Medical Physics Curriculum
MSBS Track
The MSBS in Medical Physics offers two concentrations, Radiation Oncology and Diagnostic Imaging Physics. The students will have to identify their track choice as they enter the program and register for the appropriate courses accordingly. The purpose of the MSBS Medical Physics degree program is to train skilled professionals to be able to work effectively in a clinical setting with physicians and other clinical staff. To obtain a MSBS degree from the COMLS, students must complete a minimum of 40 credit hours of approved credit beyond the baccalaureate, with at least 25 credits in didactic course work (requiring a grade) and a minimum of 10 credits in Thesis Research (INDI699). The MSBS degree in Medical Physics typically involves 55 credit hours over a 22 months period. The student’s faculty advisory committee will consist of faculty members mostly from the Departments of Radiology and Radiation Oncology. The committee may also include other members that may be appropriate to this degree. A thesis research project is typically chosen by the end of first year. The Radiation Oncology track offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The latter choice is for students who present advanced degrees from previous graduate work with a thesis option.
Ph.D. track
The Ph.D. in Physics with Concentration in Medical Physics satisfies all of the requirements for a Ph.D. in Physics degree while preparing students for a career in Medical Physics. The medical physics-related courses, which total at least 27 credit hours, are provided by departments on the Health Science Campus. The student’s faculty advisory committee will consist of faculty members from the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Radiology, and Radiation Oncology. The committee may also include other members that may be appropriate to this degree. A dissertation research project is chosen that will have relevance to both physics and medical physics. The Ph.D. requirement of 18 additional credit hours outside the core courses will be satisfied by the specified additional graduate courses in Physics (Main Campus) and in Medical Physics (Health Science Campus).
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer any funded positions for Ph.D. students interested in medical physics. This is because we are using all of our funding on the existing students. Unfunded Ph.D. positions are still available but tuition and living expenses will not be covered and must be self-funded.
Total hours
| Ph.D.: | Classroom: 33 credit hours (P&A), and 27-29 credit hours (COM) Research: 30 to 48 credit hours of research can be conducted in either college |
| MSBS: | Classroom: 45 credit hours COM Research: 10 or more credit hours |
| Clinical: | For Ph.D. 12 credit hours of clinical clerkship (minimum of one full year) For MSBS, 8 credit hours of clinical clerkship (minimum of 2 semesters) |
SAMPLE COURSE CURRICULUM - MSBS DEGREE TRACKS IN MEDICAL PHYSICS
|
MEDICAL PHYSICS COURSE CURRICULUM |
Rad |
Diag |
|
|
FALL I |
|
12 |
12 |
|
MPHY6010 |
Survey of Diagnostic Medical Imaging I |
3 |
3 |
|
MPHY6120 |
Radiation Dosimetry I |
3 |
3 |
|
MPHY6110 |
Survey of Clinical Radiation Oncology |
2 |
2 |
|
MPHY6310 |
Intro to Anatomy and Physiology |
4 |
4 |
|
SPRING I |
|
13 |
13 |
|
MPHY6160 |
Radiation Biology |
3 |
3 |
|
MPHY6020 |
Survey of Diagnostic Medical Imaging II |
|
3 |
|
MPHY6300 |
Radiation Detection and Measurement |
3 |
3 |
|
MPHY6130 |
Radiation Dosimetry II |
3 |
|
|
MPHY6180 |
Physics of Radiation Therapy |
3 |
3 |
|
INDI6020 |
On Being a Scientist |
1 |
1 |
|
SUMMER I |
|
8 |
8 |
|
MPHY6200 |
Radiation Protection & Regulation |
3 |
3 |
|
MPHY6190 |
Brachytherapy |
3 |
|
|
MPHY6320 |
Practical Meas in Rad Therapy |
2 |
|
|
MPHY6860 |
Ind Study in Radiology (Clinical Measurements) |
|
2 |
|
MPHY6860 |
Ind Study in Radiology (CT&MRI) |
|
3 |
|
FALL II |
|
10 |
10 |
|
MPHY6610 |
Clinical Training in Rad Oncology I |
4 |
|
|
MPHY6060 |
Principles of Nuclear Medicine |
|
3 |
|
INDI6990 |
Thesis Research |
5 |
6 |
|
MPHY6500 |
Medical Physics Seminar |
1 |
1 |
|
SPRING II |
|
12 |
12 |
|
MPHY6620 |
Clinical Training in Rad Oncology II |
4 |
|
|
MPHY6xxx |
Medical Physics Electives |
|
5 |
|
PHYS6180 |
Radiation Detection and Measurement Lab |
2 |
2 |
|
MPHY6500 |
Medical Physics Seminar |
1 |
1 |
|
INDI6990 |
Thesis Research |
5 |
4 |
- Plan of study template for Radiation Oncology track
- Plan of study template for Diagnostic Imaging track