Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Fundamentals (MRES7100)

Course overview

This unit of study explores the principles and methods that underpin Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), a key molecular imaging technique. Topics covered include Physical principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (MR), underlying mechanisms of relaxation in MR and descriptions of the way in which pulse sequences are able to exploit relaxation to produce contrast.

On completion of this unit, students will have a thorough understanding of the MRI methodology, and the molecular basis for endogenous contrast. The use of contrast agents to modify image contrast and target particular molecular features will be introduced. The factors affecting the accuracy and potential sources of artefact in MRI images will be explored.

This foundation course is compulsory within the post-graduate Master of Magnetic ResonanceﾠTechnology and Master of Molecular Imaging programs.ﾠ It will provide the background knowledge that is essential to understand the material presented in later courses.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Required:

Trigonometry: Sin(x), Cos(x), Tan(x).
Trigonometry:ﾠPythagoras theorem (a2+b2=c2).
BasicﾠCalculus: Solvingﾠlinear equations (y = a+bx).

Prefered:ﾠ(will be revisited during the course)

Basic Calculus: Solving exponential equationsﾠ(e-x= y).
Basic Calculus: Complex numbers.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

MRES7001

Restrictions

Enrolment restricted to Master of Magnetic Resonance program suite, Master of Biotechnology or Master of Molecular Imaging students.

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

• Another instance of the same course

MRES7100 Internal

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

Tutorials are held at ﾠCentre for Advanced Imaging, Building 57, Level 5 Meeting Room.

Internal tutorial structure

Tuesday and Thursday, 10-11am (Brisbane time).

External tutorial structure

Tutorial recordings posted on Blackboard ﾠ ﾠ ﾠ

Aims and outcomes

On completion of this unit, students will have a thorough understanding of the MRI methodology, and the molecular basis for endogenous contrast.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Assessment series 1 (Quizzes)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

40%

Due date

Quiz Module 1 24/02/2025 - 4/03/2025

Quiz Module 2 24/02/2025 - 11/03/2025

Quiz Module 3 3/03/2025 - 18/03/2025

Quiz Module 4 10/03/2025 - 25/03/2025

Quiz Module 5 17/03/2025 - 1/04/2025

Quiz Module 6 24/03/2025 - 15/04/2025

Quiz Module 7 7/04/2025 - 29/04/2025

Quiz Module 8 14/04/2025 - 6/05/2025

Quiz Module 9 28/04/2025 - 20/05/2025

Quiz Module 10 12/05/2025 - 27/05/2025

Submission due Tuesdays (Weeks 2-13) at 1 pm (Brisbane time) at Blackboard

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

Blackboard Quizzes at Learn.UQ.

Each quiz is worth 4 marks. There are 10 quizzes with a total 40 mark, or 40% of the overall marks.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Quizzes are open two weeks in advance prior to the due dates.

Extension/deferral is not possible as the quizzes' due are only 2 days prior to the answers need to be marked and reviewed in the classroom.

However, successful applications for an extension in extenuating circumstances may be offered an alternative assessment. If there are extenuating circumstances why you were unable to complete your quiz then please email smp.student@uq.edu.au. You will need to do this within 5 calendar days of your quiz and include evidence (e.g., medical certificate).

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension/deferral information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

The length of each quiz is 20 minutes, and they must be completed in a single sitting.

Students must attempt the quiz no later than 12:30 pm on the due date to ensure a timely completion.

The quizzes are open two weeks in advance and can not be accessed once closed. A 100% penalty will be applied if the quiz is not attempted within that period. 

Assessment series 2 (Essays)

• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

30%

Due date

1 pm 24/02/2025 - 4/04/2025

1 pm 24/03/2025 - 22/05/2025

Assignments 2A and 2B are to be submitted via Turnitin at the dates above, respectively

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Submission guidelines

These assignments are to be submitted through Turnitin. Students are permitted to submit a draft before their final submission.

Assignment 2A (15%), is open from Week 1 and due on Week 7 Thursday @1 pm.

Assignment 2B (15%), is open from Week 5 and due on Week 12 Thursday @1 pm.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Extension/deferral will only be possible up to 24 h prior to the Assessment being reviewed in the tutorial.

Assignment 2A is due in Week 7, and the answers will be reviewed in the tutorial of Week 8.

Assignment 2B is due in Week 12, and the answers will be reviewed in the tutorial in Week 13.

Once the answers are released/reviewed in the tutorials, extension/deferral will not be possible, in which a mark of zero will be recorded.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension/deferral information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Final Exam

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

30%

Due date

Exam week 1 - Exam week 2

Date will be scheduled by UQ Central Examination

Other conditions

Time limited.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension/deferral information relating to this assessment item.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

In order to pass this course, students must receive at least 20% of the available marks for the final examination and achieve a pass grade (4) or better overall. 

ﾠ

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment in this course will be in a format of an assignment determined by the Course Coordinator. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

Assessment tasks in this course evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum date applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The Blackboard website is essential to the course. The course syllabus and other relevant reading material are only available through Blackboard. In addition, Blackboard provides the schedules, lecture/tutor recordings, access to assessment, discussion boards, and supplementary web addresses.

http://learn.uq.edu.au

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.