Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Most medical imaging modalities now produce images in digital form. These digital images frequently undergo processing such as enhancement, registration, fusion and 3D reconstruction. Digital image processing and 3D image visualisation techniques are also extensively used in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy planning. Consequently, computing, numerical methods and digital image processing are necessary skills of a practising medical physicist.

Aims

This unit is designed to make the student familiar with image visualisation methods and imaging in nuclear medicine, and to develop skills in digital image processing.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should:

1. Be familiar with the physical parameters used to measure image quality.
2. Be familiar with digital image processing techniques.
3. Be able to describe the physical principles of image formation in nuclear medicine imaging.
4. Be able to write computer programs to process digital images and evaluate image quality, and to apply these programs to medical imaging, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy planning.

Content

Display, perception and interpretation of medical images. The human visual process.

Image quality: contrast, spatial resolution and noise. The noise power spectrum. Contrast-detail-diagrams and modulation transfer functions.

Digital image processing: The SciLab Platform. Single pixel operations. Spatial domain filtering. Frequency domain filtering. Image fusion and registration. 3D display techniques.

Nuclear medicine: Radiopharmaceutical production. The cyclotron. The gamma camera, SPECT and PET.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit combines lectures and laboratory exercises. Extensive use is made of computer laboratories to give you practical experience in digital image processing. Visits to local hospitals may also be included so that you will be able to see these techniques in use in the clinical environment.

Assessment

You must achieve a satisfactory result in both items of assessment in order to be awarded a passing grade for this unit. To have a mark for an assessable item reviewed, your first approach should be to the relevant teaching staff member, then to the unit coordinator or course coordinator.Feedback will be provided throughout the semester.

Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
Description: Digital image processing programming exercises.
Dates due: Approximately 2 to 3 week intervals throughout the semester.
Relates to objectives: All (especially 4)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Ongoing

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Examination (Theory, Nuclear Medicine). Written theory examination.
Relates to objectives: 3
Weight: 45%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: Examination (Theory, Digital Image Processing). Written theory examination.
Relates to objectives: 1-2
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End Semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

References:

1. Gonzalez RC & Wintz RC (1992) Digital Image Processing, Addison Wesley
2. Webb S (1988) The Physics of Medical Imaging, London: IOP Publishing
3. Bushberg JT, Seibert JA, Leidholdt EM & Boone JM (1994) The Essential Physics of Medical Imaging, Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 21-Jun-2012