BE 465—MR Imaging Systems and Hardware

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as a non-invasive diagnostic modality, has become an important and powerful tool for biomedical research and clinical diagnosis. Knowledge of MR system and basic principle and design of MR hardware is essential to use this tool and help to develop more efficient MR methods and exploit its new functions. This lecture-based course offers an introduction to the MR principles, fundamental aspects of MRI system and related hardware covering magnets, gradient coils, shimming coils and RF coils with an emphasis on signal excitation and reception techniques and associated RF transceiver hardware, and also some basics of image formation principle. Each topic will include lectures and review of relevant literatures. As an essential part of this course, hands-on training projects will be designed for students to practice the techniques described. In evaluation, students will be asked to give an oral presentation, write a report based on the chosen hands-on training topic, search/review literatures, and attend lectures. This course is dual-listed with BE 565LEC MR Systems and Hardware.