https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/B_IMAGINGBy the end of this course, students are able to design, perform, evaluate and professionally communicate on a research project that utilizes ultrasound imaging. This will be achieved by learning the theory and potential applications of ultrasound imaging in comparison with other commonly used imaging tools. The course consists of:Lectures on the theory of MRI and ultrasound imaging and 1 lecture on functional anatomy.Expert lectures and practicals on the use of ultrasound imaging in the physiotherapy practice, focusing on the shoulder, lower leg, and ankle regions.Group research project using ultrasound imaging.Workgroups to design and reflect on the ongoing research project.By the end of this course students are able to:Discuss the relevance of different commonly used imaging modalities in orthopedics (i.e. MRI and US).Differentiate between relevant elements of the musculoskeletal system and artefacts using ultrasound imaging.Perform and interpret a clinical ultrasound examination of the shoulder, knee, and lower leg.Hypothesize on the physiological effects of variations in the musculoskeletal systemDesign, apply, analyze and professionally communicate on an ultrasound-based research project.Lectures: This course consists of 6 lectures. During the first 4 interactive lectures, students are provided with and challenged to obtain knowledge on the relevance and basic theory of commonly used imaging modalities and functional anatomy. Two additional expert lectures by a physiotherapist will teach and prepare the students to use ultrasound imaging to identify musculoskeletal structures and pathologies in the shoulder, knee and lower leg regions. Practicals: This course consists of 3 practicals:Introduction to ultrasound imaging.Identification of musculoskeletal structures and pathologies in the shoulder region.Identification of musculoskeletal structures and pathologies in knee and lower leg region.Mini research project: In groups of three students, students will write a research report based on data collected using ultrasound imaging. During this course, we have 4 workgroup sessions to support and evaluate the progress of the research projects.Expert lectures Practicals mini-research projectInterim exam (30%) Mini-research project report (60%) Mini-research project presentation (10%) This procedure can be found on Canvas. The grade will be rounded off at half points according the VU guidelinesWill be made available through CanvasThis course is especially suitable for students who would like to develop basic hands-on skills in the use of musculoskeletal ultrasound, both for research and for clinical (diagnostic) applications.As this course highly depends on the availability of ultrasound equipment, we can not guarantee that all students opting for the course can actually be admitted.