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⇱ Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging I | Coursera


Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging I

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Advanced level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Advanced level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understand the main imaging concepts that characterize the quality of imaging techniques for Signal (SNR) and Contrast (CNR). 

  • Understand the essential principles of ultrasound, X-ray imaging (CT), SPECT, PET.

  • For each of the above techniques, be aware of the factors limiting the image quality.

  • Describe/analyse typical applications and recognize the imaging technique used to produce a given image

Details to know

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Recently updated!

June 2026

Assessments

30 assignments

Taught in English

There are 8 modules in this course

Fundamentals of Biomedical Imaging: Ultrasounds, X-ray, positron emission tomography (PET) and applications

Learn how principles of basic science are integrated into major biomedical imaging modalities and the different techniques used, such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), ultrasounds and positron emission tomography (PET). This physics course covers the physical principles of major in vivo bio-imaging modalities and the different imaging techniques. After a short study of ultrasound imaging, you will learn about the different X-ray imaging techniques. The understanding of the interaction of X-rays with tissue will lead to the study of three different techniques: • Computed Tomography (CT) • Emission Tomography • Positron Emission Tomography (PET) This course shows how existing physical principles transcend into bio-imaging and establish an important link into life sciences, illustrating the contributions physics can make to life sciences. Practical examples will be shown to illustrate the respective imaging modality, its use, premise and limitations, and biological safety will be touched upon. During this course, you will develop a good understanding of the mechanisms leading to tissue contrast of the bio-imaging modalities covered in this course, including the inner workings of the scanner and how they define the range of possible biomedical applications. You will be able to judge which imaging modality is adequate for specific life science needs and to understand the limits and promises of each modality. To learn more about biomedical imaging, join us in the second part of this course Biomedical Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

What's included

4 videos9 readings3 assignments2 plugins

4 videosTotal 51 minutes
  • 1.1 What is Biomedical Imaging ?14 minutes
  • 1.2 Optimization of SNR and CNR16 minutes
  • 1.3 Importance of Biomedical Imaging11 minutes
  • 1.4 Examples10 minutes
9 readingsTotal 70 minutes
  • Welcome5 minutes
  • Course structure5 minutes
  • Evaluation5 minutes
  • Course discussion5 minutes
  • Search the course5 minutes
  • Where to get help5 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 1 : Ressources30 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 30 minutes
  • Week 1: Graded Quiz20 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : Introduction8 minutes
2 pluginsTotal 60 minutes
  • Initial survey30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

4 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin

4 videosTotal 79 minutes
  • Video30 minutes
  • 2.2 Optimizing US frequency and examples21 minutes
  • 2.3 Basic of X-ray imaging13 minutes
  • 2.4 Generation of medical X-rays16 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 2: Ressources30 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 68 minutes
  • Week 2 : Graded quiz40 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : Ultrasound imaging14 minutes
  • Training quiz : X-ray imaging12 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

6 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin

6 videosTotal 93 minutes
  • 3.1 Basis of contrast for x-ray imaging12 minutes
  • 3.2 Interaction of X-rays with tissue27 minutes
  • 3.3 Interaction of X-rays with tissue II10 minutes
  • 3.4 Tissue dependence of x-ray absorption16 minutes
  • 3.5 Biological effects of ionizing radiation13 minutes
  • 3.6 Radiation protection primer15 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 3 : Ressources30 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 76 minutes
  • Week 3 : Graded quiz40 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : Compton, photoelectric effect and pair production18 minutes
  • Training quiz : effects of radiation and protection16 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

5 videos3 readings7 assignments1 plugin

5 videosTotal 72 minutes
  • 4.1 Absorption and x-ray spectrum17 minutes
  • 4.2 CNR in Computed Tomography11 minutes
  • 4.3 Basis of x-ray image reconstruction14 minutes
  • 4.4 Reconstruction algorithm of x-ray images20 minutes
  • 4.5 Computed Tomography, Examples and Summary9 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 4: Ressources30 minutes
7 assignmentsTotal 80 minutes
  • Week 4 : Graded quiz36 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : Absorption & X-ray spectrum8 minutes
  • Training quiz : Factors influencing contrast in X-ray imaging8 minutes
  • Training quiz : Basis of image reconstruction using X-ray absorption8 minutes
  • Training quiz : Reconstruction of X-ray images8 minutes
  • Training quiz : X-ray CT, examples & summary10 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

6 videos3 readings4 assignments1 plugin

6 videosTotal 82 minutes
  • 5.1 Introduction to Emission Tomography16 minutes
  • 5.2 Collimation of emitted x-rays18 minutes
  • 5.3 Attenuation correction16 minutes
  • 5.4 Principle of x-ray detection I11 minutes
  • 5.5 Principle of x-ray detection II7 minutes
  • 5.6 Scatter discrimination and SPECT Summary13 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 5: Ressources30 minutes
4 assignmentsTotal 198 minutes
  • Week 5 : graded quiz180 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : collimation and attenuation8 minutes
  • Training quiz : Principles of X-ray detection8 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

5 videos3 readings5 assignments1 plugin

5 videosTotal 82 minutes
  • 6.1 Introduction to PET22 minutes
  • 6.2 Types of coincidences measured with PET18 minutes
  • 6.3 Attenuation correction in PET15 minutes
  • 6.4 Resolution in PET imaging12 minutes
  • 6.5 Examples of typical PET tracers15 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 6: ressources30 minutes
5 assignmentsTotal 58 minutes
  • Week 6 : graded quiz36 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz : coincidence detection6 minutes
  • Training quiz : attenuation and resolution8 minutes
  • Training quiz : Typical PET tracers & Overview of X-ray Imaging modalities.6 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

3 videos3 readings3 assignments1 plugin

3 videosTotal 61 minutes
  • 7.1 Compartmental modeling26 minutes
  • 7.2 Tracer kinetics22 minutes
  • 7.3 Metabolism measured by deoxyglucose13 minutes
3 readingsTotal 40 minutes
  • Week description5 minutes
  • What you have learned5 minutes
  • Week 7: ressources30 minutes
3 assignmentsTotal 32 minutes
  • Week 7 : Graded quiz20 minutes
  • Introductory question2 minutes
  • Training quiz: Tracer kinetics and metabolism10 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • Your feedback30 minutes

What's included

1 reading1 plugin

1 readingTotal 30 minutes
  • Course evaluation30 minutes
1 pluginTotal 30 minutes
  • New Plugin Item30 minutes

Instructor

École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
1 Course13 learners

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