Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics
The Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics program is a program of didactic coursework. The goal of the certificate program is to enable individuals with a doctoral degree in physics or a related discipline to meet the didactic requirements needed to enter a CAMPEP*-accredited medical physics residency program. Residency programs in medical physics focus on developing clinical competency through hands-on experience in various medical physics subspecialties. The completion of a CAMPEP-accredited residency is a prerequisite for applying for board certification from organizations like the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM).
*CAMPEP: Commission for Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (www.campep.org)
- A doctoral degree, or currently a doctoral degree candidate, in physics, other physical sciences, mathematics, or engineering from an accredited institution in the United States, or proof of an equivalent degree and training at a foreign institution.
- Required prior coursework: undergraduate coursework of one introductory calculus-based physics course and at least three upper level advanced physics courses.
- A cumulative grade point average (GPA) no lower than “B” (3.0 on a scale of 4.0) on undergraduate-level studies undertaken previously is required.
- International Applicants who hold a J or H Visa may apply to this program.
- International applicants from countries where English is not the native language must earn a minimum score of 84 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a score of 7.0 on the Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or a score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test.
- International applicants who have completed or will complete their doctoral degree at an accredited U.S. Institution before matriculating in the Medical Physics Certificate program may be exempted from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.
- Three letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's readiness for graduate-level studies. These letters should be submitted with the online application to the Graduate School of Biomedical Science (GSBS).
- Research experience is not required but will be considered.
The curriculum consists of courses (18 SCH) prescribed and Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). As with the MS, PhD, and DMP programs, the Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics Program will have to go through an accreditation process administered by CAMPEP which includes reviewing the course syllabi and course directors. As of June 2025, this program is still pending approval of CAMPEP.
| RADI 5005 | Fundamentals Of Radiation Dosimetry | 3 |
| RADI 5015 | Physics Of Diagnostic Imaging 1 | 3 |
| RADI 5020 | Principles of Health Physics 1 | 3 |
| RADI 5025 | Molecular Oncology & Radiobiology | 1.5-3 |
| RADI 6024 | Radiological Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| RADI 6030 | Physics Of Radiotherapy | 3 |
The Medical Physics Certificate Program is a program of didactic coursework, consisting of six, 3-semester-hour graduate courses that are offered to enable individuals with a doctoral degree in physics or a related discipline to meet the didactic requirements needed to enter a CAMPEP-accredited residency program. The medical physics certificate program is open to all graduate students or alumni of graduate programs in physics or a related field with undergraduate physics coursework equivalent to a physics minor. CAMPEP* requires that Residents entering a medical physics residency educational program shall have completed either: 1) a CAMPEP-accredited* MS or PhD graduate program, or 2) a CAMPEP-accredited* certificate program. Per CAMPEP*, certificate Programs will be allowed to admit students who have a PhD or are enrolled in a PhD program in Physics or a related field (Policy H.01.04, Graduate Standard 3.1) so that they may take certificate program courses while simultaneously pursuing their PhD degree.
*CAMPEP: Commission for Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (www.campep.org)
RADI 5005. Fundamentals Of Radiation Dosimetry. 3 Credit Hours.
The aim of this course is to introduce the students to the fundamentals of radiation dosimetry, including dosimetry quantities, interactions with matter, cavity theory and calibration protocols. More specifically, the topics that will be covered during this course are the following: 1) Introduction/Ionizing Radiation, 2) Quantities for describing interactions, 3) Exponential attenuation, 4) Charged particle and radiation equilibria, 5) Absorbed dose in radioactive media, 6) Radioactive decay, 7) X-ray interactions with matter, 8) Charged particle interactions with matter, 9) Cavity theory, 10) Dosimetry Fundamentals, and 11) Calibration protocols.
RADI 5015. Physics Of Diagnostic Imaging 1. 3 Credit Hours.
This course introduces the student to the basic principles and radiological practice using noninvasive imaging systems. Topics include production of x-rays, interaction of radiation with matter, and the physics of imaging using computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
RADI 5025. Molecular Oncology & Radiobiology. 1.5-3 Credit Hours.
This course is an overview of the physics and chemistry of radiation biology; the biological effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiations and hyperthermia at the cellular and tissue levels and whole body and late effects.
RADI 6024. Radiological Anatomy & Physiology. 3 Credit Hours.
This course will provide students with an opportunity to learn anatomy, physiology, and commonly used medical terminology as it relates to radiologic imaging. Anatomic and physiologic features will be illustrated with radiologic images in formats commonly encountered in clinical radiology. By the end of the course, students are expected to be familiar with basic medical terminology and have a good understanding of medical anatomy, physiology, and some basic pathology as related to specific organs for which radiologic images are commonly applied.
RADI 6030. Physics Of Radiotherapy. 3 Credit Hours.
Theory, design, and operation of radiation-producing equipment used in radiation therapy are introduced. Exposure and absorbed dose calculations, patient dosimetry, treatment planning, and use of computers in radiation therapy are covered.