Medical Imaging Sciences aims to provide graduates of chemistry, physics, computing, mathematics, biology, pharmacy or medicine, with advanced training in the imaging field. Intended mainly as preparation for a PhD, but also serves as training for employment in hospitals and industry. Key components are two research projects, which may be linked around different aspects of a single research area in medical imaging.
KEY BENEFITS
- MRC studentship funding available. Full scholarship includes tuition fees and a stipend of £15,897
- Access to state of the art preclinical and clinical imaging facilities.
- Two 4 month research projects within the Imaging Sciences’ Wellcome/EPSRC Medical Engineering Centre or CRUK/EPSRC Comprehensive Cancer Imaging Centre.
- Research facilities based within a hospital environment enabling basic imaging science to be translated quickly into the clinic.
- May constitute first year of a 4-year PhD.
- Located in the heart of London.
KEY FACTS
Student destinations
Expected destinations are study for PhD, employment (research or service) in the NHS and commercial nuclear medicine services, the pharmaceutical or medical engineering industry.
Programme leader/s
Professor Phil Blower; Dr Greg Mullen
Awarding Institution
King's College London
Credit value (UK/ECTS equivalent)
UK 180/ECTS 90
Duration
One year FT, September to September
Location
St Thomas Campus. Research projects may take place at other locations.
Year of entry 2013
Offered by
School of Medicine
Closing date
30 June 2013. Applications are considered on a first come first served basis and therefore you are advised to apply early.
Intake
Approximately 10 FT.
Fees
FT Home: £7900 (2013)
FT Overseas: £20600 (2013)
CONTACTS
Contact information
Hans-Jörg Küller Rabaça
Tel: 020 7188 7188 extn. 52503
Email
Website
PURPOSE
Medical imaging is a rapidly expanding field that needs input from team members with knowledge and skills in these different areas (chemistry, physics, computing, mathematics, biology, pharmacy, medicine) to achieve its promise in improving patient care. The aim of this MRes programme is to provide students who have graduated in any of these subject areas with advanced training to prepare them to apply their specialist graduate skills in the imaging field. The programme is intended mainly as a preparation for a PhD in the field, at King's or elsewhere, but it also serves as training for employment in hospitals and industry.
DESCRIPTION
Medical imaging is a rapidly developing field of growing importance both in patient management and clinical decision making and in drug development and evaluation. Dramatic developments in imaging both anatomy and molecular processes, especially using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Research and development in the field is highly multi-disciplinary with key roles played by computing scientists and mathematicians, chemists, pharmacists, physicists, biologists, and of course clinicians. The Division of Imaging Sciences hosts a multidisciplinary team of academics directing a wide range of cutting-edge research projects, with an emphasis on translation “from bench to bedside”.
Two thirds of this MRes programme consists of two medical imaging related research projects, which may be linked around different aspects of a single research area. The projects range from basic sciences to clinical evaluation and application. One third consists of taught modules totalling 60 credits. One of the taught modules is a compulsory introduction to the general area of medical imaging in all its forms; the other is an elective chosen from a range of specialist modules from the other masters programmes offered by the Division of Imaging Sciences: the MSc in Radiopharmaceutics & PET Radiochemistry, MSc in Medical Engineering and Physics, and the MSc in Nuclear Medicine Sciences.
STRUCTURE OVERVIEW
Core programme content
- Introduction to Medical Imaging Sciences
- Research Project 1
- Research Project 2.
Indicative non-core content
- Radiopharmacology (30 credits)
- Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry (30 credits)
- Cyclotron Engineering & Nuclear Chemistry (30 credits)
- Radiopharmaceutical & Regulatory Issues in Nuclear Medicine (15 credits)
- Scientific Basis of Nuclear Medicine (15 credits)
- Diagnostic Nuclear Oncology & Radionuclide Therapy (15 credits)
- Medical Imaging with Non-ionising Radiation (15 credits)
- Medical Imaging with Ionising Radiation (15 credits)
- Computational Methods in Medical Imaging (15 credits)
- Practical Neuroimaging (30 credits).
FORMAT AND ASSESSMENT
Taught modules are presented in a variety of formats, including lectures, workshops, laboratory practicals, site visits etc. Assessment is based on coursework and examination.
Both research projects are carried out under the supervision of academics within the Division’s five departments (Biomedical Engineering; Cancer Imaging; Cardiovascular Imaging; Imaging Chemistry and Biology and Perinatal Imaging and Health). Some research projects may take place in a collaborating laboratory elsewhere in King's or at a collaborating institution.
MODULES
More information on typical programme modules.
NB it cannot be guaranteed that all modules are offered in any particular academic year.
Module code: 7MIGEP14
Credit level: 7
- To provide the fundamentals of radiopharmaceutical science, nuclear chemistry and show its application in the design and formulation of radiopharmaceuticals
- To give an overview and appreciation of radiation dosimetry and hazards and their control
- To provide a fundamental understanding of current imaging modalities and functional, molecular and cellular imaging.
- To provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of research methods that are relevant to Imaging Sciences.
- To provide students with the necessary skills to critically appraise published literature on imaging research techniques and findings.
- To provide students with the skills and knowledge to appraise the latest advances in scientific scholarship and the needs of the community in the area of Imaging Sciences.
- To provide students with an understanding of the current regulatory framework required for translational imaging research
- To prepare a foundation for more detailed studies of radiopharmaceutics and radiochemistry topics for subsequent modules.
Module code: 7MIGEP16
Credit level: 7
Module code: 7MIGEP13
Credit level: 7
The aims of the module are to introduce students to the mathematical methods used in medical imaging, as well as to provide a collection of basic code, most likely in Matlab, which can be used to perform the main image reconstructions.
Module code: 7MISR04A
Credit level: 7
The aims of this course are to
- To explain the design and operation of cyclotrons and targets
- To explain the theory of nuclear reactions taking place in cyclotrons and nuclear reactors, and the decay processes of radionuclides
- To describe the production routes to key medical radionuclides
- To engender awareness of the importance of radiation protection and GMP issues
- To provide hands on experience of radionuclide production in a commercial or academic or hospital cyclotron
Module code: 7MIGMP04
Credit level: 7
This course provides students with an understanding of the basic principles of radionuclide therapy, radiation protection and radiation biology.
The course will include training in the protection requirements of clinical practice in thyroid cancer, neuro-endocrine tumours, bone metastases, benign joint disease, radio-immuno and radio-peptide therapy through a programme of lectures, tutorials and demonstrations. The students will acquire the knowledge necessary to undertake radionuclide therapy in a safe and appropriate manner.
Module code: 7MIGMP02
Credit level: 7
This course will describe the scientific basis of radiopharmacy and its application to nuclear medicine functions in the UK. Health and safety legislation and the regulatory bodies concerned with radioactive materials will also be covered. On completion of the course, students will have an understanding of the principles of radiopharmaceutical design, an appreciation of the practical aspects of radiopharmacy operation and a knowledge of regulatory control in nuclear medicine. Assessment is by written examination and coursework.
Module code: 7MISR03A
Credit level: 7
The aims of this course are:
- To show how positron, gamma and particle emitting radiopharmaceuticals are designed, synthesized and analysed, in relation to the properties of the radionuclide and the biological target
- To show how the components of radiopharmaceuticals (organic precursors, chelating agents, biological molecules especially proteins and peptides, radionuclides) are synthesized and analysed
- To provide detailed knowledge of the analytical methods used to characterize precursors and radiopharmaceuticals in terms of structure, labelling efficiency, stability
- To provide opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the above synthetic and analytical methods
- To show the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve advances in radiopharmaceutical design and clinical use
- To engender an appreciation of the importance of Good Manufacturing Practice in the production of radiopharmaceuticals
- To illustrate the R&D process leading to clinical application of radiopharmaceuticals
- To encourage literature searching and literature awareness
Module code: 7MISR03B
Credit level: 7
The aims of this course are to:
- To show how positron, gamma and particle emitting radiopharmaceuticals are designed, synthesized and analysed, in relation to the properties of the radionuclide and the biological target;
- To show how radiopharmaceuticals are formulated, radiolabelled and analysed;
- To provide detailed knowledge of the analytical methods used to characterize radiopharmaceuticals in terms of purity, labelling efficiency, stability;
- To provide opportunity to gain hands-on experience with radio analytical methods;
- To show the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve advances in radiopharmaceutical design and clinical use;
- To deliver a detailed theoretical and practical knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice in the production of radiopharmaceuticals;
- To encourage literature searching and awareness.
Module code: 7MISR04B
Credit level: 7
- To provide knowledge of specific classes of radiopharmaceuticals in clinical use
- To engender interdisciplinary awareness through a series of case studies of the development of selected examples of radiopharmaceuticals from all viewpoints (medical need, biology, physics, chemistry, GMP, radiation protection, patient, cost etc.)
- To exemplify principles taught in Radiopharmacology modules using specific detailed cases
- To provide hands on experience of radiopharmacy work using a work placement in a conventional hospital radiopharmacy
Module code: 7MISPR02
Credit level: 7
The aim of the course is:
- To provide the fundamental principles of radiopharmacology and show their application in the design and formulation of radiopharmaceuticals
- To give an understanding of the biological effects of ionising radiation
- To give an understanding of current research and strategies employed in transport & targeting of radiopharmaceuticals (ADME)
- To provide a rational understanding of radiation dosimetry formalisms and computation methods
- To explore the relations between radiation physics & biology and their practitioners
- To provide an introduction to experimental methods: in vitro and in vivo
- To survey current applications of radiopharmaceuticals and radiotracers in biological & drug research
Module code: 7MIGMP03
Credit level: 7
Assessment:
written examination/s; coursework;
This course will describe the scientific basis of nuclear medicine and its practical application to nuclear medicine. It will also cover the equipment used, statistical methods and the role of computing in the acquisition, processing, display and communication of nuclear medicine studies. On completion of the course, students will have a strong scientific base for the understanding of the practical aspects of nuclear medicine. Assessment is by written examination and coursework.
ACADEMIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
General entry advice
Students must have a first class or high 2:1 BSc (honours) degree or overseas equivalent in a life sciences or physical sciences degree. MBBS students may also enter this programme interrupting their medical degree and therefore have already met their host institution's entry requirements. MBBS students can be admitted at any time following the third year of their programme. Immediately post-year three: entry is based on year three performance. Advanced years (four to five): students must complete their current year of study. External students need to obtain permission from their own medical school and provide evidence of their exam performance in the pre-clinical examinations.
APPLYING TO KING'S
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete our graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.
King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form as applications must be made online. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications are considered on a first come first served basis and therefore you are advised to apply early.
PERSONAL STATEMENT & SUPPORTING INFORMATION
No information required.
FUNDING
MRC Scholarships are available for this programme on a competitive basis. Funding can include tuition fees as well as living costs.
To be considered for funding the application deadline is 31st March 2013
Shortlisted applications may be required to attend an interview.
The full scholarship includes tuition fees and a stipend of £15,897
Partial Scholarship tuition fees only
Student profiles
Medical Imaging Sciences MResI started the MRes in Medical Imaging Sciences at King's in 2010. Having studied Chemistry as an undergraduate in Germany and Medical Physics as a postgraduate in Australia, I wanted to specialise in Medical Imaging but at the same time gain substantial experience in cutting edge research. For my optional modules I chose MRI & Ultrasound Physics and Computational Methods in Medical Imaging. Both my research projects were NMR based, with the first one studying radiofrequency pulse sequences for MRI and the development of a simulation tool. In my second project I was looking at metabolic pathways in the heart of molecules that contained hyperpolarised carbon-13 using NMR spectroscopy. What I especially like about this programme is that regardless of one's scientific background, be it in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine or Engineering, the course content can be tailored to one's personal preferences through a wide variety of optional modules and the whole spectrum of Medical Imaging research available for projects at the Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering as well as other divisions and departments within the College.
But King's is not just an excellent University; it also has a lot to offer outside the classroom. I joined the KCL Tennis Club and participate in weekly social tennis sessions and regular matches against other London Universities. I also signed up for Ballroom and Latin dance classes at the KCL Dance Society and participated in the annual KCL dance show. All clubs and societies at King's organise regular socials that makes it easy for new students to meet other students and socialise. The huge variety of sport clubs and societies at King's and the University of London Union, which KCL is part of, guarantees there is something for everybody.
At the moment I am doing a PhD at the Division of Imaging Sciences & Biomedical Engineering working on a European Union project that is trying to develop new multifunctional nanoparticles that specifically target breast and pancreatic cancer cells with the goal to be able to image these cancers with MRI at an early disease stage and the specific elimination of cancer cells through magnetic heating. When I started at King's I wasn't sure which career path to choose after finishing my programme. But the great support I received from supervisors and fellow students and the stimulating academic environment made me confident that I can pursue a career in research.