Module manager: Dr Amber Gislason-Lee
Email: A.Gislason-Lee@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: 1 Jul to 31 Aug View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
GPA of 2.5 (US) or equivalent and enrolled at a university
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Explore the world of medical imaging and discover how cutting-edge technology supports the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of disease in modern healthcare. This module offers an introduction to the science behind medical imaging and its clinical applications, including the growing role of artificial intelligence in hospitals. You’ll learn about a range of imaging techniques, from how X-rays and ultrasound images are produced to the differences between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans. Through interactive sessions and hands-on activities, you’ll gain insight into the physics and technology that underpin these essential tools in medicine. The module also includes a field trip to a state-of-the-art research facility.
Students will develop an understanding of the basic scientific principles behind four selected imaging modalities – X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging. The focus will be on answering three main questions: How does the equipment work? What is it used for? And How do the different modalities differ from each other? Selected clinical applications and potential harmful side-effects will be described; this will demonstrate how anatomy and physiology can be visualised, and emphasise the differing roles of the different modalities. Lectures will include a lot of interactive group discussions around images shown, and there will be some practical learning where feasible, to consolidate knowledge gained.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Describe the image formation process for the four imaging modalities
Provide examples of the use of each imaging modality in a healthcare setting
State potential harmful side effects of each imaging modality
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
Technical
1. identify and differentiate different types of imaging equipment, within the four modalities taught
2. critically analyse the use of medical imaging equipment, answering questions like Is this the most suitable modality for this clinical situation? Is this software or artificial intelligence feature useful for this particular imaging system?
Academic
1. assess the ethical risks associated with certain medical imaging techniques i.e. weighing benefit with risk to the patient
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Fieldwork | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Practical | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Seminar | 7 | 3 | 21 |
| Independent online learning hours | 15 | ||
| Private study hours | 43 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 42 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
There will be a feedback session scheduled, where students receive lecturer and peer feedback on their planned case studies during an open verbal discussion.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Students will choose a medical image they have found in a book or online, and describe it in a pre-recorded oral presentation, maximum 10 minutes. They will describe the image as one application of one of the taught modalities, including suitability of the modality for that clinical scenario and/or anatomy, and safety risks associated with it. | 100 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 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: 18/02/2026
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