Biomedical Visualisation

Biomedical Visualisation

Instructors: Paul Rea

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

533 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

533 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

2 weeks at 10 hours a week

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

What you'll learn

Create accurate, ethical biomedical visuals using modern digital tools and evidence‑based design.
Use advanced 3D modelling and imaging skills (with Blender) to build clear, anatomically accurate visuals for education and practice.
Evaluate and apply accessibility, inclusivity, and communication principles to design biomedical media for diverse users.
Develop a professional portfolio showing technical skill, reflective practice, and adherence to biomedical visualisation standards.

Skills you'll gain

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Visualisation is a rapidly progressive specialty in academia, research and industry, and becoming the future of science. With the advancement of digital technologies and their applications, biomedical visualisation is an evolving and popular field. With new techniques and technologies to image, process and analyse data related to the human body, and its biological processes, it is at the forefront of the digital revolution. Why not view our course trailer video. Copy and paste this link into your browser https://youtu.be/vB_QcIVSiTs

By the end of this course, you will be able to: 1. Create accurate, ethical biomedical visuals using modern digital tools and evidence based design. 2. Use advanced 3D modelling and imaging skills to build clear, anatomically accurate visuals for education and practice. 3. Evaluate and apply accessibility, inclusivity, and communication principles to design biomedical media for diverse users. 4. Develop a professional portfolio showing technical skill, reflective practice, and adherence to biomedical visualisation standards. This course is the first of its kind on Coursera. It explores the structure and function of the human body including terminology used. It showcases visualisation techniques available using technology to image and display data related to the body and biological processes. It also provides training in the creation of animations, and examines the applicability of different types of reality. You will learn from experts in these fields and with the knowledge you will gain from this course, be able to evaluate and apply how best to use visualisation in your own discipline. No prior experience is necessary but should be able to learn at an intermediate level.

Module 1 will cover introductory material of visualisation and its applications, as well as exploring the basis of human anatomy. You will learn about a historical journey of "visualisation" to the present day advances and uses with biomedical science. Exploring the human body, you will learn its structure and function; the body systems and their roles; as well as learning frequently used terminology within anatomy. Examples of visualisation techniques will be covered, and as a learner you will be able to name examples as and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages.

What's included

5 videos8 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

Week 1 Overview0 minutes
Human Structure5 minutes
Anatomical Terminology6 minutes
Muscle Movements5 minutes
Interview from Prof. Niall MacFarlane: Musculoskeletal Applications in Sport Science3 minutes

8 readingsTotal 150 minutes

Meet the Course Educators20 minutes
What We Mean by Visualisation20 minutes
Terminology Tables20 minutes
Body Systems20 minutes
The Musculoskeletal System20 minutes
Introduction to Applications in Biomedical Visualisation10 minutes
Gross Visualisation20 minutes
Microscopic Visualisation20 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

End of Week 1 Graded Assessment30 minutes
Structure and Terminology Formative Assessment 15 minutes
The Body Systems Formative Assessment 15 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

What Does Visualisation Mean to You?15 minutes
Musculoskeletal Visualisation30 minutes
Using Applications in Your Area of Interest15 minutes

Module 2 will give you an introductory lesson into 3D modelling software "Blender" and modelling terminology. By completion you will be able to create your own organic 3D models and animations using Blender. You will be taught a brief introduction to modelling and its vast variety of uses within Biomedical Science. The theory and process of segmentation from patient imaging data will be explored as another option to obtain realistic 3D models.

What's included

5 videos6 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts1 plugin

5 videosTotal 54 minutes

Week 2 Overview1 minute
Getting Comfortable with Blender14 minutes
Modelling Techniques in Blender10 minutes
Modelling Practical in Blender16 minutes
Final Touches in Modelling: Modifiers13 minutes

6 readingsTotal 80 minutes

Introduction to 3D Models and Animation20 minutes
Applications of 3D Models and Animations20 minutes
Segmentation of Medical Imaging10 minutes
Blender Keyboard Shortcuts and Terminology10 minutes
Other Resources to Find or Create Models and Textures10 minutes
Textures and Lighting10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

End of Week Summative Assessment 30 minutes
3D Models and Animations Formative Assessment 15 minutes
Formative Assessment: Modelling Terminology 15 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 50 minutes

What would be an example of a successful animation in your specialised field?20 minutes
Discussion of Modelling in Blender15 minutes
Discussion of Materials and Textures in Blender15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 15 minutes

Upload your materials to the Padlet Wall15 minutes

Module 3 will introduce virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The history and background of virtual reality will be explored, and how augmented reality rose in popularity within this field as well. This week will allow you as a learner to hear interviews with VR and AR experts. They will discuss their research, theory and some of the applications of this technology in biomedical science. The wide variety of applications will be taught, and why it has become such a popular tool in research, teaching and in other areas.

What's included

5 videos8 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts1 plugin

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

Week 3 Overview1 minute
Interview with Dr Neil McDonnell: Immersive Education & Project Mobius4 minutes
Interview with Dr Craig Daly: Confocal Microscopy to VR8 minutes
Interview with Dr Neil McDonnell Part 2: AR and Its Future3 minutes
Interview with Dr Matthieu Poyade4 minutes

8 readingsTotal 106 minutes

Definitions: The Realities and Background15 minutes
Applications of Virtual Reality20 minutes
Next: Key Note Lecture by Professor Paul Chapman - Introduction1 minute
Not all Medical: Other Unconventional Applications20 minutes
Applications of VR and AR15 minutes
The Downside of VR10 minutes
The Rise of Augmented Reality.15 minutes
The Power of Immersion10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Summative Assessment30 minutes
Formative Assessment: VR Terms and background 15 minutes
Formative Assessment: Applications of Virtual Reality15 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 65 minutes

First and Favourtie Virtual Reality Experiences?20 minutes
Where do you expect to see the different realities developing in the future?30 minutes
Fad or Future?15 minutes

1 pluginTotal 60 minutes

Keynote Lecture by Professor Paul Chapman60 minutes

Module 4 is the concluding module for Biomedical Visualisation. New theory that will be introduced are Mixed and 'Extended reality' as a whole, and what could potentially come of the realities in the future. This week is for the learner to reflect on what they have learned throughout this course. When to best use visualisation techniques; their advantages and disadvantages; and how you could use what you have learned throughout the course for future projects in your area of interest.

What's included

6 videos11 readings3 assignments3 discussion prompts

6 videosTotal 47 minutes

Week 4 Overview0 minutes
Interview with Dr Claudia Krebs: The HoloBrain in WebVR4 minutes
Podcast with Professor Paul M. Rea37 minutes
Interview with Dr Claudia Krebs: Creating a 3D & AR Pelvic Structure2 minutes
Further Study - MSc in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy2 minutes
Congratulations for completing this Course; final remarks.2 minutes

11 readingsTotal 350 minutes

Mixed Reality: Where It Fits10 minutes
Mixed Reality in Minimally Invasive Surgery40 minutes
Endoscopic Navigation and Augmented Reality40 minutes
Extended Reality10 minutes
Use of Extended Realities in Cardiology40 minutes
Advances in Realities40 minutes
Challenges of Realities30 minutes
Where are we now and the future40 minutes
Beyond the Field of Science40 minutes
The ethical dilemma using technology in healthcare50 minutes
A Special Thanks To...10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

End of Week 4 Assessment 30 minutes
Formative Quiz15 minutes
Formative Assessment: Various Realities 15 minutes

3 discussion promptsTotal 60 minutes

Challenges of Realities Discussion20 minutes
Reflective Exercise Part 120 minutes
Reflective Exercise Part 220 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(200 ratings)

Paul Rea

University of Glasgow

1 Course41,041 learners

Offered by

University of Glasgow

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Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024

Great work by the entire team. Solid content with easy-to-understand lectures and engaging practical work.

Reviewed on May 29, 2020

It is very useful for me . It helps me to understand the Future technology thank you University of Glasgow . Thank u so much.i am happy for your work of teaching

Reviewed on Jul 26, 2022

I absolutely loved the course. The contents were prepared to help us understand easier and opened many vistas of imagination about my biomedical field.

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