Course Descriptions

GMS IM 600 Bioimaging Foundations
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. The physical, mathematical, and experimental foundations of bioimaging are studied with historical context and are presented in the following sequence: bioimaging, principles, bioimaging mathematics, and bioimaging physics, leading to the study of the different bioimage generation techniques (modalities). Jara. 4 cr, 1st sem.
GMS IM 610 Magnetic Resonance: Principles, Methods, and Applications in Biomedical Research
Prerequisite: consent of instructor This course will provide an overview of the underlying principles of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and the various methodologies used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with emphasis on methods applied in biomedical research. The course will emphasize the connection between the basic manipulation of the spin system via the sequence of RF and gradient pulses (the pulse sequence) and the information that can be retrieved from the observed object, be it a solution of an isolated protein of the human brain. Greenman. 4 cr, 1st sem
GMS IM 620 Bioimaging Theory & Imaging Processing
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. The main theoretical aspects of bioimaging are studied, including image meaning, image generation, image quality (analysis, improvement, and limits), image information content (generation and extraction), and image assisted modeling of biologic systems. Mathematical foundations and basic techniques for digital image processing are studied theoretically as well as in a hands-on approach in the Image Processing Laboratory. Greenman. 4cr, 2nd sem.
GMS IM 630 Methods of Functional Imaging of the Brain
Prerequisite: consent of instructor This course will provide an overview of the various existing methods for detecting and mapping brain function in vivo. A brief introduction will provide the necessary background to brain physiology: electrical activity, synaptic transmission, cell metabolism and haemodynamic response associated with neuronal activity. Jara. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS IM 650 Bioimaging Practicum
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Students participate directly in day-to-day imaging activities including clinical (radiology daily noon conferences) as well as research activities (hands-on imaging experiments with phantoms and animals). Jara. 4 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS IM 651 Statistical Analysis of Neuroimaging Data
Prerequisite: consent of instructor This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the parametric and non-parametric statistical procedures that are commonly used to analyze data generated from in vivo imaging techniques such as CT, MRI, PET and SPECT. Killiany. 2 cr, SS I.
GMS IM 655 Directed Studies in Bioimaging
Var cr
GMS IM 660 Radiation Protection & Ethics
Prerequisite: consent of instructor Many of the established and state-of-the-art modalities in diagnostic imaging rely upon radiation as the imaging agent. However, radiation in itself is considered a hazard that must be controlled. This course will introduce the fundamentals of understanding radiation, the risks of radiation exposure, and the methods of minimizing its harmful potential while maximizing its beneficial qualities. Norbash. 2 cr, 1st sem.
GMS IM 670 Special Topics in Bioimaging
Prerequisite: consent of instructor Imaging has come to increasingly serve as a substrate and necessary ingredient for progressively more complex diagnoses and therapy. The increasing significance of the imaging components has been classically appreciated in fields such as radiation therapy, where planning of treatment based on images is integral to the therapy itself, and has spread beyond the boundaries of such disciplines to numerous surgical fields such as neurosurgery, orthopedics, and ear, nose, and throat surgery. TBA 2 cr., on demand
GMS IM 680 Professional Development
Prerequisite: consent of instructor This is a preparatory course for students making the transition from a formal academic program into the dynamic work place. It will cover those fundamental skills required to facilitate searching, locating, and qualifying for the job of one’s choice. It will cover topics such as building a portfolio, networking, resume writing, and interviewing skills. Speakers in the various fields of imaging will be invited to discuss how he or she made the transition into the workplace and students will have the opportunity to discuss and discover the various pitfalls on the paths of entry into the field of his or her choice. Zucker. Moss, Norbash, & Kim 

1st sem, 2 cr.
GMS IM 690 Imaging of Neurological Disorders of the Brain
Prerequisite: consent of instructor This course will look at the role played by modern, minimally invasive imaging techniques in the detection, management, research and testing of treatment efficacy of various neurological diseases that affect the brain. Each week a different disorder will be presented. Killiany. 2 cr, 2nd sem.
GMS IM 700 Thesis Research I
Prerequisite: consent of instructor First phase of a three-semester directed research project, the MBI project in the field of bioimaging during which students will choose an area of concentration in bioimaging, select a faculty member in the greater Boston area who will agree to serve as thesis/project advisor, identify a line of research and define the specific objectives of a project to be conducted in the following three semesters. Jara. 2 cr, 1st sem
GMS IM 701 Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Professionals
Prerequisite: consent of instructor Imaging techniques such as computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have seen rapid rates of growth in the past years. It is vital that professionals working with these imaging tools have a strong working knowledge of gross anatomy to understand the images they are looking at. This course is designed to give students in the Masters in Bioimaging program the fundamental knowledge they will need of gross anatomy. The course is taught from medical images such as CT and MRI rather than more traditional methods since this is the source of information the MBI students are expected to encounter in their future. Moore, Siwek. Moore, Siwek. 2 cr, Fall and Spring sem. 2 cr. either sem.
GMS IM 705 Clinical and MR Pathophysiology
This course familiarizes the student with common pathologies found in magnetic resonance imaging and the appearance of these pathologies in various imaging protocols and the imaging appearance of a variety of pathological aberrations affecting patients. The knowledge of disease processes and their signal characteristics on various imaging sequences is essential to ensure the best practices in patient care and quality imaging. This course will include a high level review of clinical imaging in various disease states. Lectures are geared toward a practical, problem-solving approach to conditions and a systematic approach to interpretation of diagnostic imaging studies will be utilized. Norbash, Killiany, Jara. 4 cr, 1st sem.
GMS IM 710 Thesis Research II
Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Second phase of a three-semester thesis research project in the field of bioimaging during which students postulate a hypothesis, design an experimental protocol to test the hypothesis, acquire data (pilot and final). Jara. 2 cr, 2nd sem
GMS IM 730 Thesis Research III
Prerequisite: consent of instructor Third phase of a three-semester thesis project in the field of bioimaging during which student finish data analysis and primarily concentrate on writing a comprehensive technical report describing in detail their work in Phases I and II. Jara. 2 cr, SS I, II.
GMS IM 791 Clinical Internship I
This course is the first of two structured clinical internship courses designed to provide students with clinical practice and patient management training. Student progression in competency levels through clinical performance objectives are accomplished through demonstration and observation, after which the student assists in performing specified clinical activities. When a satisfactory degree of proficiency is apparent, the student performs specific activities under supervision to achieve clinical competency specified under Article II of the American Registry Radiological Technologies (ARRT) Rules and Regulations. Norbash, Bergeron 4 cr, 1st sem.
GMS IM 792 Clinical Internship II
This course is the second of two structural clinical internship courses designed to provide students with clinical practice and patience management training. Student progression in competency levels through clinical performance objectives are accomplished through demonstration and observation, after which the student assists in performing specified clinical activites. When a satisfactory degree of proficiency is apparent, the student performs specific activities under supervision to achieve clinical competency specified under article II of the American Registry Radiological Technologists (ARRT) Rules and Regulations. Norbash, Bergeron 4 cr, 1st sem.