Learning By Doing

Undergraduate Program


Undergrad Courses

 

Courses Offered in Medical Biophysics
3330F/G 3336F/G 3501F 3503G   3505F
3507G 3970Z 4445A/B 4455A/B 4467A/B
4475A/B 4535A/B 4600A/B 4970E 4971E

 
MEDBIO 3330F/G Human & Animal Biomechanics:
The mechanical properties of biological structures and fluids in relation to function: deformability, strength, and visco-elasticity of hard and flexible tissues, modes of loading and failure. Special topics include mechanics of synovial joints, concussion and head injuries, and mechanics of orthopedic implants and joint replacement.
MEDBIO 3336F/G Human & Animal Interactions with the Physical Environment:
Examination of the physical processes in the environment that affect life, and physical processes in animals and man that enable them to survive. Topics include pressure, temperature, light, gravity, sound, ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Special topics: heat exchange, vision and hearing, altitude and diving, the space environment, and radiation tolerance.
MEDBIO 3501F Biophysics of Transport Systems:
The physics of blood flow and vascular mechanics in the microcirculation and large vessels, surface energy and interactions at biological interfaces such as the lung, diffusive and convective transport and exchange.
MEDBIO 3503G
 Fundamentals of Digital Imaging:
Concepts of images relevant to all imaging modalities. Image formation and capture including digital cameras and the eye, pixels, aliasing, resolution, contrast, sensitivity, specificity, ROC, window/level, dynamic range, RGB, spectroscopy. Image compression and quality, quantitative analysis based on imaging software and principles of quantitative stereology.

MEDBIO 3505F		 Mathematical Transform Applications in Medical Biophysics:
The role of mathematical transforms in biomedical research. Application of Fourier Transforms for imaging and image analysis. Applications of systems analysis and Laplace Transforms to model complex systems, and of linear time-invariant systems and kinetic models to analyze physiological processes.
MEDBIO 3507G Analysis of Oxygen Transport in Biological Systems:
The application of physics and mathematics for modeling oxygen transport. Emphasis on problem solving and simple MATLAB computer models for enhancing the students' interpretation of analytical solutions. Topics include the Krogh-Erlang capillary model, microvascular blood flow, oxygen diffusion in thin tissues and tumors, and finite difference models in unsteady-state systems.
MEDBIO 3970Z General Biophysics Laboratory:
Intended primarily for students in Honors Specialization and Major modules in Medical Biophysics. Laboratories include topics from biomechanics (mechanical properties of arteries and bone), imaging (quantitative stereology, optical CT), biophysical analysis (diffusion and washout models), and transport systems (cardiovascular fluid dynamics). Includes an individual 6-week project in a research laboratory.
MEDBIO 4445A/B Digital Image Processing:
Covers the fundamentals of digital image processing including image representation, 2D linear systems theory and Fourier analysis, digital filtering and segmentation. Focus is on software implementation.
MEDBIO 4455A/B Biological Control Systems:
An introduction to linear systems and control theory as applied to organ system regulation and adaptation. Emphasis is placed on biophysical models of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and interactions with medical devices. (A systems engineering approach to biophysical problems.)
MEDBIO 4467A/B Radiobiology and Radionuclides:
Nature and effects of ionizing radiation on biomolecular structures and living cells, applied radiobiology and radionuclides. Genetic effects of ionizing radiation and methods of protection.
MEDBIO 4475A/B Medical Imaging:
Physical principles underlying medical imaging. Modalities covered: x-rays, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, ultra-sound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Topics include signal generation, detection and the associated mathematics to produce medically useful images, and factors affecting resolution and sensitivity.
MEDBIO 4535A/B Hemodynamics:
Fundamentals of steady and pulsatile blood flow in tubes and blood vessels. Hemodynamic models and the role of non-dimensional parameters. Measurement of pressure, flow velocity and distribution. Characteristics of flow in large and small blood vessels: geometric factors, measurement techniques and physical alteration of flow by disease.
MEDBIO 4600A/B Special Topics in Medical Biophysics:
Selected topics of current interest in Medical Biophysics.
MEDBIO 4970E Project in Medical Biophysics:
Major laboratory course in experimental biophysics for fourth-year Honors or Honors Specialization Medical Biophysics. The three components are: a major experimental project (topic and advisor chosen in consultation with the student), scientific communication (student presentation and reports), and electronic information processing (data capture, computer analysis of biophysical signals).
MEDBIO 4971E Project in Medical Biophysics (Clinical Project - new course):
Major laboratory course in experimental biophysics for fourth-year Honors or Honors Specialization Medical Biophysics. The three components are: a major experimental project (Clinical topic and advisor chosen in consultation with the student), scientific communication (student presentation and reports), and electronic information processing (data capture, computer analysis of biophysical signals).

Department of Medical Biophysics - Learning through Research