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PHYC41000

Academic Year 2026/2027

Medical Imaging Physics I (PHYC41000)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Irene Hernandez Giron
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

The module will begin by providing a brief account of the history of diagnostic medical imaging and an overview of specific mathematical methods relevant to the area. The lectures will review X-ray beam production and X-ray tube construction, and provide an introduction into the principles which form the basis of projection radiography for patient. The physical properties of image receptors and their effect on imaging characteristics and quality, such as image contrast, noise, and spatial and temporal resolution, will be examined. The lectures will introduce the modalities of computed and digital radiography, fluoroscopy, mammography, DEXA and dental radiography. For each, specific imaging modes, detector technologies, the use of radiographic contrast agents and performance testing will be discussed. The lectures will progress to the basic principles and scanning modes of Computed Tomography (CT), reviewing reconstruction techniques, imaging artifacts and parameters that affect both the imaging performance and the radiation dose to the patient. Finally, the module will consider the topic of image processing and of medical display monitors.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students should have acquired an understanding of the X-ray generation, the principles of projection radiography and the various imaging modalities which employ these principles in the hospital environment. Students should have acquired an appreciation for the different types of imaging receptors used for each modality, the factors affecting the quality of the acquired images, and how to approach performance testing. Students should also acquire an understanding of the image processing reconstruction techniques used in diagnostic imaging.

Indicative Module Content:

1. X-ray production, the X-ray tube and X-ray beams used in diagnostic imaging
2. Radiography
3. X-ray detection and different types of detectors in diagnostic imaging
4. Fundamentals of image quality metrics
5. Image Processing and analysis
6. Fluoroscopy and interventional radiology
7. Breast imaging: mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis
8. Visualisation and fusion in medical imaging
9. Digital imaging - DICOM format standard
10. Computed Tomography
11. Dental, mobile, DEXA and tomography systems.

The order of these topics may be changed to accomodate for lecturers' availability.

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Collaboration

 The ability to learn from others; to understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others (empathy); to understand, relate to and be sensitive to others (empathic leadership); to deal with conflicts in a group; and to facilitate collaborative and participatory problem solving. Proficient

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Normative

 The ability to understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions; and to negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interest and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions. Advanced Beginner

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Competent

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

48
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will combine lectures, a group work presentation and an individual presentation (journal club). Students will be required to present their findings. The module will also be assessed with an end-of term exam.

Students may use generative AI tools for limited support in this module. Students may use AI for planning and researching their work, assisting with their presentations, refining the language of text they alone have authored or debugging their own code, but not to generate text, interpret results (including experimental data, simulations), solve assigned problems, generate presentations, formulate scientific conclusions or write the code required for computational assignments. Students remain fully responsible for the accuracy and reliability of their learning, and should be able to demonstrate their understanding of the work submitted during discussions with staff. Specifically, students are expected to be able to answer questions and explain and justify the theory, procedures, analysis and conclusions provided in their assignments and projects, as well as the structure and workings of any code used. For any assignment/presentation/project, students must include a statement that they had adhered to this AI usage statement, which is based on UCD guidelines, citing any AI tools used and (if requested) the prompts submitted.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): End of trimester exam. In-person exam at the exam centre. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group presentation on quality assurance / performance testing of a specific X-ray unit. Week 4 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No
Individual Project: Individual presentation reviewing a journal publication on a topic related to the module's content. Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Dr Sean Cournane Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Irene Hernandez Giron Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Luis Leon Vintro Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Brendan McClean Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 9 Mon 13:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 4 Mon 13:00 - 17:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 Mon 15:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 14:00 - 14:50
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