MRAD 3870 Ultrasound Physics

Principles of sound wave propagation, transducer operation, and image formation in sonography.

Course overview

This course introduces the physics behind medical ultrasound imaging. You will learn how sound waves travel through the body, how transducers create and receive echoes, and how the scanner turns those signals into the images sonographers use every day. The focus is on the physical principles that govern image quality, resolution, and safety.

Who takes this course

MRAD 3870 is an elective course. It is open to students in the Medical Laboratory Technology and Medical Radiation Technology programs who want a deeper understanding of imaging modalities beyond radiation-based techniques.

Credits: 1.5 · Hours: 30

Prerequisites

None

Learning outcomes

• Explain the physical principles of sound wave propagation in soft tissue.
• Describe the construction and operation of piezoelectric transducers.
• Analyze image formation and the factors that affect spatial resolution.
• Identify common artifacts in diagnostic ultrasound and explain their causes.

Evaluation