imaging: contrast and spatial encoding.
The lectures of Medical physics will cover the following topics:
- Electrical phenomena: electric charge, field, potential; conducting and dielectric materials; condenser; electric current and resistance; power dissipated by a resistance; impedance and RC circuits; electrophoresis; membrane potential and action potential;
- Magnetic phenomena: magnetic field; wires and solenoids; magnetic induction; RLC circuits; voltmeter; electroencephalography;
- Propagation of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and in a medium; absorption, fluorescence, scattering; pulse oximeter; flow cytometry;
- Optics: geometrical optics, reflection, refraction; diffraction; image formation and magnification; lenses; accommodation and common vision disorders; optical aberrations;
- Optical microscopy; diffraction and resolution; laser Doppler imaging;
- Radioactivity: binding energy and nuclear stability; different types of radiation; decay rate and half-life for radioactive dating;
- Interactions of radiation with matter; basics of dosimetry and biological effects of radiation;
- Nuclear magnetic momentum; nuclear magnetic resonance; relaxation; magnetic resonance imaging: contrast and spatial encoding.
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: lectures, discussions, exercises.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video based (pre-recorded, multimedia platforms); text-based (documents and assignments through Connect/Moodle platforms).
Asynchronous learning: audio-video based (pre-recorded, multimedia platforms); text-based (documents and assignments through Connect/Moodle platforms).
Teaching Resources
Medical Physics:
- Openstax College Physics: https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics ;
- A. Giambattista, College Physics, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education;
- Supplemental learning material will be made available during the course.
- Openstax College Physics: https://openstax.org/details/books/college-physics ;
- A. Giambattista, College Physics, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill Education;
- Supplemental learning material will be made available during the course.
Radiology and radiotherapy
Course syllabus
Radiology and radiotherapy
The lectures of Radiology and radiotherapy will cover the following topics:
- The X-ray tube;
- Interactions between X radiation and matter;
- Digital radiology;
- Ultrasound;
- Computerized tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- The use of contrast agents;
- Elements of radiobiology.
The lectures of Radiology and radiotherapy will cover the following topics:
- The X-ray tube;
- Interactions between X radiation and matter;
- Digital radiology;
- Ultrasound;
- Computerized tomography;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- The use of contrast agents;
- Elements of radiobiology.
Teaching methods
Synchronous learning: lectures, discussions, exercises.
Asynchronous learning: audio-video based (pre-recorded, multimedia platforms); text-based (documents and assignments through Connect/Moodle platforms).
Asynchronous learning: audio-video based (pre-recorded, multimedia platforms); text-based (documents and assignments through Connect/Moodle platforms).
Teaching Resources
Radiology and radiotherapy:
- F. A. Mettler, Essentials of Radiology, 4th Edition, Elsevier
- F. A. Mettler, Essentials of Radiology, 4th Edition, Elsevier
Medical Physics
FIS/07 - APPLIED PHYSICS - University credits: 2
Lessons: 16 hours
: 8 hours
: 8 hours
Professor:
Zanchetta Giuliano
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Zanchetta Giuliano
Radiology and radiotherapy
MED/36 - IMAGING AND RADIOTHERAPY - University credits: 1
Lessons: 8 hours
: 4 hours
: 4 hours
Professors:
Messina Carmelo, Vanzulli Angelo
Shifts:
Professor(s)