After successful completion of the course the students should be able to

• describe in detail the mechanisms of nuclear magnetic resonance and explain how it can be used to form the basis for the MRI signal.
• explain the imaging process of MRI, from spin excitation to slice selection to phase and frequency encoding.
• design and draw sequence diagrams to achieve a given imaging scheme.
• compute gradient amplitudes and times for a given sampling of k-space.
• describe which basic image artifacts that are associated with MRI and, if possible, how they can be avoided when designing imaging sequences.
• select a basic imaging sequence and compute adequate parameters to achieve a desired contrast between tissues of given material parameters.

The aim of the course is to provide the students with a thorough understanding of the underlying physics and principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Topics include nuclear magnetic resonance, image formation, sources of contrast, sources of noise and artifacts, instrumentation and clinical aspects.

The learning activities in the course consist of Lectures and Exercises.

Lectures will cover the material in the course, and will be interleaved with Exercises. During the Exercises, you will work in a computer simulated MRI platform, solve problems, and finally write a report that is handed in.

The Exercises are part of the examination, see below.

Schema VT-2021-449

Install software in advance, as described below.

Course book:

Principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Signal Processing Perspective, Liang, Z.-P. and Lauterbur, P.C.

In order to do the Exercises at home, you need a personal computer or laptop, that can run MATLAB and some word processing software to write your report.

MATLAB is required to run the SeeMRI simulation toolkit. This software can be downloaded from KTH.

The SeeMRI toolkit will be available on LMS (Canvas).

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

Please inform the course coordinator if you need compensatory support during the course. Present a certificate from Funka.

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

• ANN1 - Assignment, 1.5 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Examination, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Assignment ( ANN1 )

You may work together to solve the problems and write MATLAB code. However, you need to write your own individual report. Plagiarism is not tolerated and will be reported.

Submit both MATLAB code and report for each Exercise.

Examination ( TEN1 )

The exam will be a non-proctured home exam, where you are allowed to use the course material to solve problems individually. Collaboration is not allowed. After the exam, a random selection of students will be called up to explain their solutions via Zoom.

To pass the course, you need to pass both ANN1 and TEN1. The final grade will be determined by the score of the exam (TEN1).

Passed written exam (TEN1; 3 cr.) grading A-F.
Passed lab/home work (ANN1; 1.5 cr.) grading P/F.

Late submissions for the Exercises, failed or late revisions, will result in delayed correction of the corresponding Exercise.

For example, if you miss the submission deadline for Exercise 3, your submission will be reviewed and graded after the written exam. 

Late submissions or revisions of exercises may lead to delayed reporting of the ANN1 module.

The exam will be corrected and reported within three weeks of the exam. Final course completion may be finalized later.

If the exercises are not complete by the time of the exam, reporting of the exercises (ANN1) will be delayed, as will final course completion.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.