MSc Medical Imaging
- Programme director
- Kevin Wells
- Programme length
- Full-time: 12 months, Part-time: up to 48 months
- Programme start date
- September 2013
Training graduates for careers in this multidisciplinary area with a mix of theoretical and applied topics.
Programme overview
The term ‘medical imaging’ may invoke images of brain slices acquired from modern scanners. However, the breadth of this subject is far wider. Applications include the creation of 3D graphical models for facial reconstruction from scan data, the visualisation of complex vascular (blood vessel) structures to assist keyhole surgical procedures, techniques for creating patient-specific 3D modelling of human organ shapes and image-based methods designed to detect various pathologies and disease states in humans.
Medical imaging is a rapidly growing discipline within the healthcare sector, involving clinicians, physicists, computer scientists and those in the IT sector. This is fuelled by the rapid development of 3D medical imaging systems over the last few decades, matched by an exponential rise in computing power. This has allowed the development of new methods for the acquisition, reconstruction, processing and display of digital medical image data with unprecedented speed, resolution and contrast: a trend which can only continue.
The MSc Medical Imaging is aimed at training graduates for careers in this exciting multidisciplinary area and provides a judicious mix of theoretical and applied topics.
Entry requirements
An honours degree in electronic engineering, mathematics, computing or physical sciences. Our minimum entry level is a 2.2 from a good UK university, or overseas equivalent. Relevant industrial experience will also be considered.
English language requirements
IELTS minimum overall: 6.5
IELTS minimum by component:
6.0
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Fees and funding
All fees are subject to increase or review for subsequent academic years. Please note that not all visa routes permit part-time study and overseas students entering the UK on a Tier 4 visa will not be permitted to study on a part-time basis.
| Programme name | Study mode | Start date | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Medical Imaging | Full-time | Sept 2013 | £6,720 | £17,585 |
| MSc Medical Imaging | Part-time | Sept 2013 | £560 per 15 credits | £1,465 per 15 credits |
Programme content
Compulsory Modules
- Human and Radiation Biology
- Image Processing and Vision
- Imaging Applications of Ionising Radiation and Imaging Applications of Non-ionising Radiation
- Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
- Professional Skills for Clinical Science and Engineering
- Radiation Physics
- Artificial Intelligence and AI Programming
Module Overview
In common with many MSc programmes, Medical Imaging is taught over twelve months and split over three semesters. A dissertation project is carried out during the final semester.
Modular Content
Human and Radiation Biology
This module covers the basics of anatomy and physiology in order to provide an understanding of the information content presented in medical image data. You will also gain an understanding of the action of ionising radiation on living tissue.
Image Processing and Vision
This module covers an introduction to methods of image enhancement and quantitative image registration, as well as conventional topics such as image filtering and transformation and the ability to implement these concepts in software.
Imaging Applications of Ionising Radiation
Imaging Applications of Non-ionising Radiation
These two modules prepare you for the medical imaging and instrumentation aspects of real imaging environments, ranging from ultrasound and planar X-ray imaging to the modern tomographic imaging modalities (CT, MRI, PET and SPECT). These modules describe how images are acquired, reconstructed and processed, and exemplar applications are discussed. Formal lectures for these two modules are given by a variety of experts and clinical practitioners working in the relevant field, alongside visits and laboratory classes held at leading clinical institutes close to the main campus at Surrey.
Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition
This module complements material covered in the Image Processing and Vision module. The focus of the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition module is to deliver a hands-on working knowledge of vision algorithms and techniques, and provide an understanding of the mathematics underpinning them. Consequently a series of compulsory weekly labs accompanies this module. Topics covered include Image Processing, Pattern Classification , Features and Matching, Shape Representation and Tracking.
Professional Skills for Clinical Science and Engineering
This module provides context for the programme material in terms of medical imaging within the NHS, health and safety issues, the particular issues associated with undertaking clinical medical imaging research and the associated legislative framework. This includes workshops on ethics and intellectual property, student-led seminars and visits to local hospital departments. There is also a laboratory-based component to this module where you will undertake a number of radiation physics experiments.
Radiation Physics
This module covers the fundamental processes involved in forming images using ionising radiation. Topics include nuclear structure, radiation interaction and an introduction to ionising radiation detection.
Artificial Intelligence and AI Programming
This module introduces you to some of the basic ideas and concepts which underlie the development of artificial or machine intelligence being increasingly used in expert medical systems. Topics covered include agent-based search methods, logic, probabilistic reasoning, artificial neural networks and AI programming.
Dissertation and projects
The dissertation project provides an opportunity for you to apply material learnt during the previous two semesters and to develop a detailed knowledge of a particular area. Project work typically comprises some simulation or experimental work, often coupled with a programming component.
Projects are selected during the second semester from a broad list and undertaken between June and August, usually in collaboration with a clinical or industrial partner, and usually within the South East region. Projects may be based at the partner institute or at the University, but always require some travel to the partner institute for project meetings and data acquisition.
You will usually meet with your supervisor for a project meeting either every week or every fortnight. There is a mid-term assessment based at the University where you will orally present your work to your peers and an assessment panel. This provides you with feedback on your progress and some suggestions for your ongoing development.
Final assessment of the projects is by the submission of a dissertation report and through a viva voce examination held in early September.
Recent project titles include:
- Mammography image scoring tool for quantitative image quality assessment. Collaborator: National Coordinating Centre for the Physics of Mammography
- Using the NCAT Phantom for motion correction in SPECT/CT. Collaborator: Royal Surrey County Hospital
- Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI for assessment of renal function in paediatrics. Collaborator: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
- Partial volume correction in PET. Collaborator: Royal Marsden Hospital/Institute of Cancer Research
- A study of non-linear effects in ultrasound transducers. Collaborator: National Physical Laboratory
- Motion correction in X-ray CT. Collaborator: University College Hospital, London
Teaching
Taught master’s programmes in the Department of Electronic Engineering utilise our research-active staff in conjunction with state-of-the-art facilities. We provide a range of learning experiences – lectures, tutorials, directed study, practical laboratories and project work – that prepare graduates for their professional life.
Lectures, visits and dissertation projects are provided in association with a large number of expert clinical and industrial partners, including the Royal Marsden Hospital, GE Healthcare and the Royal Surrey County Hospital.
Assessment
Formal examinations take place in January/February and June. The pass mark is set at 50 per cent for each module, representing a combination of the formal examination and any associated coursework or lab marks. An overall average (aggregated over all of the assessed modules) in excess of 70 per cent achieves a Pass with Distinction.
Following the spring examinations, you will concentrate on your formal dissertation project. This may be based at the University in collaboration with a clinical or industrial partner, or may be actually based at a hospital or industrial site, usually within the UK.
Finally, your dissertation project will be assessed at a viva voce examination in late August/early September.
Facilities, equipment and support
To support your learning, we hold regular MSc group meetings where any aspect of the programme, technical or non-technical, can be discussed in an informal atmosphere. This allows you to raise any problems that you would like to have addressed and encourages peer-based learning and general group discussion.
We provide computing support with any specialised software required during the programme, for example, Matlab.
The Department’s student common room is also covered by the University’s open-access wireless network, which makes it a very popular location for individual and group work using laptops and mobile devices. There is also a Faculty quiet room for individual study.
We pride ourselves on the many opportunities that we provide to visit collaborating hospitals. These enable you to see first-hand demonstrations of medical imaging facilities and to benefit from lectures by professional practitioners.
To support material presented during the programme, you will also undertake a selection of ultrasound and radiation detection experiments, hosted by our sister MSc programme in Medical Physics.
Professional accreditation
As an IET-accredited institution, our programmes are countable under the continuing professional development (CPD) scheme. The MSc is also accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and as such can be used in partial fulfilment of the requirements for gaining Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
Your career
Graduates from the MSc have historically gone on to three main career destinations: academic research, leading to a PhD; the NHS or other non-UK national healthcare organisations as clinical scientists; careers in industrial research and development with leading equipment manufacturers or medical-related software companies.
Department links
Contact us
For general enquiries
0800 980 3200 or +44 (0)1483 681 681
For admissions enquiries
+44 (0)1483 686 069