CSN025 Principles of Medical Ultrasound
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSN025 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CSN025 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
The field of medical ultrasound is scientifically based in an environment that is rapidly changing and undergoing considerable technological advancement. Understanding the physical processes of ultrasound, the equipment design features and the interactions of sound in human tissue are essential for professionals working in this field. This unit is offered as a foundation unit early in the program to ensure you have a fundamental understanding of the physical principles of ultrasound; the knowledge gained can then be applied directly to practice and to other units offered in the ultrasound courses.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply the physical principles of ultrasound - tissue interactions to explain the production of diagnostic quality ultrasound images.
- Explain the components and performance controls of modern ultrasound equipment and their impact on imaging quality.
- Investigate current ultrasound technologies and justify their application in medical ultrasound diagnosis.
- Apply problem solving and specialised quality control skills to understand and minimise sources of artifacts and the potential for bioeffects when using diagnostic ultrasound equipment.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas:
- Sound-tissue interactions, Time Gain Compensation
- Basic transducer design, bandwidth and intensity
- Beam profile and focusing
- Pulse/echo imaging, A -mode, B - mode, M-mode, line density
- Resolution
- Acoustic windows, Real-time transducers
- Signal pathways, Scan converters
- Signal processing, pre and post-procession techniques
- Harmonics, Biological effects
- Artifacts
- Quality control and Future developments
- Introduction to Doppler
Learning Approaches
The unit is delivered online via QUT's Learning management system (LMS). It combines online lectures and example problem sets for self-paced learning. Real-world examples within the unit content combined with authentic problem-based exercises support your learning and will develop your knowledge of ultrasound principles which can apply to your day-to-day practice. Themed online discussions and guided screencasts support lecture material, encouraging you to develop a deeper understanding of the material.
Details of how to access additional support for learning in maths is provided early in the semester via the student support group. The QUT library also provides academic support and training to students throughout the semester via drop-in sessions.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative and Summative feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Automated feedback is provided on practice exams and example problem-solving task. Feedback will aim to provide you with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions to best prepare you for key summative assessments.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will complete two summative assessments: a workbook completed during semester and the end-of-semester examination. Each assessment is staged to scaffold your learning as your progress through the unit content.
Formative assessment is via example problem sets published on the unit site as well as interaction with classmates and teaching staff via the unit discussion board.
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Unit Workbook
Taking on the role of a diagnostic sonographer, you will complete a workbook of scenario-based problems. Your response should include details of your analysis, calculations and interpretation of data. You will communicate your proposed solutions including an explanation of the interactions of ultrasound within the human body and how these can be adapted to optimise image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Your responses should be written for sonographic colleagues and may include references to how your proposed approaches reflect evidence-based best practice.
Assessment: Examination
(Summative) - Examination combining MCQ, short answers and essay-type questions.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply for this assessment task. Therefore you must achieve 50% or better for this assessment task to receive a passing grade for this unit. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment task, you can make one resubmission of this work only when the achieved mark/grade is at least 40%. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator before resubmission.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Kremkau, F.W. (2015). Sonography: Principles and Instruments (9th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier - Health Sciences. ISBN : 9780323322713
Gill, R. (2020). The Physics and Technology of Diagnostic Ultrasound: A Practitioner's Guide (2nd ed.) High-Frequency Publishing. ISBN: 9780987292186
Gill, R. (2020). The Physics and Technology of Diagnostic Ultrasound: Study Guide (2nd ed.) High-Frequency Publishing. ISBN: 9780987292193
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS60 Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
- Apply specialist scientific and digital knowledge of the principles and techniques of medical ultrasound.
Relates to: Unit Workbook, Examination - Communicate complex diagnostic information effectively using oral, written and digital formats responsive to the clinical and cultural needs of diverse patients, interprofessional health teams and community.
Relates to: Examination
CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Apply advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and techniques of cardiac ultrasound digital imaging, anatomy and pathology.
Relates to: Unit Workbook, Examination - Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Relates to: Examination
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CSN025 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
The field of medical ultrasound is scientifically based in an environment that is rapidly changing and undergoing considerable technological advancement. Understanding the physical processes of ultrasound, the equipment design features and the interactions of sound in human tissue are essential for professionals working in this field. This unit is offered as a foundation unit early in the program to ensure you have a fundamental understanding of the physical principles of ultrasound; the knowledge gained can then be applied directly to practice and to other units offered in the ultrasound courses.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply the physical principles of ultrasound - tissue interactions to explain the production of diagnostic quality ultrasound images.
- Explain the components and performance controls of modern ultrasound equipment and their impact on imaging quality.
- Investigate current ultrasound technologies and justify their application in medical ultrasound diagnosis.
- Apply problem solving and specialised quality control skills to understand and minimise sources of artifacts and the potential for bioeffects when using diagnostic ultrasound equipment.
Content
The unit covers the following topic areas:
- Sound-tissue interactions, Time Gain Compensation
- Basic transducer design, bandwidth and intensity
- Beam profile and focusing
- Pulse/echo imaging, A -mode, B - mode, M-mode, line density
- Resolution
- Acoustic windows, Real-time transducers
- Signal pathways, Scan converters
- Signal processing, pre and post-procession techniques
- Harmonics, Biological effects
- Artifacts
- Quality control and Future developments
- Introduction to Doppler
Learning Approaches
The unit is delivered online via QUT's Learning management system (LMS). It combines online lectures and example problem sets for self-paced learning. Real-world examples within the unit content combined with authentic problem-based exercises support your learning and will develop your knowledge of ultrasound principles which can apply to your day-to-day practice. Themed online discussions and guided screencasts support lecture material, encouraging you to develop a deeper understanding of the material.
Details of how to access additional support for learning in maths is provided early in the semester via the student support group. The QUT library also provides academic support and training to students throughout the semester via drop-in sessions.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Formative and Summative feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Automated feedback is provided on practice exams and example problem-solving task. Feedback will aim to provide you with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions to best prepare you for key summative assessments.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will complete two summative assessments: a workbook completed during semester and the end-of-semester examination. Each assessment is staged to scaffold your learning as your progress through the unit content.
Formative assessment is via example problem sets published on the unit site as well as interaction with classmates and teaching staff via the unit discussion board.
In this unit, for you to be eligible to receive a passing grade, threshold assessment conditions apply.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Unit Workbook
Taking on the role of a diagnostic sonographer, you will complete a workbook of scenario-based problems. Your response should include details of your analysis, calculations and interpretation of data. You will communicate your proposed solutions including an explanation of the interactions of ultrasound within the human body and how these can be adapted to optimise image quality and diagnostic accuracy. Your responses should be written for sonographic colleagues and may include references to how your proposed approaches reflect evidence-based best practice.
Assessment: Examination
(Summative) - Examination combining MCQ, short answers and essay-type questions.
Threshold Assessment:
Threshold conditions apply for this assessment task. Therefore you must achieve 50% or better for this assessment task to receive a passing grade for this unit. If you do not achieve the pass level for this assessment task, you can make one resubmission of this work only when the achieved mark/grade is at least 40%. You are advised to seek feedback on your submission from the unit coordinator before resubmission.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Kremkau, F.W. (2015). Sonography: Principles and Instruments (9th ed.). St Louis: Elsevier - Health Sciences. ISBN : 9780323322713
Gill, R. (2020). The Physics and Technology of Diagnostic Ultrasound: A Practitioner's Guide (2nd ed.) High-Frequency Publishing. ISBN: 9780987292186
Gill, R. (2020). The Physics and Technology of Diagnostic Ultrasound: Study Guide (2nd ed.) High-Frequency Publishing. ISBN: 9780987292193
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS60 Graduate Diploma in Medical Ultrasound
- Apply specialist scientific and digital knowledge of the principles and techniques of medical ultrasound.
Relates to: Unit Workbook, Examination - Communicate complex diagnostic information effectively using oral, written and digital formats responsive to the clinical and cultural needs of diverse patients, interprofessional health teams and community.
Relates to: Examination
CS61 Graduate Diploma in Cardiac Ultrasound
- Apply advanced specialist knowledge of the principles and techniques of cardiac ultrasound digital imaging, anatomy and pathology.
Relates to: Unit Workbook, Examination - Communicate effectively with peers and multidisciplinary health professionals to explore the diagnostic value and limitations of cardiac ultrasound imaging.
Relates to: Examination