Advanced MR Physics 1

Period (from – till ): 10 November 2025 - 30 January 2026 (BMS_P2_A)

Course coordinator: Dr. ir. Wilbert Bartels.
Lecturers
Dr.ir. Wilbert Bartels, UMC Utrecht/Imaging & Oncology Division, lecturer
Dr. Clemens Bos, UMC Utrecht/Imaging & Oncology Division, lecturer

Course description
This advanced MRI course covers the physical principles of MRI and sequence design issues.
Topics that will be covered are:

• The classical NMR mode: nucleus in a magnetic field
• Rotating reference frame & resonance
• Bloch equations
• Signal detection concepts
• Signal acquisition: FID and echo techniques
• Multi-dimensional Fourier imaging and k-space
• Fourier image reconstruction
• Signal, contrast and noise
• Basic sequence design

For the lectures (morning sessions) attendance is highly recommended; the tutorial sessions in the afternoon are mandatory: students have to prepare and present assignments.

Literature/study material used
Magnetic resonance imaging: Physical principles and sequence design. E.M. Haacke, R.W. Brown, M.R. Thompson, R. Venkatesan. John Wiley & Sons, New York, second edition, and hand-outs provided by the lecturers. Please note that the book is available as an e-book (download) on the website of Utrecht University Library.Registration
You can register for this course via here on the Students' site.
Students from outside the UU or TU/E MI-track can register for this course by sending an email to mix@umcutrecht.nl or via EduXchange. Please include your name, student number, Master’s programme and the course code.
Mandatory
No.

Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
Yes.

Prerequisite knowledge:
Basic knowledge of mathematics (differential equations, vector calculus, Fourier analysis, complex functions, electromagnetism (Faraday’s law of induction, static magnetic field calculations, electromagnetic waves)) and MRI at BSc level. Preferably also the study material on MRI provided in the Medical Imaging course Medical Image Formation.

After completing the course the student:

1. understands the physical origin of the NMR signal;
2. can mathematically describe the methods used for spatial encoding of the NMR signal, for signal detection and for subsequent image reconstruction;
3. understands and can mathematically describe the methods for creating various types of signal weighting in MRI;
4. can mathematically derive optimal parameter settings for specific MRI applications given certain prerequisites in terms of signal-to-noise-ratio, contrasts, scan duration, etc.;
5. knows the basic concepts of pulse sequence design for MRI techniques.

You will be enrolled for this course by administration of the programme of this course.