Biomedical Visualization

Biomedical Visualization

Instructors: Paul Rea

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4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

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.

Details to know

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Assessments

12 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 4 modules in this course

Visualization 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 visualization is an evolving and popular field. With new techniques and technologies to image, process and analyze 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.

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 modeling 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 visualization 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 visualization 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 visualization 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 visualization and its applications, as well as exploring the basis of human anatomy. You will learn about a historical journey of "visualization" 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 visualization 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 videos10 readings3 assignments

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

Introduction to Biomedical Visualization and Human Anatomy0 minutes
Organisational Levels of the Human Body5 minutes
Anatomical Planes, Positions and Directional Terms6 minutes
Types of Muscle Movements in Human Anatomy5 minutes
Musculoskeletal Visualisation Applications in Sport Science with Prof. Niall MacFarlane3 minutes

10 readingsTotal 180 minutes

Meet the Course Educators20 minutes
Reflect and Discuss: Visualization in Practice15 minutes
What Do We Mean by Visualization?20 minutes
Terminology Tables20 minutes
Body Systems20 minutes
The Musculoskeletal System20 minutes
Reflect and Discuss: Musculoskeletal Case Studies15 minutes
Introduction to Applications in Biomedical Visualization15 minutes
Gross Visualization15 minutes
Microscopic Visualization20 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

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

Module 2 will give you an introductory lesson into 3D modeling software "Blender" and modeling terminology. By completion you will be able to create your own organic 3D models and animations using Blender. You will be briefly introduced to modeling 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

13 videos6 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videosTotal 67 minutes

Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation in Biomedical Science1 minute
Blender Interface and Navigation for Biomedical Modeling8 minutes
3D Organic Modeling Techniques in Blender8 minutes
Adding Reference Images in Blender for 3D Anatomical Modeling5 minutes
Creating Anatomical Models in Blender: Modeling the Body of the Femur5 minutes
Creating Anatomical Models in Blender: Modeling Head and Neck of the Femur6 minutes
Creating Anatomical Models in Blender: Modeling Distal End of the Femur6 minutes
Using Blender Modifiers for Biomedical 3D Models5 minutes
UV Mapping and Adding Textures in Blender for 3D Anatomy Modeling6 minutes
Adding Detail to 3D Anatomy Models Using Texture Painting in Blender3 minutes
Adding Lighting in Blender for 3D Anatomy Models5 minutes
Creating Basic Animations in Blender Using Rigid Bodies3 minutes
Animating Cameras and Render Animations in Blender5 minutes

6 readingsTotal 90 minutes

Introduction to 3D Models and Animation20 minutes
Applications of 3D Models and Animations in Biomedical Science20 minutes
Segmentation of Medical Imaging10 minutes
Blender Keyboard Shortcuts and Terminology 10 minutes
Other Resources to Find or Create Models and Textures20 minutes
Exercise: Share Your Femur Model10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

3D Models and Animations Formative Assessment 15 minutes
Formative Assessment: Modeling Terminology15 minutes
End of Week Summative Assessment30 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 15 minutes

Discussion of Modeling Workflows in Blender15 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 videos9 readings3 assignments1 plugin

5 videosTotal 19 minutes

Introduction to Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Biomedical Science1 minute
Virtual Reality in Immersive Education: Project Mobius with Dr Neil McDonnell4 minutes
Transforming Confocal Microscopy Data into Virtual Reality with Dr Craig Daly8 minutes
The Future of Augmented Reality in Healthcare with Dr Neil McDonnell3 minutes
Immersive Learning Technologies: Virtual and Augmented Reality in Education with Dr Matthieu Poyade4 minutes

9 readingsTotal 106 minutes

Definitions: The Realities and Background15 minutes
Applications of Virtual Reality10 minutes
Next: Key Note Lecture by Professor Paul Chapman - Introduction1 minute
Not all Medical: Other Unconventional Applications10 minutes
Applications of VR and AR15 minutes
Reflect and Discuss: The Future of Digital Realities20 minutes
The Downside of VR10 minutes
The Rise of Augmented Reality15 minutes
The Power of Immersion10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

Formative Assessment: VR Terms and Background 15 minutes
Formative Assessment: Applications of Virtual Reality 15 minutes
Summative Assessment 30 minutes

1 pluginTotal 60 minutes

Keynote Lecture by Professor Paul Chapman60 minutes

Module 4 is the concluding module for Biomedical Visualization. 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 visualization 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

13 videos11 readings3 assignments1 discussion prompt

13 videosTotal 47 minutes

Introduction to Mixed Reality and Extended Reality in Healthcare0 minutes
HoloBrain in WebVR for Neuroanatomy Education with Dr Claudia Krebs4 minutes
From Medicine to Education: Dr Paul Rea's Journey into Anatomy and Digital Learning6 minutes
Digitising the Human Body: Using AR and VR in Anatomical Education4 minutes
The Effectiveness of AR and VR in Education: Evidence, Research and Reality5 minutes
The Promise and Limits of AR and VR in Anatomy Education4 minutes
Teaching Anatomical Variation with AR and VR4 minutes
Collaborative and Applied Uses of AR and VR in Medical and Life Sciences Education3 minutes
Student Experiences with AR and VR in Anatomy Education5 minutes
The Future of AR and VR in Anatomy and Medical Education5 minutes
Creating 3D and AR Models of Pelvic Anatomy with Dr Claudia Krebs2 minutes
Further Study - MSc in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy2 minutes
Course Completion: Next Steps in Biomedical Visualisation2 minutes

11 readingsTotal 185 minutes

Mixed Reality: Where It Fits10 minutes
Mixed Reality in Minimally Invasive Surgery20 minutes
Augmented Reality in Hip‑Related Surgery20 minutes
Extended Reality15 minutes
Use of Extended Realities in Cardiology20 minutes
Advances in Realities with Professor Paul M. Rea10 minutes
Challenges of Immersive Technologies20 minutes
Where are we now and the future20 minutes
Beyond the Field of Science20 minutes
The Ethical Dilemma Using Technology in Healthcare20 minutes
A Special Thanks To...10 minutes

3 assignmentsTotal 60 minutes

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

1 discussion promptTotal 20 minutes

Reflective Exercise20 minutes

Instructors

Paul Rea

University of Glasgow

1 Course41,666 learners

Offered by

University of Glasgow

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