As the number of magnetic resonance imaging scanners in the country has soared from a handful in 1980 to about 10,000 today, and as magnets have quadrupled in power, careless accidents have become more frequent.

The BIC is a core resource for all faculty and faculty sponsored students at UCSB. In addition, faculty from other institutions may purchase time on the scanner in collaboration with local UCSB faculty. The BIC operates as a cost center, with all studies billed at hourly rates set by the UCSB rate and recharge committee on a yearly basis. Current rates can be obtained from the center administrator. While most studies are supported by extramural funding there is also pilot funding for new projects that is supported by the College of Letters & Science. Pilot projects are reviewed by the BIC research committee. The application to use the BIC for both funded and pilot projects is the same. The application form can be downloaded here (PDF document).

A copy of the Brain Imaging Center standard operating procedures can be downloaded here (PDF document).

You can download the Human Subjects Consent Template (Word document).

This Safety Form helps to outline some of the main safety issues to be aware of when using the MRI room (PDF document).

For your safety, before using the BIC for your own research, there is a requirement to attend a brief safety walkthrough of the facility and view a safety video (30 minutes total). For those with limited schedules, the video can be signed out to be watched on their own time. (Safety walkthrough is still required). Call (805) 893-5235 for scheduling.

All subjects and researchers that will be scanned must complete and return this Metal Screening Form (PDF document) to the BIC administrator.

View our online calendar to see available scanner times. Time slots are flexible, from1 to 2 hours depending on the protocol.Scheduling priority is given to funded projects. Studies are scheduled during the first week of each calendar month for the following month (Oct 1 we start to schedule for Nov 1). Send time slot requests to bic@psych.ucsb.edu.

The hourly rate for use of the MRI is $600.

To schedule operating training, send email to bic@psych.ucsb.edu