Biomedical imaging is a field at the cross-roads of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and engineering. As such, standard programs of study within those traditional disciplines do not cover all of the material at the appropriate level that is required by a student pursuing a Ph.D. in imaging science. To address this need the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, in conjunction with the Department of Biomedical Engineering, has implemented an Imaging Science Track within BME. The courses are divided into two categories: core courses, and electives and advanced coursework. Candidates for the Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering with an emphasis in Imaging Science must complete the 12 hours of “core” courses listed below. In addition, the candidate must take additional courses listed as Electives and Advanced Coursework; Ph.D. candidates - 2 courses, M.S. candidates - 1 course. The core courses are offered every year, while the electives are offered every other year; at least four of the following courses are offered every semester. The courses are designed to provide theoretical and experimental teaching to cover the full range of subjects relevant to imaging.
Funding is available for both US and non-US residents and prospective students are encouraged to contact Faculty members working in fields of potential interest. For list of faculty research interests click here.
For more information, please contact
gradstudies@vuiis.vanderbilt.edu.
To apply to graduate studies at Vanderbilt University, follow this link https://graduateapplications.vanderbilt.edu/
Core Courses
Foundations of Medical Imaging. This course is designed to provide the technical foundations of how images are formed. It covers the physics of radiography, CT, nuclear medicine, MRI, ultrasound, and other modalities in a unified approach emphasizing conceptual similarities between different techniques. A strong emphasis is placed on the mathematical and theoretical aspects of image formation and analysis, as well as on the underlying physical properties of tissues that determine the nature of the information obtainable by each method. The material for each modality is organized by themes: how images are formed, what physical properties are relevant to image quality, what information do they convey, what principles are involved in designing systems, and what limits the information available. This is a foundation course that provides the essential imaging science for all Ph.D. students on the Imaging Track. [3 credit hours, offered every fall as Physics 228 and every spring as BME 258]
Mathematical Methods for Imaging Scientists. As imaging science resides at the intersection of Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, and Biology, a solid understanding of many mathematical techniques are required if the student is to become an effective researcher. This course begins with a review of vector calculus (i.e., div, grad, curl), Maxwell’s Equations, complex analysis, and linear algebra before moving on to more advanced topics not necessarily encountered in the standard undergraduate science curriculum. These include partial differential equations, Bessel functions, principal and independent component analysis, integral transforms (e.g., Fourier, Radon, Mellin, Hilbert, etc.), tensors, and select computational and analytical techniques. The course concludes with a unit on writing and implementing code (in a language of the student’s choosing) so that the student can begin to apply and explore some of the techniques studies during the semester. Throughout the course, special emphasis is placed on using examples from imaging science wherever possible. [3 credit hours, offered every fall]
Biological Basis of Imaging. Establishing a strong connection between the methods of imaging and the underlying biological processes that give rise to image information is the overall goal of this class. This course provides the background by which students will learn not only what biological properties affect the signals used to construct images but also how various imaging approaches may be used to understand biological processes. [3 credit hours, offered every spring] Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging, Essential Maths for Imaging Scientists.
Quantitative Functional Imaging. This course emphasizes the technical aspects of making quantitative measurements of structure and function using different imaging methods, including special imaging methods as well as approaches to image analysis algorithms, and the use of modeling or data analytic techniques for assessing function. [3 credit hours, offered every fall] Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging, Essential Maths for Imaging Scientists.
Electives and Advanced Coursework
MRI Methods. This course covers details of common MRI methods and related topics including: image artifacts, signal-to-noise ratio, RF pulse design, water/fat separation, rapid imaging techniques, field inhomogeneities and mapping, diffusion and relaxation measurements, angiography and flow. There is also a laboratory component in which the students will implement and quantitatively evaluate MRI methods on the Institute's small animal MR systems. [3 credit hours, offered every spring]. Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging, Essential Maths for Imaging Scientists.
Neuroimaging. This course will survey methods of structural and functional imaging of the nervous system, focusing on the human or non-human primate brain and including the relevance of imaging to normal and pathological states. Specific techniques introduced will include functional MRI, MR spectroscopy, scalp electroencephalography, transcranial near-infrared imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and positron emission tomography. We will cover the basic science behind each technique, and discuss how each is applied in practice. We will also address the benefits of complementary information from different modalities, like the use of functional MR images to localize the sources of EEG signals or the use of simultaneous fMRI and electrode recordings to study the physiological mechanism of the fMRI response. [3 credit hours, offered every fall] Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging, Essential Maths for Imaging Scientists.
Cancer Imaging. Biomedical imaging has transformed the way cancer research is done; so much so, in fact, that in 2003 the National Cancer Institute formally established a Cancer Imaging Program. The course begins with a unit on the biological characteristics of cancer and then proceeds to study how each imaging modality can offer particular information on the tumor micro- and macro-environment. A theme throughout the course is how imaging can go beyond mere anatomic/morphologic characterization to provide non-invasive, quantitative, longitudinal assessment of tumor growth and treatment response. The course concludes with a unit on Clinical Trials and how imaging can be used to more accurately assess a particular drug’s efficacy. [3 credit hours, offered every spring] Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging.
Imaging with Ionizing Radiation. The course begins by covering the basic principles of radiation and the interaction of radiation with matter, with particular attention given to radiation detection and measurement. After discussing issues and applications of planar imaging techniques such as digital radiography and mammography, the principles of tomographic imaging and reconstruction from projections are presented. X-ray CT, positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are all covered in depth including the applications of each. Throughout the course emphasis is placed on the underlying physics and the technical issues that impact image quality. [3 credit hours, offered every other fall and every other spring] Prerequisite: Physics and Engineering of Medical Imaging, Essential Maths for Imaging Scientists.
Depending on the student’s interest and course availability, all required coursework can be finished within 2-3 years. For example, a typical incoming graduate student in BME interested in pursing the Imaging Science track might follow the following program of study :
