Below is a sample from a Physics Unit of the curriculum. The curriculum contains 9 Physics Units, including Principles of Magnetism and Electromagnetism; MRI System Hardware; MRI artifacts; and MRI pulse sequences.

Each Unit contains:

Reading assignments

Up to 60 learning objectives. The learning objectives focus the student's learning on the most important and clinically applicable points in the reading assignments.

Answer key to the learning objectives

A 20-60 question exam

Answer key to the exam, with textbook page references.

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Nuclear Magnetism

Introduction: The interaction between the atomic nucleus and the static magnetic, gradient magnetic, and RF fields of an MRI imager are the basis for MRI. This unit discusses the atomic structure, especially the nucleus and its properties that are of specific interest to MRI. The concepts of net magnetization, precession, and resonance are critical to understanding MRI physics.

Independent Study Hours: Completion of the required assignments and unit objectives will require approximately 8 ½ hours of independent study.

Methods of Evaluation: A Unit Exam will be used to evaluate your knowledge. The Unit Exam will be based on the Unit Learning Objectives.

Learning Steps:

_____ 1. Read Unit Learning Objectives

_____ 2. Read & Study All You Really Need to Know About MRI Physics Chapter 2, Basic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

_____ 3. Read & Study MRI in Practice Chapter 1, Basic Principles

_____ 4. Read & Study Unit Supplemental Notes

_____ 5. Complete Objectives Direct any questions about specific objectives to instructor.

_____6. Take Unit Exam Schedule date and time with instructor. Exam based on all unit learning objectives.

Unit Learning Objectives: At the completion of this unit, you should be able to…

1. define the following terms as they apply to nuclear magnetism in the MRI environment:
a. quantum mechanical description.
b. classical mechanical description.
c. nuclear magnetic moment.
d. net magnetization.
e. precession.

2. identify the 3 subatomic particles that make up an atom, and their associated electrical charges.

3. identify the 2 subatomic particles that make up an atomic nucleus.

4. identify the subatomic particle that plays the biggest role in MRI signal formation.

5. explain the relationship between the number of protons in an atomic nucleus and the magnetic moment of the nucleus.

6. identify the element that is imaged in clinical MRI.

7. identify 2 reasons that hydrogen is imaged in clinical MRI.

8. identify the energy states possible for a hydrogen atom in a static magnetic field.

9. explain the relationship between high and low energy states and parallel and antiparallel orientation to an external magnetic field.

10. explain the orientations of atomic nuclei in the presence and absence of an external static magnetic field.

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