Bioimaging Sciences

Bioimaging Science has played a vital role in improving human life.  The development of a wide range of imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound and optical imaging are nowadays important tools for the early detection of disease, understanding basic molecular aspects of living organisms and the evaluation of medical treatment. 

A one year (full-time) stand-alone multidisciplinary MRes course that equips students with all the fundamentals of modern imaging methodologies – including their techniques and application within medicine and the pharmaceutical industry, along with the Chemistry behind imaging agents, drugs and biomarkers. The course content consists of a nine-month interdisciplinary research project, taught lecture modules on elementary and advanced aspects of bioimaging techniques and applications, specialist lectures in transferable skills, literature review on an image-related topic and group project work.

The course consists of a nine-month interdisciplinary research project, taught lecture modules on elementary and advanced aspects of imaging techniques and applications, specialist lectures in transferable skills, a literature review on an imaging-related topic, group project work and workshops on the latest developments of imaging science.

The science-based course content covers the following broad topics:

• Design of probes for imaging
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Optical imaging
• Image computation
• Ultrasound and microwave
• Introduction to cell biology and biochemistry
• Pharmacology of imaging

The transferable skills components include safety awareness, intellectual property management, time and project management, presentation and communication skills.

Academic requirement: 2:1 degree or higher in a science, technology, engineering or medicine subject from a UK institution or an equivalent overseas qualification.

A number of fully-funded MRC scholarships (Covers full fees plus a bursary of over £15,000pa) are available for home students (UK nationals and non-UK nationals who have lived continuously in the UK for the past three years).  These scholarships cover tuition fees and a bursary (paid on a monthly basis) for the duration of the course.  For more information including eligibility (which is specifed by the MRC), please contact the course directors: Dr Phil Miller (philip. miller@imperial.ac.uk) or Professor Ramon Vilar (r.vilar@i mperial.ac.uk).