PDF versionModule Leader (CUED Coordinator)
Lecturer
Timing and Structure
Lent Term. Assessment: 100% exam. The lectures will be recorded.
Prerequisites
3G4 useful
Aims
The aims of the course are to:
- Provide an overview of the application of physics in medicine
- Understand the general principles of medical image reconstruction and registration
- Compare and contrast the medical imaging techniques that are available in a hospital setting and explain their relative merits
- Explain the difference between imaging with ionising and non-ionising radiation in the context of radiation dosimetry and risk
- Describe sensing and therapeutic applications of physics in medicine
Content
Medical physics (and clinical engineering) is a spectrum of specialities that apply physics and technology to medicine. The course is broadly split into two.
Ionising Radiation in Medical Physics
Ionising radiation interactions, generation, and detection are covered before moving into their broad application in Medical Physics in imaging (CT), nuclear medicine, radiation safety, and radiotherapy.
Non-ionising radiation in Medical Physics
Physiological sensing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) are covered, providing background on methods of measuring physiological parameters and imaging without the use of ionising radiation.
Further notes
The material should be accessible to all Part IIA Bioengineering and Part III Physics students.The lectures will be delivered by the module lead, Andrew Robinson, and guest lecturers, who are medical physicists invited from Addenbrooke's, to give a flavour of the clinical applications of physics used in daily patient management.
Booklists
Please refer to the Booklist for Part IIB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.
Examination Guidelines
Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.
UK-SPEC
This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:
Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.
GT1
Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
IA1
Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.
IA2
Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in formulating designs.
KU1
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.
KU2
Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.
S4
Awareness of the framework of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health, safety, and risk (including environmental risk) issues.
E1
Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.
E2
Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.
P1
A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.
P3
Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).
US1
A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.
US3
An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.
US4
An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.
Last modified: 23/06/2026 13:34