Master of Molecular Imaging

Molecular imaging is a sophisticated form of biomedical imaging, which is rapidly growing in importance in the applied life sciences. The key technologies for imaging molecular events in humans and animal models of human disease are positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These technologies are continually evolving as scientists and engineers develop new imaging probes, instrumentation and computational algorithms and find new applications for the technology in biomedical research and the biotechnology sector.

This course will prepare graduates to take their place as members and ultimately leaders, of multidisciplinary teams that advance these technologies beyond their current capabilities to meet the future challenges in biomedicine. As such, the course will extend their capacities for problem solving and independent critical analysis. They will gain deep insights into the design of molecular probes (i.e. radiopharmaceuticals and contrast agents) to image gene, protein and cell function in health and disease, the physical principles of the key imaging technologies and their current and future applications in the life sciences.

The course comprises a research pathway and an industry pathway. In the first part of the course, which is common to both pathways, students explore the design of molecular probes to image gene, protein and cell function in health and disease, the physical principles of the key imaging technologies and the correlates of imaging and disease. In the second part of the course, students may choose to follow a research pathway, which provides an ideal platform for entry to Ph.D. research, or an industry pathway, which explores in greater depth the role of molecular imaging in the biotechnology industry.

Table 13.7: Master of Molecular Imaging

Medical Radiation Sciences electives

Course rules