Image chain modeling has become an important systems engineering tool for assessing the design of imaging systems. By mathematically modeling the image formation process of the entire imaging chain, from the radiometric source to the delivered image data, various imaging system designs can be studied and analyzed to optimize the image quality and assure that the final system design will meet the user's requirements. Images can be created and evaluated from the camera design before the camera is built, thus preventing costly redesigns after hardware has been purchased and integrated. This course presents an overview of the image chain models for digital imaging systems and the application of the models to quantify image quality differences between various design concepts. A discussion of the key elements of an imaging chain will be presented with discussion of the mathematical tools, such as linear systems math, used to model the imaging chain.