This area combines knowledge of unique physical properties of electromagnetic and acoustic energy with high-speed electronic data processing, signal analysis and rapid display to generate an image of a body part or, more recently, of a bodily function. Often, these images can be obtained with minimal or completely noninvasive procedures, making them less painful and more readily repeatable than invasive techniques. Moreover, many of the devices require no ionizing radiation doses thereby lessening the danger of secondarly radiation effects on the patient. The students learn the theoretical bases underlying the common forms of medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized axial tomography scanning (CAT-scan), positron emission tomography (PET), and the limitations and the applicability of such techniques.

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