ECED 4760

The first half of the course addresses topics in electrophysiology, including the biological effects of electricity, the generation of electrochemical potentials in the body, the generation of action potentials by cells and their propagation in nerve and muscle cells. This leads into a discussion of the applications of bioelectricity including the measurement of biopotentials for diagnostics, electrostimulation of tissues, electrical safety and the functional role of electrophysiology at the organ level in the heart and brain. The second half of the course is devoted to modern medical imaging technologies. Students are introduced to the physics and signal processing techniques used in x-ray, computed tomography (CT), positron-emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging. Course lectures are supplemented by guest lectures from local biomedical scientists and clinicians on current topics and by labs on bioimpedance measurement and electrocardiography.