Introduction to measuring the human brain using magnetic resonance imaging, 3 ECTS
The Department of Linguistics offers this course as part of the Doctoral School in the Humanities in the spring semester 2025. The course is offered on campus.
Course content
The course is an introduction to measuring human brain structure and function using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We will briefly describe the essentials of human brain anatomy and physiology. The basis of magnetic resonance imaging will be introduced. Structural measures of gray and white matter and functional measures of brain activity will be described.
Structural and functional MRI will be presented as methods to address a variety of research questions. Research questions within the Humanities will be emphasized. Experimental design and data analysis techniques adequate for different research questions will be introduced. The promises and challenges of MRI will be discussed in the context of other methods to probe the living human brain.
Learning outcomes
In order to pass the course, students are expected to be able to:
- describe the essential aspects of the human brain anatomy and physiology most relevant to MRI
- give a simple description of MRI and how it is used to measure brain structure and function
- enumerate different measurements done with MRI and give examples of research questions which can be address with the help of the different measurements,
- give examples of experimental designs and data analysis techniques adequate for different research questions
- discuss MRI in relation to other methods
Previous experience
What has been most positive about the course?
- "I really liked lab classes, I would enjoy having more of them."
- "The very friendly and competent guidance by Rita and Patrik."
- "The engaging teachers and environment, the mix of disciplines, the lectures making the technical stuff possible to grasp. The teachers were very good and helpful. They provided a good and friendly learning atmosphere even though the subject, at least for me, was rather difficult."
Would you recommend the course?
- "Great course for MRI interested PhD students who have some knowledge about it but not enough to plan an experiment themselves."
- "It was very engaging and I learned a lot."
- "highly"
Last time the course was offered: Autumn 2021
Number of participants: 16
Number of respondents on course evaluation: 12 (75%)
Practical information
Mandatory elements
Attendance of at least 90 % on all parts of the course moments is compulsory.
In certain cases the examinator can, after consulting with the responsible teacher, exempt students from participation in a moment of the course. In these cases the student can be asked to complete compensatory assignment.
Examination
The students will be assessed i) continuously during the course during group discussions and practical excercises and ii) presentation of an independent project.
Instruction
The course occasions consist of lectures, seminars with groups discussions, lab-visits, hands-on tutorials and student presentations.
Course dates
26 March, 9.00-15.00
9 April, 9.00-15.00
30 April, 9.00-15.00
14 May, 9.00-15.00
28 May, 9.00-15.00
NB. The course will be offered on campus only.
Period: Spring semester 2025
Course dates: TBA
Language of instruction: English
Course syllabus:
Course Syllabus LI104FU (442 Kb)
Apply to the course
Application
Applications for courses starting in the autumn semester 2024 are received between May 15 and June 15, 2024. Notifications of acceptance are sent out as soon as possible after the final date.
All applications are sent by the supervisor to: doctoralschool@hum.su.se. Official transcript of records, or certificate of registration, verifying the applicant's status as doctoral student should be enclosed with the application.
All courses are free of charge, and they are open to all who are admitted to studies on PhD-level, regardless of faculty or university. Prerequisites and special admittance requirements may apply for some courses.
How do I apply?
The application form (document link below) is used to apply for a place in a course. The supervisor (or equivalent) must support the doctoral student’s application with a motivation as to why the doctoral student should participate in the course. The supervisor also submits the proposal to the following address: doctoralschool@hum.su.se.
Application form for place in a joint faculty course (294 Kb)
Who can apply?
The Faculty of Humanities’ doctoral students have priority for places, and external doctoral students (from Stockholm University or another university) can be admitted to a course subject to availability. External doctoral students will be registered in Ladok in order to enable the Board to monitor all participants in a course.
Contact
Course director: Rita Almeida
Course name in Swedish: Introduktion till avbildning av den mänskliga hjärnan med magnetresonansteknik
The course is offered by the Department of Linguistics.
Last updated: January 7, 2025
Source: Faculty of Humanities