Dear Delegates, 

It is my pleasure to welcome everybody to Dundee for the 2022 ERASMUS Basic MRI Physics course.  We hope you have a great stay in Scotland.

During the forthcoming week we look forward to immersing you into the wonderful world of MR Physics.  It is no secret that it can be a challenging subject to grasp at times, but the course is designed to build upon topics from lecture to lecture as the week progresses – and no previous knowledge of MR physics is assumed.  By the end of the week our aim is to ensure that you have a solid understanding of the physical principles that underpin clinical MRI.

The full programme is included with the online material, but in summary the meeting commences with a refresher on the basic mathematical techniques used to explain the process of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).  With this knowledge an overview of the phenomenon of NMR is then introduced, along with methods of spatial encoding that are used to form the images.  Over the middle part of the course (days 2 and 3) the concept of pulse sequences is explained – with lectures illustrating the basic physics of spin echo, gradient echo and inversion recovery.  The formation of soft tissue contrast associated with these pulse sequences is discussed, and examples of these techniques applied to clinical practice are presented.  Certain fundamental limitations associated with MR are also highlighted – for example the relationship between the scan time, signal-to-noise ratio and the spatial resolution, and also the presence of MR artefacts (and how to avoid them).  As the meeting draws to a close (days 4 and 5) some slightly more complex MR techniques are described, although always with an emphasis on ensuring delivery of the material in an accessible manner.  Examples of these include fast imaging, flow, MR angiography, diffusion, perfusion, functional MRI, and MR spectroscopy.  An up-to-date overview of aspects of MR safety will also be presented.  At the end of the course, a certificate with an award of 32 European CME credits will be provided, if you have attended for the full duration.  Additionally, a short examination will be set on the final day and a certificate will be issued to all delegates upon successful completion of this exam.

In addition to the work schedule,  I do hope that you will join us for the two major social engagements of the week – the opening reception on Monday evening and the course social dinner on Wednesday evening.  We will hopefully find time to sample a wee dram or two along the way.

Finally I’d like to express my thanks to the 2022 Faculty involved in the running of the course.  Your input is, as always, very much appreciated.