Module manager: Andrew Davies
Email: a.g.davies@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2026/27
As per programme pre-requisites
| MEDP3531 | Medical X-ray imaging |
This module is not approved as an Elective
X-ray imaging is the most common medical imaging technique, which plays a crucial role in modern medicine. This module explores the science and technology of medical X-ray imaging, showing how it can be used in treatment and diagnosis of disease. You will explore how images are acquired and how specialised X-ray systems are designed for different clinical applications, ranging from mammography to cardiac X-ray imaging. The module investigates cutting edge digital technologies used in X-ray imaging, such as digital detectors, computer processing and artificial intelligence systems that are in use in medical imaging. The module combines physical science, engineering and medicine, by relating the scientific principles to the clinical practice of medical X-ray imaging. You will be able to critically assess the performance of X-ray systems for a given clinical task, be able to problem-solve image quality issues, make informed decisions on the trade-offs between image quality and patient dose, helping you contribute to improving patient care and staff safety. The module is intended to appeal to medical practitioners, medical students and radiographers, as well as physical sciences students and engineering students considering a career (or an interest) in medical physics, and medical imaging.
You will explore how X-rays are produced, how they interact with matter and how this can be used to capture images of the human body. We will explore how why X-ray images of the body appear as they do, and the increasing role of computer processing to improve image quality and the computer diagnosis of disease within X-ray images.
We use computer-based simulation software written by module team in Leeds support your learning with interactive activities, developing your ability to deepen you understanding of the scientific concepts and how they apply to clinical practice.
We explore how X-ray systems are designed for specific clinical uses, and how the optimisation of their design and use produces high quality images at low levels of radiation dose to patients.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Describe and evaluate how the appearance of X-ray images is determined by the physical principles of X-ray production, interactions with matter and image formation process
2. Provide examples of the use of medical imaging in medicine, critically assessing the specialised design of X-ray equipment in relation to its intended clinical application
3. Critically appraise X-ray images in both quantitative and qualitative terms, relating these to radiation dose and image quality
4. Explain how images are acquired in digital format and how the digital image can be manipulated and displayed to clinical users
5. Compare the design of X-ray systems for different clinical applications and appraise how the equipment specifications, configuration and clinical usage affect image quality and radiation dose to patients and staff.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Assess the benefits to patients of medical X-ray imaging in relation to the harm and risk caused, investigating how X-ray systems and their use can be optimised to improve this balance
Evaluate your own progress and achievements using computer simulation tools in independent and directed problem solving activities.
1. X-ray production
2. Interactions of X-rays with matter
3. Radiation and its biological effects
4. Principles of image formation
5. Image capture
6. Digital image processing, display and storage
7. Image quality and radiation dose
8. Clinical applications of X-ray imaging
9. Optimising the performance of X-ray imaging systems
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 17 | 1 | 17 |
| Practical | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Seminar | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Independent online learning hours | 38 | ||
| Private study hours | 90 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Workbooks guide students through practical experiments using the computer simulators. Formative online MCQs and other automatically graded questions are provided on Minerva after each topic. In class discussion and use of online chat/teams also allow students to seek additional feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Problem Sheet | Worksheets using computer simulators | 0 |
| In-course MCQ | Following most lectures students will receive formative questions in a range of formats (calculations, MCQs, longer answer and so on). | 0 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 0 | |
Each topic is followed by a formative online test using Blackboard tests. The tests use automatically marked question types (MCQs, calculations, fill-in-the-blank and so on), with marks and feedback automatically given to students. There are also a series of problem sheets that give students exercises that use the computer simulation software that supports their learning to explore and link key concepts in the module.
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Open Book exam | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 22/05/2026
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team