Overview

This eight-hour course will be a basic but comprehensive review of magnetic resonance imaging physics and techniques.  The presentations will be non-mathematical and will be suitable for clinicians and physicists new to the field.  The course will cover the basic principles of MR physics, signal encoding, pulse sequence timing diagrams, hardware, spin-echo and gradient-echo imaging, and a variety of techniques including parallel imaging, fat and water imaging, and diffusion imaging.

Educational Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to
•  define and describe the fundamental principles of MR imaging, including the definition of spin magnetization, the Larmor relationship,
   relaxation phenomena, and the process of using the spin magnetization to produce an image
•  explain imaging pulse sequences based upon spin and gradient echoes, including fast spin-echo and echo planar techniques
•  design MR imaging protocols for diagnostic applications considering image contrast, spatial resolution, acquisition time,
   signal-to-noise ratio, and artifacts;  and
•  describe the principles of parallel imaging, fat and water imaging, and diffusion imaging.                          

Audience Description:

This course is primarily designed for the clinician who will benefit from an understanding of the "how's and why's" of MR imaging.  It requires no prior experience with MR.  However, those with some familiarity and experience will also benefit.  Those interested may include: radiologists and clinicians relatively new to MR imaging (including residents and fellows), experienced radiologists and clinicians wanting a refresher course in MR physics, and physicists and engineers wanting an introduction to the field.