Physics Department | Lehigh University  


Prof. P. M. Cereghetti 

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PHY 120+121 & 122+123: Physics of Medical Imaging

Fall Semester/Spring Semester


Comments from previous students

Below some comments from students who attended these classes in past years. They discuss several aspects of these class from a student point of view, and the role these classes can play for students on a pre-health/pre-med track.

I truly enjoyed the Physics of Medical Imaging class. The class was fun, had good atmosphere, and I learned something new all the time. [...] The class helped clarify many topics covered in physics 10 and 13. As a biochemistry major, this course helped me in my advance chemistry courses as well. Some of the topic we learned in Physic of Medical imaging overlapped with majority of material covered in Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry. You absolutely do not have to be a physics student to enjoy this class. [...] I especially recommend this class for pre-health students, because the class went over material that we need to know for the future.

Adama Shaw, class of 2017 (PHY 120+121, 122+123)

As a student striving to get into medical school, this class provides great examples of how the material learned in class can be applied to real life scenarios. [...] You do not need to be super strong in physics to enjoy this class! I have only taken introductory physics classes before taking this class that I am succeeding in!

Anmol Madaan, class of 2019 (PHY 120+121, 122+123)

The concepts learned through formulas and literature help answer the "How?" in regards to the function of medical imaging. The class helps unravel both the simple and complex physics that are behind incredible life-saving tools. For the past 9 months I have been employed as an emergency room scribe, and have observed physicians ordering an array of medical imaging tools to diagnose their patients. Alongside physicians, I have had the privilege of viewing X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. This class gave me the level of knowledge necessary to understand why a certain image was ordered, how it was obtained, and certain nuances of the image itself. Therefore, in my short career as a scribe, this class proved useful! I came to find that a lot of physics learned and reviewed in this class was tested in the MCAT. Those concepts were fresh in my mind as I prepared for the exam. Also, as I await medical school this coming summer, I am certain this class gave me the level of knowledge necessary to have an advantage against my peers. I don't anticipate the physics formulas being tested in undergraduate medical school, but I am certain the understanding of medical imaging tools will be required. You do not need to be super strong in physics to understand the material or to do well in the class. More reading is required than in a typical physics class, as questions and equations are derived from information in the text. If readings are completed on-time, more will be gained in lecture, and you can excel in the class. The amount of work and study hours per week was appropriate for the credit hours of the class. I never felt overwhelmed or bored. I would recommend this class to any student who is pre-health, or interested in the application of physics in the medical field.

Mark DiMaggio, class of 2017 (PHY 122+123)

I learned a lot of interesting and useful concepts that I will be able to take with me into my next steps after my undergraduate education. I would truly say that this class, both phy 120/121 and phy 122/123 have been extremely valuable to both my current and future self. [...] I am not a physics major but rather a minor, and I would certainly recommend this class to other students as it was extremely useful and interesting. [...] I would say the only thing you need to be successful in this class is an appreciation for the theory behind the imaging [techniques] and the ability to see patterns and trends. I would not say that this class was incredibly physics intensive, meaning if you keep up with all of the work there is no reason that you cannot excel in this class. [...] This class, in my experience, required a fair amount of work, proportional to the amount of credit I was getting. I think the work load and expectations were well with reason for this class.

Ian Mason, class of 2019 (PHY 120+121,122+123)

I am pre-med, so this class really helped me understand the physics behind imaging techniques I may use in the future. You do not need to be a super strong physics student to get something out of the class and enjoy the material. Doing well in the class is based on how much effort and care you put into the assignments, not based on whether you are great at physics.

Julia Hayden, class of 2018 (PHY 120+121, 122+123)

Most people in the field of medicine will need to learn the basic aspects of medical imaging, this class is a great introduction to the topic. Going even further, people who think they might want to specialize in radiology should be even more interested in this class because it can be a first look into the topic. There are no other courses that will go in depth about the physics behind medical imaging. Anyone who is pre-health, pre- dental, or pre-med will benefit from taking this course.

Simon Luu, class of 2018 (PHY 120+121, 122+123)

Personally, my physics background was average at best and I worked on the material not any less or more than any other science classes and still found myself engaged with the material. In the end, what you put into the class is what you get out of it and I would recommend it to any students regardless of your physics background.

Jin Park, class of 2017 (PHY 120+121, 122+123)

Physics of Medical Imaging was a very interesting class. It detailed how the different medical imaging machines worked as well as how radiation is delivered. If you are planning to go into any patient care health field, this is particularly interesting and useful as it will be applicable in the work field. The class was technical and in depth, but the professor presented the material in a very clear and easy to understand method.

Duyen Tran, class of 2017 (PHY 122+123)

This class was interesting because I have never taken another class like it and I don't think Lehigh offers classes like it. Understanding medical imagining is important for a lot of pre-health students. [...] I want to go to veterinary school and I know from working in vet offices and hospitals that medical imaging is a really important tool and a necessary skill. [...] I think the amount of work was fair, especially since the written tests were specialized to the person's individual interests.

Kathryn Wexler, class of 2018 (PHY 120+121)

As a pre-med student, interested in going into orthopedic surgery I found this class right up my alley. I loved the way it mixed a subject outside of my specialty with one of my greatest interests, medicine. This course challenged me to think outside just biology and showed me that in science we cannot become so laser focused on our particular field, in the end physics, biology, chemistry, etc., all come together to form a highly interweaved network. [...] By taking this course I feel better prepared for the kinds of integrated and challenging courses I expect to face in the future. This course challenges you to learn new material by applying your knowledge from multiple fields into one class, and to take personal responsibility for your work and effort. [...] This class was appropriately challenging and the content is certain not like any other course offered at Lehigh (at least from what I have taken). PHY 120 & 122, are extremely unique courses [...] and I can say that out of all the classes I have taken, this course will be one of the ones I will never forget.

Alli A. Kelliher, class of 2018 (PHY 120, 122)

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