Course Overview
This course provides detailed examination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methodologies, including the fundamentals of magnetic resonance (MR) physics and discussion of pulse sequences. Physics I starts with the basic principles of MRI and atomic physics. A majority of the course will be spent on complex MRI topics such as image weighting and pulse sequences.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
6.5
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Perform calculations involving trigonometry concepts of importance to MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- the SI system of units as related to MRI
- accuracy, precision, and significant digits
- converting units
- angle measurement and conversions
- basic trigonometric functions: cosine and sine
- angular and linear frequency
- graphs of the trigonometric functions of importance in MRI
- Perform calculations involving mathematical functions of importance to MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- exponential functions
- exponentially decaying sinusoids
- sinc function
- complex numbers
- Explain the fundamental physics principles of MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- fundamentals of quantum mechanics
- definition of magnetic moment
- spin states of hydrogen
- fundamentals of electromagnetic waves
- net magnetization vector (NMV)
- calculation of spin excess
- radio-frequency (RF) pulse
- Discuss the major hardware components of an MRI system. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- voltage, current, and resistance
- resistor, capacitor, and inductor
- imager coils and resonance
- electromagnetic induction
- Faraday and Lenz's Law
- static magnetic field coils
- gradient coils
- radio-frequency (RF) coils
- Describe the basics of image weighting and imaging concepts. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- longitudinal and transverse magnetization
- repetition time (TR), echo time (TE), and the free induction decay (FID)
- T1 relaxation and tissue properties
- T2 decay and T2* decay
- T1 and T2 values in the brain
- T1 and T2 values in the body
- non-90 degree flip angle calculations
- Describe the spin echo pulse sequence and its variants as used in MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- conventional spin echo pulse sequence
- dual spin echo, turbo spin echo and variants
- three dimensional (3D) spin echo pulse sequences
- acquisition time calculations
- Describe the gradient echo pulse sequence and its variants as used in MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- basic gradient echo (GRE) pulse sequence
- effects of flip angle, TR and TE on image weighting in GRE
- stimulated and Hahn echoes
- coherent, incoherent, and steady state free precession
- Describe the other common pulse sequences as used in MRI. The following concepts, skills, and issues are used to support this Outcome:
- inversion recovery (IR) pulse sequence
- fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and short tau inversion recovery (STIR) imaging
- echo planar imaging (EPI)
Effective as of Winter 2023
Related Programs
MRI Physics 1 (MIMG 1110) is offered as a part of the following programs:
School of Health Sciences
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Diploma Full-time
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.