BME 386The Physics of Medical Imaging

Units: 0.50
Faculty: Engineering
Subject: Biomedical Engineering

When it runs

Ran in 5 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental principles governing the interaction of electromagnetic and mechanical waves with matter, encompassing essential concepts in electricity, magnetism, and optics. Building on this foundational knowledge, students will delve into the theories and applications of various medical imaging technologies, including X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (sonography), and optical microscopy techniques. The course will also discuss how these basic physical principles underpin and facilitate advancements in medical imaging.

Prerequisites

Complete all of the following
- Students must be in level 3B or higher
- Enrolled in H-Biomedical Engineering

Antirequisites

Not completed nor concurrently enrolled in any of the following:
- SYDE283 - Physics 3: Electricity, Magnetism and Optics (0.50)

Leads to

BME 581

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
Section	Class	Enrolled	Meets
LEC 001	4910	82 / 85	MW 15:30–16:50
TUT 101	4911	82 / 85	M 14:30–15:20

Reviewed on UW Flow

27% liked it50% easy29% useful

From 11 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

John Yeow has a few screws loose but just do ALL the assigned homework questions and you'll be fine (don't fall behind, there's a lot).

Dec 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW Flow Remove this
High school physics (optics) with a project at the end.

Oct 2018 · didn’t like itOn UW Flow Remove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention BME 386, October 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2019

Oct 16, 2019 BME 386 1 point, 2 comments

u/minecraftraytracing: “Anyone here take BME 386? What is the course like? It seems super interesting but I'm not in BME so don't know anyone to ask lol”

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Fall 2017

Oct 28, 2017 Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments

“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”

u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”

u/Jackhofmann: “… BME 201 BME 213 BME 261 BME 281 BME 281L BME 285 BME 285L BME 302 BME 362 BME 364 BME 384 BME 386 BME 392 BME 392L BUS 111W BUS 127W BUS 208W BUS 223W BUS 231W BUS 233W BUS 247W BUS 283W BUS 288W BUS 352W BUS 354W BUS 357W BUS 362W BUS 387W BUS 393W BUS 395W BUS 397W BUS 400W …”