Unit information: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Summer School in 2015/16

Unit name	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Summer School
Unit code	PSYCM0031
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Kauppinen
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Psychological Science
Faculty	Faculty of Life Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

This unit provides a deep insight into current state-of-the art use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in scientific and clinical research into the functioning of the human brain. Beside oral presentations/lectures/seminars by MR specialists, this unit will give students the opportunity to see the scanner at work and experience data handling first-hand.

The central aim of the unit is to provide students with a critical perspective and understanding of magnetic resonance-based brain imaging techniques in the context of neuropsychological and neurological research. This module not only provides students with theoretical knowledge and concepts in this domain, but allows them hands-on experience with the MR scanner as well as data analysis. It fosters original thought because each student is invited to develop their own theoretical position on usefulness and limitations of the techniques for their particular area of research interest.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Completion of the course will provide:

1. A deeper understanding of the advances in magnetic resonance imaging in scientific research and current limitations of the technique.
2. A capacity to think independently and generate novel theoretical positions.
3. An appreciation of the relationship between scientific and clinical research.
4. An understanding of mechanisms underlying brain function.

Teaching Information

15 lectures will be delivered by the course leader and invited speakers from the field of MRI. There will be a hands-on session on the CRIC 3 T scanner (up to 7 students per session) followed by an image analysis session on the CRIC work stations.

Assessment Information

Each student individually delivers an assessed 30 minute presentation on a topic in MR (100% of total unit mark).

Reading and References

Textbooks: (a) McRobbie D.W., Moore E.A., Graves M.J. & Prince M.R.(2004). MRI: From Picture to Proton. Cambridge University Press
(b) Jezzard P., Matthews P.M. & Smith S.M. (2002). Functional MRI; An Introduction to Methods. Oxford University Press,
Further, selected peer reviewed scientific papers will be used as teaching material .