Curriculum

The MIS degree offers full-time (12-month) and part-time (24-month) enrollment options. All students, regardless of enrollment option, complete at least 30 credit hours to graduate. This requirement is met through 24 credit hours of core and elective courses and a research project (6 credit hours).

Laboratory classes (1 credit hour) provide hands-on, practical instruction using imaging equipment.
Students also participate in the VUIIS Weekly Seminar and have opportunities to rotate in Clinical Radiology to gain an understanding of current clinical issues in imaging.
The research project is supervised by a VUIIS faculty member and provide experience working in a research laboratory.

Program Schedules & Calendars

Academic Calendar
Fall 2025 Semester
- August 20: First day of classes
- September 1: Labor Day holiday; no classes
- October 8 – October 10: Fall Break
- November 22 – November 30: Thanksgiving Break
- December 4: Last day of classes
- December 13: Last day of final exams, where applicable
Spring 2026 Semester
- January 5: First day of classes
- January 19: MLK holiday; no classes
- March 7 – March 15: Spring Break
- April 20: Last day of classes
- April 30: Last day of final exams, where applicable
Summer 2026

Work in lab should begin as soon as possible after the completion of spring semester work, in consultation with the lab principal investigator.

Subject to changes in the School of Medicine academic calendar.

Full-Time Program Sample Schedule (12 months)

Fall Semester (12 hours)	2 Core courses	6 hours
	1 elective course	3 hours
	2 practical labs	2 hours
	1 seminar	1 hour
Spring Semester (12 hours)	1 Core course	3 hours
	2 practical labs	2 hours
	2 elective courses	6 hours
	1 seminar/rotation	1 hour
Summer Semester (6 hours)	Research Project	6 hours

Part-Time Program Sample Schedule (24 months)

Year 1

Fall 1 Semester 6 hours)	2 Core courses	6 hours
Spring 1 Semester (6 hours)	2 Core courses	6 hours
Summer 1 Semester (3 hours)	Research Project	3 hours

Year 2

Fall 2 Semester (6 hours)	1 elective course	3 hours
	2 practical labs	2 hours
	1 seminar	1 hour
Spring 2 Semester (6 hours)	1 Core course	3 hours
	2 practical labs	2 hours
	1 seminar/rotation	1 hour
Summer 2 Semester (3 hours)	Research Project	3 hours

Core Courses

Computing and Image Processing

Basic techniques of image processing. Topics include image enhancement, registration, distortion and correction, segmentation and feature extraction.
Medical Imaging Physics and Engineering

The physics of image formation by different modalities that are used for medical applications. The course emphasizes concepts of imaging science common to different types of imaging, along with understanding how information is limited by physical phenomena.
Imaging Biomarkers

This course connects methods of imaging to the underlying biological processes that give rise to image information. It provides the background by which students learn not only what biological properties affect the signals used to construct images but also how various imaging approaches may be used to understand biological processes.
Quantitative and Functional Imaging

This course emphasizes the technical aspects of making quantitative measurements of structure and function using different imaging methods as well as image
analysis algorithms and the use of modeling or data analytic techniques for assessing function.

Elective Courses

Imaging with Ionizing Radiation

An in-depth treatment of the methods of imaging with ionizing radiation, including x-ray radiography, CT, PET and SPECT. The focus is on the physical limitations on noise, contrast, and spatial resolution, more advanced methods of image reconstruction, and how they affect practical applications.
MR Imaging

An in-depth treatment of fundamental spin physics, imaging hardware and techniques, and the basis of advanced MR methods. The course covers more advanced concepts of MRI and MRS suitable for students intending to develop an ability to use and develop MRI as a research and diagnostic tool.
Ultrasound Imaging

An in-depth treatment of the physics of ultrasound in complex media, instrumentation and techniques along with advanced applications.
Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging

Application of machine learning, informatics, and other advanced data science methods to detect and quantify variations in tissues in a multitude of clinical
conditions.
Cancer Imaging

A survey of the abilities and aims of different imaging approaches to understanding tumor biology and detailed studies of how imaging is used in preclinical and clinical science. The role of imaging in diagnosis, staging and treatment response, in clinical trials and in studies of the tumor microenvironment in animal models.
Neuroimaging

This course surveys methods and applications of structural and functional imaging of the brain and including the relevance of imaging to normal and pathological states. Particular attention is paid to the benefits of complementary information from different modalities, such as the integration of fMRI and electrophysiology, and of PET and SPECT imaging.
Image Guided Therapy

This course covers the use of technology to improve the specificity of delivering therapy to a diseased tissue while minimizing the exposure of healthy tissue. Includes image guided surgery, interventional radiology, MR guided HIFU and other methods of ablation.
Pre-clinical Imaging

This course will cover applications of animal models in drug development, cancer research, studies of metabolism and neuroscience.
Cellular and Molecular Imaging

This course provides a comprehensive overview of relevant multimodal cellular and molecular imaging techniques for use in vivo, and of the design and characteristics of imaging probes and contrast agents, including optical, X ray, nuclear, MR, and ultrasound imaging
Imaging Application Areas

A survey of the abilities, aims, and application of different approaches to cancer, central nervous system, cardiovascular, and kidney imaging. Guest speakers will examine the role of imaging in diagnosis, staging and treatment response, and structural and functional characterization, in both clinical and research environments.

Practical Labs

Imaging Acquisition Laboratory

This lab is part of a year-long sequence that will give students hands-on experience acquiring MRI, PET, SPECT, ultrasound, X-ray, CT, and optical imaging data on small animal and human imaging systems.
Imaging Data Analysis Laboratory

This lab is part of a year-long sequence that will give students hands-on experience managing and analyzing imaging data. It will include numeric computer programing.

Please note: As they depend on sufficient demand and professor availability, not all classes are offered every year.

Seminars

To stay abreast of current topics in imaging science, students will attend seminars in imaging science, discuss them, and write and edit brief summaries of them. The class will meet coincidentally to the VUIIS seminar series and for 30-60 minutes afterwards, when they will have the opportunity to discuss the seminar and ask questions of the speaker and/or course coordinator.

Research Project

A key component in the graduate program will be completion of a research project supervised by a faculty member. Research projects are designed to allow the students to participate in and contribute to a specific research area and gain experience working in a research laboratory. Projects suitable for completion will be developed and advertised to the students in their second semester so that they can sign up with a research mentor and begin the research project at the start of the summer semester.