Master of Science in Medical Health Physics
Admissions Requirements
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test and a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 are required. Three letters of recommendation are required. During the application process, essays stating (1) the reasons for your interest in Medical Health Physics, (2) a description of professional goals and (3) an outline of your undergraduate, industrial or summer research, as well as teaching experience and clinical experience are required.
Students accepted into the CAMPEP-accredited (www.campep.org), M.S. in Medical Health Physics degree program shall have acquired a strong foundation in basic Physics. This should be documented by either an undergraduate degree in physics or a degree in a related engineering or physical science with coursework that is equivalent to a minor in Physics (includes at least three upper-level undergraduate physics courses). Applicants also must have undergraduate credit for the following courses: 1) Chemistry: One semester of general chemistry; 2) Mathematics: through calculus and ordinary differential equations; 3) Computer Science or Programming: One semester. The program requires a bachelor’s degree in natural science or engineering. The admission process includes review of academic history as well as experience and goals of the applicant. Virtual and on-campus interviews are conducted for qualified applicants selected by the Admissions Committee. International applicants must meet all international applicant requirements.
Applicants from countries where English is not the native language must submit test scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL: minimum score of 84 on the internet version), a band score of 7.0 on the academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a minimum score of 115 on the Duolingo English Test. Scores on TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo tests taken more than two years prior to the date of matriculation will not be accepted.
International applicants who have completed or will complete their degree prior to matriculation at an accredited US Institution may be exempted from the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo requirement.
All transcript from foreign institutions must be evaluated by an accredited credentialing service (https://www.naces.org/) Evaluations must include 1.) A listing of all courses in English; and 2.) A final grade point average (4.0 scale) for all courses taken (not just science courses).
Degree Requirements
A minimum of 48 credit hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 is required for the M.S. degree. In addition, all master’s candidates must register for Thesis for at least one semester in order to graduate. The student must successfully defend a thesis and be recommended by their program COGS for approval of their degree to the Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| RADI 5001 | Basic Radiation Safety | 1 |
| RADI 5005 | Fundamentals Of Radiation Dosimetry | 3 |
| RADI 5015 | Physics Of Diagnostic Imaging 1 | 3 |
| RADI 6030 | Physics Of Radiotherapy | 3 |
| RADI 7077 | Ethics, Leadership and Vision | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 | |
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credit Hours | |
| RADI 5007 | Statistics in the Radiological Sciences | 2 |
| RADI 5020 | Principles of Health Physics 1 | 3 |
| RADI 5090 | Radiological Sciences Seminar | 1 |
| RADI 6012 | Phys Nuclear Medi Imaging | 3 |
| RADI 6024 | Radiological Anatomy & Physiology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| RADI 5025 | Molecular Oncology & Radiobiology | 3 |
| RADI 6021 | Prin/Health Physics 2 | 3 |
| RADI 6097 | Research | 3 |
| RADI 5090 | Radiological Sciences Seminar | 1 |
| RADI 6049 | Intro To Magnetic Resonance | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 | |
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Credit Hours | |
| RADI 5018 | Physics Measurements In Imaging Lab | 2 |
| RADI 6098 | Thesis | 6 |
| RADI 6016 | Physics of Diagnostic Imaging 2 | 3 |
| RADI 6071 | Supervised Teaching | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12.0 | |
Objectives/Program Outcomes
- Proficiency in Core Biomedical and Medical Health Physics Principles
- Capacity to Conduct Biomedical Research
- Critically Review and Interpret Research Literature
- Demonstrate Competence in Written Communication
- Demonstrate Competence in Verbal Communication
- Conduct Research in an Ethical Manner
RADI 5001. Basic Radiation Safety. 1 Credit Hour.
This course provides the student with the opportunity to gain a conceptual understanding of the radiation protection principles involved in the research, diagnostic, and therapeutic uses of radiation sources. This course will cover the safe receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radiation sources in the biomedical research setting. The contents of this course fulfill HSC training requirements in order to use radioactive materials on campus. Successful participants will earn three HSC safety certificates of completion: Basic Radiation Safety Training, Basic Laser Safety Training, and Basic Laboratory Safety Training.
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 5007. Statistics in the Radiological Sciences. 2 Credit Hours.
An overview of biomedical statistics methods and basic applications to experimental design with special emphasis given to those methods used in radiation detection, image analysis, and evaluations of diagnostic efficacy. Students will learn the theory behind these methods and apply them to actual and simulated problems in the Radiological Sciences using the R statistical programming environment.
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 5018. Physics Measurements In Imaging Lab. 2 Credit Hours.
This is a laboratory course focusing on performance of measurements used in quality assurance (QA), system characterization, and acceptance testing of medical imagers.
Corequisites: RADI 5015.
RADI 5020. Principles of Health Physics 1. 3 Credit Hours.
This course covers the basic principles of protection dealing with the major forms of ionizing radiation.
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 5090. Radiological Sciences Seminar. 1-9 Credit Hours.
Enrolled students are required to attend a minimum of 9 faculty/outside speaker seminars per semester and complete an evaluation sheet on each seminar attended. To fulfill the number of seminars, students may include seminars offered by disciplines other than their own. A list of seminars of interest to the students will be supplied on the first class day. Students must also prepare a PowerPoint presentation on a Radiological Sciences topic and present their seminar for critique by program faculty and students. By the end of this course, each student should be able to: 1) Demonstrate competence in verbal communication. 2) Demonstrate competence in written communication. 3) Critically review research literature and analyze scientific data.
RADI 6012. Phys Nuclear Medi Imaging. 3 Credit Hours.
This course is a study of physical principles of planar, SPECT, and PET radionuclide imaging; instrument theory; dosimetry; computer uses; and safety considerations.
RADI 6016. Physics of Diagnostic Imaging 2. 3 Credit Hours.
This course includes theory and applications of various forms of electronic imaging systems; advanced diagnostic imaging principles involving mathematical image analysis, digital image processing, digital image display, and concepts of electronic imaging.
Prerequisites: consent of instructor.
RADI 6021. Prin/Health Physics 2. 3 Credit Hours.
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.
RADI 6049. Intro To Magnetic Resonance. 2 Credit Hours.
This course presents the basics of the practice of magnetic resonance as the experimentalist or clinician first meets them. The approach begins with images, equipment, and scanning protocols. The student will have the opportunity to face issues pertinent to practice with theoretical background added as experience grows. Through this approach, key ideas are introduced in an intuitive style that is faithful to the underlying physics.
RADI 6071. Supervised Teaching. 1-12 Credit Hours.
This course is a presentation of lectures and supervised teaching under the direction of faculty.
RADI 6097. Research. 1-12 Credit Hours.
This course is supervised research under the guidance of a faculty member.
RADI 6098. Thesis. 1-12 Credit Hours.
Registration for at least two terms is required for M.S. candidates.
Prerequisites: admission to candidacy for the Master of Science degree.
RADI 7077. Ethics, Leadership and Vision. 2 Credit Hours.
This foundational course introduces students to the core ethical content necessary for responsible research conduct. It will also provide basic knowledge on negotiations, professionalism, leadership, effective communication, etc. Open for Cross Enrollment on Space Available Basis.