Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation PG (10159.3)

Please note these are the 2026 details for this unit
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Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation PG
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods Hybrid
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Health
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Medical Radiation Post Graduate Level Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit students will gain knowledge and an understanding of the physical principles and instrumentation used in medical ultrasound. The unit links the physical principles to the clinical use of medical ultrasound equipment, including transducer design, ultrasound beam characteristics, and different modes used in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Also covered are an understanding of ultrasound safety and potential biological effects. Students will also develop skills in the recognition of image artifacts and optimising image quality.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe and discuss the physical properties of ultrasound and its interaction with body tissue, both descriptively and mathematically, and the instrumentation of diagnostic ultrasound;
2. Identify ultrasound imaging artifacts and explain the physical basis underlying their formation in the modalities studied;
3. Describe and perform calculations relating to the physical principles of Doppler ultrasound;
4. Examine the different possible ultrasound bioeffects and their responsible damage mechanisms, and implement international safety recommendations and guidelines; and
5. Explore and appraise advances in ultrasound imaging technology.



Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 Hybrid Ms Karen Pollard
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

Gill, R. W. (2020). The physics and technology of diagnostic ultrasound: A practitioner's guide. (2nd Edn.). High Frequency Publishing, Sydney.

This essential text is a practitioner's guide to the physics and technology of diagnostic ultrasound. It is also strongly recommended that students access the accompanying study guide:

Gill, R. W. (2020). The physics and technology of diagnostic ultrasound: Study guide. (2nd Edn.). High Frequency Publishing, Sydney.

The books are available in paperback and ebook formats from The School Locker, Amazon, Apple, Google, other online bookshops and also directly from Rob Gill's website (https://ultrasoundbook.net). 

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Referencing guidelines

Correct and consistent referencing is an important component of producing professional and credible academic work. Marks will be deducted for inadequate referencing. 

Referencing should be in accordance with the APA Style Guidelines (American Psychology Association). Information to support APA style referencing is available on the UC library website at http://canberra.libguides.com/c.php?g=599301&p=4148716.

Moderation

Assessment items will be moderated to ensure consistency and equity. Moderation of assessment items will include all failed submissions and a selection of other graded assessment items in each cohort in adherence with the Faculty of Health guidelines.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Participation requirements

Active engagement in all online modules enhances your learning and is strongly advised.

Unless specifically stated in the unit outline, there is no mandatory attendance requirement. However, you may elect to attend timetabled activities, as they allow you to ask 'real time' questions to develop your understanding for the relevant assessment tasks.

Optional face to face workshops will be available to all enrolled students. Details will be provided on the UCLearn/Canvas site.

Students are expected to actively contribute to online, topic based discussions throughout the semester.

Online tutorials/ meetings may be held out of hours to facilitate attendance.

Required IT skills

Access to the Internet and UCLearn/Canvas site is essential.

This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room provides a virtual classroom or meeting room where you can communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, please go to the Virtual Room in the UCLearn/Canvas unit site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

In-unit costs

Students are responsible for any costs associated with their attendance at any optional on campus workshop in this unit.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

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