Academic Calendar 2013 Search Office of the Registrar Western Homepage
Academic Calendar 2013 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Medical Biophysics (M)
INTRODUCTION
UNDERGRADUATE SESSIONAL DATES
STUDENT SERVICES
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES
FACULTIES
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION
FACULTY MEMBERS
AFFILIATED UNIVERSITY COLLEGES
GLOSSARY
NEW MODULES/PROGRAMS
FIRST YEAR UPDATES
TABLE OF CONTENTS




Medical Biophysics (M)
Medical Biophysics 3330F/G - Human Biomechanics with Biomedical Applications
The mechanical properties of biological structures and fluids in relation to function: deformability, strength, and visco-elasticity of hard and soft tissues, modes of loading and failure. Special topics include mechanics of synovial joints, mechanics of hearing, and mechanics of orthopedic implants and joint replacement.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): One of Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B, Mathematics 1225A/B, Applied Mathematics 1413, or the former Calculus 1100A/B; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Typically taken in third year, this course is also open to second-year students with an overall average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 2 laboratory/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3336F/G - Human & Animal Interactions with the Physical Environment
Examination of the physical processes in the environment that affect life, and physical processes in animals and man that enable them to survive. Topics include pressure, temperature, light, gravity, sound, ionizing and nonionizing radiation. Special topics: heat exchange, vision and hearing, altitude and diving, the space environment, and radiation tolerance.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): One of Biology 1001A or 1201A and one of Biology 1002B or 1202B, or the former Biology 1222 or 1223; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Typically taken in third year, this course is also open to second-year students with an overall average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s): Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B or the former 1100A/B plus one of Calculus 1301A/B or 1501A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1413.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3501F - Biophysics of Transport Systems
The physics of blood flow and vascular mechanics in the microcirculation and large vessels, surface energy and interactions at biological interfaces such as the lung, diffusive and convective transport and exchange.
Antirequisite(s): The former Medical Biophysics 3302E.
Prerequisite(s): One of Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B, Mathematics 1225A/B, Applied Mathematics 1413, or the former Calculus 1100A/B; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Typically taken in third year, this course is also open to second-year students with an overall average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3503G - Fundamentals of Digital Imaging
Concepts of images relevant to all imaging modalities. Image formation and capture including digital cameras and the eye, pixels, aliasing, resolution, contrast, sensitivity, specificity, ROC, window/level, dynamic range, RGB, spectroscopy. Image compression and quality, quantitative analysis based on imaging software and principles of quantitative stereology.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B or the former 1100A/B plus one of Calculus 1301A/B or 1501A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1413; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Typically taken in third year, this course is also open to second-year students with an average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3505F - Mathematical Transform Applications in Medical Biophysics
The role of mathematical tranforms in biomedical research. Application of Fourier Transforms for imaging and image analysis. Applications of systems analysis and Laplace Transforms to model complex systems, and of linear time-invariant systems and kinetic models to analyze physiological processes.
Antirequisite(s): The former Medical Biophysics 3303E.
Prerequisite(s): One of Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B or the former 1100A/B plus one of Calculus 1301A/B or 1501A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1413; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Although typically taken in third year, this course is available to second-year students with an overall average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3507G - Analysis of Oxygen Transport in Biological Systems
The application of physics and mathematics for modeling oxygen transport. Emphasis on problem solving and simple MATLAB computer models for enhancing the students’ interpretation of analytical solutions. Topics include the Krogh-Erlang capillary model, microvascular blood flow, oxygen diffusion in thin tissues and tumors, and finite difference models in unsteady-state systems.
Antirequisite(s): The former Medical Biophysics 3303E.
Prerequisite(s): One of Calculus 1000A/B, 1500A/B or the former 1100A/B plus one of Calculus 1301A/B or 1501A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1413; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, and one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026.  Although typically taken in third year, this course is available to second-year students with an overall average of at least 70% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 2 laboratory/tutorial hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3645A/B - Introduction to Biomedical Optics
An introduction to the physical and biophysical principles underlying the methodology and technology for the medical uses of light including diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Specific areas will include: instrumentation which involves light detection and analysis, light spectroscopy which involves photodynamic therapy and diffuse optical tomography and optical imaging.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): One of Calculus 1000A/B or 1500A/B or the former 1100A/B plus one of Calculus 1301A/B or 1501A/B, or Applied Mathematics 1413; one of Physics 1028A/B, 1301A/B, 1401A/B or 1501A/B, plus one of Physics 1029A/B, 1302A/B, 1402A/B or 1502A/B, or one of the former Physics 1020, 1024 or 1026. Although typically taken in third year, this course is open to second-year students with a minimum average of 75% in first year.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course
back to top
Medical Biophysics 3970Z - General Biophysics Laboratory
Intended primarily for students in Honors Specialization and Major modules in Medical Biophysics. Laboratories include topics from biomechanics (mechanical properties of arteries and bone), imaging (quantitative stereology, optical CT), biophysical analysis (diffusion and washout models), and transport systems (cardiovascular fluid dynamics). Includes an individual 6-week project in a research laboratory.
Antirequisite(s): The former Medical Biophysics 3302E.
Prerequisite(s):
Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 laboratory hours (3 laboratory hours every other week and up to 3 tutorial hours, at the instructor's discretion, in alternate weeks).
0.5 course spanning both the Fall and Winter terms.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4445A/B - Digital Imaging Processing
An introduction to the fundamentals of digital image processing including image representation, 2D linear systems theory and Fourier analysis, digital filtering and segmentation. Concentrates on practical techniques through an exposure to image processing applications in industry, science and medicine and assignments based on MATLAB numeric computation and visualization environments.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3503G or the former Medical Biophysics 3302E; Medical Biophysics 3505F and 3507G, or the former Medical Biophysics 3303E; Calculus 2303A/B or 2503A/B; Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B, or 1.0 course from the former Medical Biophysics 2128A/B and 2129A/B or the former Physics 2128A/B and 2129A/B, or permission of the department.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4455A/B - Biological Control Systems
An introduction to linear systems and control theory as applied to organ system regulation and adaptation. Emphasis is placed on biophysical models of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, and interactions with medical devices.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3501F or the former Medical Biophysics 3302E; Medical Biophysics 3505F or the former Medical Biophysics 3303E; or permission of the department
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4467A/B - Radiation Biology with Biomedical Applications
Nature and effects of ionizing radiation on biomolecular structures, living cells and tissues. Genetic effects and methods of radiation protection. Radiobiological implications of diagnostic and therapeutic radiation.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3501F or the former Medical Biophysics 3302E; one of Medical Biophysics 3507G or Physics 2101A/B or 2102A/B, or the former Medical Biophysics 2128A/B and 2129A/B or the former Physics 2128A/B and 2129A/B; or permission of the department.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4475A/B - Medical Imaging
Physical principles underlying medical imaging. Modalities covered: x-rays, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, ultra-sound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Topics include signal generation, detection and the associated mathematics to produce medically useful images, and factors affecting resolution and sensitivity.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3503G or the former Medical Biophysics 3302E; Medical Biophysics 3505F and 3507G, or the former Medical Biophysics 3303E; Physics 2101A/B and 2102A/B, or 1.0 course from the former Medical Biophysics 2128A/B and 2129A/B or the former Physics 2128A/B and 2129A/B, or permission of the department.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4535A/B - Hemodynamics
Biophysics related to blood flow: Biomechanical properties of blood, heart, arteries, and veins; pressure, flow, and Poiseulle's law; optimality principles; fluid flow conservation laws and their mathematical description; pulsatile flow in rigid vessels; wave propagation in elastic vessels; structure and blood rheology of the microcirculation; oxygen delivery and flow regulation.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3501F and 3503G, or the former Medical Biophysics 3302E; Medical Biophysics 3505F and 3507G, or the former Medical Biophysics 3303E; or permission of the department.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4600A/B - Special Topics in Medical Biophysics
Selected topics of current interest in Medical Biophysics.
Antirequisite(s):
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Department of Medical Biophysics.
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 3 lecture hours, 0.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4970E - Research Project in Biophysics
Major laboratory course in experimental biophysics for students registered in an Honors Specialization Medical Biophysics (Medical Science or Physical Science Concentration). The three components are: a major experimental project (topic and advisor chosen in consultation with the student), scientific communication (student presentation and reports), and electronic information processing (data capture, computer analysis of biophysical signals).
Antirequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 4971E.
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3970Z and registration in Year 4 of one of the following Honors Specialization modules: Medical Biophysics (Medical Science Concentration), Medical Biophysics (Physical Science Concentration), or Medical Biophysics (Biological Science Concentration).
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 15 hours weekly on average, 1.5 course.
back to top
Medical Biophysics 4971E - Research Project in Biophysics (Clinical Physics Concentration)
Major laboratory course in experimental biophysics for fourth-year Honors Specialization Medical Biophysics (Clinical Physics Concentration). The three components are: a major experimental project related to Clinical Physics (topic and advisor chosen in consultation with the student), scientific communication (student presentation and reports), and electronic information processing (data capture, computer analysis of biophysical signals).
Antirequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 4970E.
Prerequisite(s): Medical Biophysics 3970Z and registration in Year 4 of an Honors Specialization in Medical Biophysics (Clinical Physics Concentration).
Corequisite(s):
Pre-or Corequisite(s):
Extra Information: 15 hours weekly on average, 1.5 course.
back to top
Academic Calendar 2013 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE INFORMATION Medical Biophysics (M)
Decision Academic