1. Accueil
  2. EN
  3. Studying at ULB
  4. Find your course
  5. UE
PHYS-H409

Physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging

academic year
2025-2026
2026-2027

Course teacher(s)

Thierry METENS (Coordinator)

ECTS credits

3

Language(s) of instruction

english

Course content

Magnetic resonance imaging

Basis of nuclear magnetic resonance and Bloch equations. MRI Image and contrast formation. Fourier MRI. Relationship between sampling in the Fourier space and features in the final image. Fourier sampling schemes Signal to noise ratio and artefacts in MRI. MRI of coherent and incoherent motions, angiography, diffusion, functionnal MRI, Echo train imaging. Parallel imaging Simultaneous multislice imaging Compressed sensing Introduction to AI deep learning techniques Use of deep learning in MRI reconstruction-denoising &super resolution. Practical demonstrations in Erasme Hospital

Objectives (and/or specific learning outcomes)

Introduction to the physical principles of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

After the course the student should be able to

1. identify and analyse a MRI Sequence

2. understanding the Fourier signal sampling and the link between Fourier space and Image space
Using mathematics to understand the image formation and reconstruction (Fourier transform and deep learning techniques)

3. To realize a MRI acquisition, taking into account SNR, artefacts, duration and spatial resolution

4. to understand the differences between spin Echo and gradient echo sequences

5. To calculate the expected signal by solving the Bloch equations, including train echo physics chemical shift and diffusion

6. to understand the principles of parallel imaging, compressed sensing, simultaneous multislice excitation and deep learning based reconstruction

Teaching methods and learning activities

Ex cathedra and practicals

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

see slides and syllabus

Course notes

  • Podcast
  • Université virtuelle
  • Syllabus

Contribution to the teaching profile

This teaching unit contributes to the following competences:

Understanding the physical basis of image formation in MRI

Being able to use MRI for human, animal or in vitro imaging

being able to further develop MRI sequences and methods.
Understanding mathematical modeling of image formation using Bloch Equations and  deep learning techniques

Other information

Contacts

mail tmetens@ulb.be

Campus

Solbosch, Erasme

Evaluation

Method(s) of evaluation

  • Oral examination
  • Oral presentation

Oral examination

  • Out-of-session examination
  • Examination with preparation
  • Open book examination
  • Open question with short answer

Oral presentation

MRI=Oral exam preceeded by a written questionnaire

Mark calculation method (including weighting of intermediary marks)

Total based on questionnaire, presentation of a part of the course according to your choice  and oral questions
 

Language(s) of evaluation

  • english
  • french
  • (if applicable Dutch )

Programmes