Overview
Medical physics is an applied branch of physics that deals with medical imaging and applications in the treatment of disease and is closely allied with bioengineering and health physics. Medical imaging covers multiple modalities including diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging while radiation therapy, a major subspecialty in medical physics, is concerned with the treatment of disease.
The medical physics program strives to provide a rigorous well rounded and clinically based training that is current in both diagnostic and radiation therapy physics. The graduate program in the Department of Radiological Sciences offers MS degrees in medical physics. The MS and PhD programs in Radiological Sciences are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educations Programs, Inc.
Areas of Specialization
- Medical Physics, subspecializing in the Physics of
- Radiation Therapy
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Career Opportunities
Medical Physicists contribute in the subspecialty areas of Diagnostic Radiological Imaging, Radiation Oncology and Nuclear Medicine. Graduation from this program with the MS or PhD degree qualifies the individual for an entry level position in Medical Physics working with experienced individuals within medical facilities and with private medical physics groups across the United States. Currently, a significant number of openings exist nationally, with the majority of these being in the radiation oncology medical physics area. Position openings are advertised in a number of professional publications such as those of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) (www.aapm.org). The individual’s marketability increases with experience and with professional certification. Professional Certification is offered through the American Board of Radiology (ABR) (www.theabr.org), the same board providing professional certification of radiologists and radiation oncologists, and is recognized by the prestigious American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org).
It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they are enrolled in the prescribed courses and to pay tuition and fees at the time designated by the Bursar's Office. Details regarding tuition/fee charges and collection are available from the Bursar's Office.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements listed in the Graduate College bulletin, applicants must present clear evidence of a strong foundation in chemistry and mathematics, as well as in both written and spoken English. Applicants must have also acquired a high degree of proficiency in physics with coursework equivalent to a baccalaureate minor in physics.
Master of Science Degree Requirements
Candidates for the Master of Science degree in Radiological Sciences must complete a thesis based on their own research and must complete the following courses:
Course List
| Code |
Title |
Hours |
| RADI 5024 | Radiation Measurements | 4 |
| RADI 5222 | Introduction to Radiation Biology and Chemistry | 2 |
| RADI 5824 | Production and Absorption of Ionizing Radiation | 4 |
| RADI 6864 | Radiological Physics I | 4 |
| RADI 6874 | Radiological Physics II | 4 |
| RADI 6884 | Radiological Physics III | 4 |
The required number of semester hours for the MS degree is 32 with no more than six hours to be earned in RADI 5980 Research for Masters Thesis, MS Thesis Research. The remainder of program requirement may be completed with graduate level courses from Radiological Sciences or graduate studies in appropriate academic areas which have been approved by the advisor or advisory committee (electives).
Every student in the graduate program of the Department must present a seminar every year. Entering students shall complete prerequisite courses with a grade of B or better within the first 12 months of enrollment or prior to enrollment. Completion of this requirement will not be given graduate credit in the Radiological Sciences Graduate Program.
Prerequisites
The required coursework consists of the following courses and semester hours:
- Calculus (at least 8 semester hours) and Differential Equations (3 semester hours)
- Calculus-based General College Physics (at least 8 semester hours), Modern Physics (3 semester hours) and at least two other Upper Level Undergraduate Physics Courses (3 semester hours each for a total of 6 hours)
- General College Chemistry (at least 4 semester hours)
- College Level Anatomy and Physiology (at least 4 semester hours)
A maximum of two courses may be missed from this list prior to application. The missing course(s) must be completed with grade(s) of not less than a B within one calendar year of first enrollment in the graduate program. Credits acquired before or after enrollment to meet these minimum entrance requirements do not count towards degree-granting program.
In addition to the course requirements, applicants are expected to have taken the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). A minimum score of 400 in the verbal portion and a combined score (verbal plus quantitative) exceeding 1100 are required for admission.
