This unit of study will investigate new methods or technologies applied to medical imaging to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The content will be guided by current literature and the research of MRS staff. The materials covered provide insights into novel methods in medical imaging that are not available in other units. This unit of study will seek to generate a discussion on the applicability of these new methods and technologies to clinical practice.

This unit of study will investigate issues pertaining to the interaction of the human reader with a medical image. It will start with an examination of the human visual system, including its characteristics and limitations. This will be followed by in-depth studies of the perceptual and cognitive factors that affect the reading of medical images, which include, but are not limited to, reader experience, task instructions and satisfaction of search (as well as other heuristics and biases). The overall aim of this unit is to ensure students obtain an understanding of the intricacies of image interpretation, and to highlight the components of the process that are technology-independent.

This UoS will investigate issues pertaining to the optimisation of medical imaging, aiming to ensure that imaging is best suited to answer the diagnostic questions posed. It will include discussion of the choice of imaging modalities, 2D and 3D radiographic imaging systems, as well as optimisation of display processing technologies and of display systems. In addition, issues pertaining to the relationship between dose and image quality will also be discussed. The aim of this UoS is to provide students with a clear understanding of how optimisation can affect diagnostic outcomes.

The aim of the unit of study is for students to develop research skills for creating evidence for best practice within the discipline of Medical Imaging Science. The capstone is also an opportunity to apply the learning from core and elective UoS within the Master of Medical Imaging Science (MIS) to develop new knowledge or propose ways to improve clinical practice. The selected area of investigation will be related to medical image optimisation and/or perception and the area of specialisation studied during the MIS course. The topic should arouse intellectual curiosity and be achievable within the timeframe of one semester. Developed research skills will include demonstrating the capacity to identify a question based on published evidence and propose a research methodology to investigate the problem. Students will work indepentently to develop a literature review and research proposal with ethics for a qualitative or quantitative investigation. If the capstone is completed as part of a MIS research specialisation then the output will be a manuscript suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal based on experimental work performed as part of previous MIS electives.

This unit addresses the principles of magnetic resonance imaging including the theory and measurement of magnetic resonance phenomena. Basic principles of MRI are covered including free induction decay, relaxation processes, signal averaging, formation of spin echoes and gradient echoes, imaging in two dimensions, and manipulation of image contrast.

Detailed anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and vascular systems of the thorax is presented in this unit. The advantage of specific planes with respect to the demonstration of specific pathologies will be discussed. While this unit is targeted at professionals working with CT and/or MRI, it could also be directly relevant to professionals working with SPECT and those using CT and MR images in radiation therapy planning. A basic knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy is assumed. The unit will be presented in distance education format with no requirement for attendance on-campus.

This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify pathology of the appendicular skeleton. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency above the "red dot" system.

This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify pathology of the axial skeleton and abdomen. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency above the "red dot" system.

This unit will provide an integration of mammography theory and practice and includes the context of breast cancer and breast screening; the fundamentals of mammography, both digital and film/screen; radiation physics; positioning techniques and radiographer and client interaction. An overview of emerging technologies in breast cancer detection is also provided.

This unit of study will provide a theoretical understanding of the science of computed tomography (CT) beginning with historical perspectives. This will be followed by basic physics of radiation attenuation, and data acquisition, image reconstruction methods and image display and recording. This will also include an overview of relevant post processing operations. Quality Assurance (QA) of CT scanners will be explored. Finally, CT radiation dose considerations, such as the measurement of Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI), the Dose Length Product (DLP) and the Effective Dose (ED), and the factors affecting dose will be reviewed.

This unit of study will investigate the equipment, tomographic reconstruction, image display and analysis used in current clinical molecular and computed tomography (CT) morphological hybrid systems, e.g., SPECT/CT and PET/CT. Techniques used to improve image quality, quantification of radiopharmaceutical biodistribution and the reduction of radiation dose to the patient will also be included. Best practice utilisation for typical clinical presentations will be explored. Students will be introduced to imaging procedures and protocols for a range of equipment and radiopharmaceuticals. Future trends in the application of hybrid medical imaging will be investigated through a review of the current literature.

This unit of study examines the clinical application of Computed Tomography. It covers routine examinations of the head, body, spine and extremities. The adaptation of protocols for paediatric patients is also explored, as well as the principles and clinical applications of CT angiography. Patient preparation, and oral and IV contrast safety and administration will be examined and related to current best practice

This unit of study will explore the application of standard magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences, protocols and techniques used in clinical musculoskeletal imaging. These techniques include variations of spin echo, gradient echo and inversion recovery. MRI hardware, RF coils and spatial image encoding, fat suppression techniques and common image artifacts will be reviewed. MR safety aspects from the perspective of both staff and patients will be discussed. Learning will be supported by clinical case examples to demonstrate the appropriate application of different MR sequences and modifications required for different patient presentations.

This UoS will review the application of both standard magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography sequences, protocols and techniques used in CNS imaging for a range of clinical applications, e.g., stroke, tumour, epilepsy, inflammation, and neurodegenerative conditions. The application of more advanced techniques used in CNS imaging, including perfusion, diffusion, fMRI and proton spectroscopy, will also be explored with particular reference to the different image acquisition techniques. Learning will be supported by clinical case examples which demonstrate the appropriate application of different MR sequences and modifications required for different patient presentations.

Detailed anatomy of the brain is presented in this unit. The regions studied are the brain stem, cranial nerves and nuclei, cerebellum, diencephalon, cerebral hemisphere and cortex, basal ganglia, limbic system, ventricular system and the blood supply. The practical component involves interpretation of soft copy MR images. The advantage of specific planes with respect to the demonstration of specific pathologies will be discussed. This unit is targeted at professionals primarily working with MRI but NM or RT professionals if they are intensively utilizing CT as an anatomic imaging tool would benefit from this unit. A good knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy is essential for this unit . The delivery will be in distance education mode and will utilise a range of media, including printed material.

This unit will provide the student with image interpretation skills and knowledge of the radiological and clinical indicators which are utilised to identify the more common pathology of the respiratory system. The unit aims at enabling the practitioner to achieve a level of competency above the "red dot" system.

This unit of study looks at advanced CT concepts and imaging procedures. This includes applications that provide functional information or require more complex post processing. Cardiac angiography, virtual endoscopy, brain perfusion, portable and interventional CT will be explored. It also examines the latest CT methodologies, including volume imaging, dual source and muliti-energy CT, and the use of CT in other modalities such as molecular imaging and therapy planning. The physical principles, clinical application and appropriate utilisation of these CT procedures will be explored.

The unit allows the student, in collaboration with the University supervisor and the student`s employer, to tailor the content and mode of presentation to suit the needs of the student and the workplace. For example, new technology or procedures may be introduced into the workplace, necessitating changes in the knowledge, skills and attributes of the student. The student must initially present a proposal to the PG coursework coordinator. Upon preliminary approval, a supervisor will be appointed and a firm contract will be negotiated and agreed upon by all parties before semester commencing to achieve the desired educational outcomes. The unit of study may comprise, for instance, a literature review covering the development and applications of a new technology, it may comprise a personal reading and study program, it may involve specific workplace experience and analysis or it may comprise a combination of these elements. It may not be possible for all students to enrol in this subject, as it depends strongly upon the provision of suitable resources and experiences in the workplace, plus cooperation and commitment from the student`s employer.

This unit focuses on qualitative research methodologies, including the disciplinary traditions that contribute to qualitative methodologies and the construction of knowledge using qualitative methods. The implications of methodology for research design will be examined, as will approaches to data collection and analysis. Activities to build skills in research design, data collection and data analysis will be included. Students will work on a research project of their choice throughout the semester.

This unit provides an overview of the research process and focuses on the formulation of a proposal for a small research project. It provides students with an opportunity to learn about (or update their knowledge of) research methods at the introductory level and acts as an introduction to the research electives which concentrate on a particular methodology or aspect of the research process. Students explore quantitative and qualitative approaches to research with their own specific research question in mind. Basic research designs are considered (including interview, observation, longitudinal and cross-sectional designs, experiment, single case study, survey) together with their suitability for investigating different types of research questions. Students also learn about ethics in research, sampling, validity and reliability of measures and descriptive statistics.

This unit introduces students to basic statistical principles relevant to the manipulation and analysis of clinical data. Students will be exposed to concepts of sampling, distributions of scores, summaries of data, and treatment of categorical and quantitative data. This last topic will include chi square analysis, calculation of confidence intervals, tests for differences in the locations of samples (including t-tests and tests for non-normally distributed data), correlation and regression, sample size estimation and an introduction to survival analysis. It is expected that at the conclusion of the unit students will be able to: appraise published statistical analyses; perform simple statistical tests by hand and with the assistance of a computer package SAS or SPSS; and present statistical data.