Department of Medical Imaging Sciences
DXMS4160—Physics Concepts for Diagnostic Imaging
Course Rationale
This entry level college physics course provides knowledge generally not obtained in many secondary school
physics courses. The primary goal of this course is to provide the student with specific knowledge and the
physics prerequisites necessary to enter a program in medical imaging. The information presented in this
course, and the skills developed form part of the introductory training in radiography, nuclear medicine,
magnetic resonance imaging, or sonography.
Course Description
The course explores the basic fundamentals of physics with emphasis on medical imaging. Along with basic
concepts of mathematics, topics include hemodynamics, electricity, acoustics, optics, and radioactivity.
Credits/Mode of Instruction 3 credit equivalent / Web Based
Time Management to Complete the Course
The students should plan to spend approximately 8-10 hours per week on course work. This includes time spent
logging on to cover course content. It also includes time you will need to do the assignments, and time spent
studying and taking quizzes and examinations. Please keep in mind that the 8-10 hour timeframe is an estimate;
some weeks may require more or less time.
Course Start Dates:
This course is designed to have a rolling enrollment. Once the on-line registration form is completed and
payment has been received, the student will be notified via email immediately with a confirmation and
instruction on how to access the course.
Registration Form:
Course registration is on-line at the link provided below. The initial offering of this course is as a
“Certificate” course. The cost of the course is less than if granting college credits. Upon completion of the
course, student may request to have the course converted to a credit bearing course. Students will be required to
pay the difference between the certificate course and course per credit and complete a portfolio assessment
application (see last page). Students requesting the change after one year will be required to retake a final
examination.
https://apps.shrp.rutgers.edu/projects/onlinepayment/MIS/MIS_physicsform.cfm
Page -1-
General Requirements
The expectation is that the student is either enrolled in a college-level allied health program or plans to enroll in
such a program. Course content is delivered primarily via the Internet; therefore, the student is expected to be a
self-directed learner capable of functioning effectively in a distance learning environment.
The student will be provided with learning objectives and significant concepts to be encountered in each week.
With these as guidelines, the student will be required to read any relevant sections in the assigned textbook.
Additional outside reading may be sought by any student who wishes to expand the coverage of the material.
This can include traditional textbooks, journal articles, and internet resources
Technical requirements
The student should possess basic computer skills such as: Internet browsing and searching, e-mailing, word
processing, and file transfer (uploading/downloading). The participant must also have remote (off-campus)
access to Internet services: including at least Internet browsing capability and e-mail.
The following programs are used extensively in the delivery of course content: Microsoft Word,
PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
Moodle Course Management System Orientation
Rutgers uses the Moodle Course Management System to deliver the on-line courses. All first time students
are required to complete an on-line orientation before accessing course material. The orientation will
introduce you to the Moodle environment and guide you through some of its most commonly used features. The
orientation may be accessed at:
http://moodle.umdnj.edu/file.php/1/moodle_demo_small_text/moodle_demo_small.htm
Instructor/Contact Information
The facilitator/instructor for this course is Mr. Nathan Pinkney. He can be reached by e-mail at
pinknena@shrp.rutgers.edu or by telephone at (215) 872-0174.
It is recommended that you use the course email system to communicate with the instructor on any topic
concerning this course.
Class Meeting: The class is web-based and course material may be accessed at any time; however, students are
required to log on for exams and discussions on specified dates and times.
Office Hours: The primary means of communication/contact is via course e-mail. Students’ queries sent via
course e-mail will be answered within 72 hours of submission. Telephone conferences will be scheduled on an
“as necessary” basis, and have to be requested via e-mail.
Course Goals and Objectives:
Goals
Page -2-
The aim of the course is to provide the student with specific knowledge and the physics prerequisites necessary
to enter a program in medical imaging. It is intended to prepare students to undertake other physics courses that
are specific to their overall medical imaging program.
General Objectives: Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
1. Define the various imaging modalities including radiography, nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance
imaging, sonography, and endoscopy
2. Discuss the fundamentals of mathematics.
3. Define the various units of measurement.
4. Understand the concepts of work, energy, power, and motion.
5. Discuss the principles of elasticity.
6. Understand the hemodynamics related to medical imaging.
7. Discuss the concepts of sound wave production.
8. Define the concepts of electricity and magnetism.
9. Understand the general concepts of light and optics.
10. Understand general concepts of radioactivity.
11. Understand the concepts of medical imaging informatics
Course Units
The course is comprised of 13 units plus a comprehensive final examination. Learning Resources for each unit
consist of on-line PowerPoint and PDF presentations (with practice questions) along with reading assignments.
Students are allotted 7 days to cover the content and requirements for each unit. Specific dates and deadlines
are contained in the course calendar. Students may complete more than one unit per week but must
complete at least one. At the successful completion of this course, the student will receive a “Certificate of
Completion” which will include their final grade. Completion of this course DOES NOT guaranteed
admittance into any of the programs within Department of Medical Imaging Sciences.
WEEK/UNIT:
1.
Topic: Course Introduction and Physics Overview
2.
Topic: Units and Dimensions
3.
Topic: Mathematics Fundamentals
4.
Topic: Force, Motion, Work, Energy, Power
5.
Topic: Elasticity
6.
Topic: Hemodynamics
7.
Topic: Waves and Sound
8.
Topic: Electricity and Magnetism
9.
Topic: Light
10.
Topic: Geometric Optics
11.
Topic: Radioactivity
12.
Topic: Diagnostic Imaging Modalities Part I
a) X-ray
b) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
c) Nuclear Medicine
d) Positron Emission Tomography (PET)
e) Ultrasonography
13.
Topic: Diagnostic Imaging Modalities Part II
a) Diagnostic Ultrasound (Sonography)
b) Video Endoscopy Systems
Page -3-
14.
c) Medical Imaging Informatics
d) Digital Image Storage and PACS
Topic: Comprehensive Final Examination
Procedure for Converting the Certificate Course into a Credit Bearing Course
Individuals that have successfully completed the “certificate” course can apply to have the course
converted to credits by following this procedure:
1. Apply for Portfolio Assessment (form located at the link below)
http://shrp.rutgers.edu/current_students/registrar/documents/ApplicationforPortfolioAssessment.pdf
2. Contact the Dept. of Medical Imaging Sciences to find out the cost for the Portfolio Assessment
The money order or check should be payable to: Rutgers’ SHRP
3. The application states to submit the form to Enrollment Services. Instead please submit the form
with your payment to:
Dept. of Medical Imaging Sciences
Cynthia Silkowski, Chair
Dept. of Medical Imaging Sciences
1776 Raritan Road, Room 545
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Include a 1-2 page (typed) description of the course
Submit application fee for “Portfolio Assessment” which is ½ the tuition rate for 3 credits
If the course is within one year of completion, nothing more needs to be done
The Department of Medical Imaging Sciences will submit a copy of your grades and the
certificate for review
If the course was completed over a year, then the individual will have to test out of the course by
retaking a final exam to demonstrate competency in the subject area.
Disclaimer: The School of Health Related Professions- Medical Imaging Sciences program, reserves the right
to change the portfolio assessment policies, procedures, rules, regulations and information for the course at any
time. Changes to the policy or procedure will become effective at the time the proper authorizes so determine.
Page -4-