College: Graduate School of Health Sciences

Medical physics focuses on applying physics principles to medicine, specifically in diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy, and health physics. Students develop skills in radiation safety, medical imaging, dosimetry, and quality assurance. Graduates are prepared to work in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and regulatory bodies.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the fundamentals of medical physics, including radiological physics, medical imaging, and radiotherapy.
• Develop skills in radiation safety, dosimetry, and quality assurance.
• Learn medical imaging techniques, including X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine.
• Explore the principles of health physics, radiation protection, and regulatory compliance.
• Analyze and interpret complex medical physics data and research findings.
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and technical skills for effective medical physics practice.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Medical Physics
   • Overview of key concepts, principles, and applications in medical physics.
   • Basics of radiological physics, medical imaging, and radiotherapy.
2. Radiological Physics
   • Principles of radiological physics, including types of radiation, interactions with matter, and radiation detection.
   • Techniques for understanding and managing radiation sources and interactions.
3. Medical Imaging
   • Basics of medical imaging, including X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine.
   • Techniques for performing and interpreting various medical imaging procedures.
4. Radiotherapy
   • Principles of radiotherapy, including treatment planning, dosimetry, and quality assurance.
   • Techniques for designing and delivering radiotherapy treatments.
5. Health Physics and Radiation Protection
   • Principles of health physics and radiation protection, and safety measures.
   • Techniques to ensure radiation safety for patients, workers, and the environment.
6. Dosimetry and Quality Assurance
   • Basics of dosimetry, radiation measurement, and quality assurance in medical physics.
   • Techniques for performing dosimetry calculations and ensuring quality control in medical imaging and radiotherapy.
7. Research Methods in Medical Physics
   • Principles of research methods, experimental design, and data analysis in medical physics.
   • Techniques for conducting and presenting research in medical physics.
8. Practical Training in Medical Physics
   • Hands-on experiences in medical physics, including observations, internships, and practical projects in hospitals, clinics, or research institutions.
   • Applying acquired skills in real-world medical physics scenarios.
9. Graduation Project in Medical Physics
   • A comprehensive project to apply skills in medical imaging, radiotherapy, or health physics.
   • Presentation of a polished research project, clinical case study, or technical analysis.

Assessment Methods:

• Research papers, radiological physics analyses, medical imaging projects, radiotherapy plans, health physics reports, dosimetry calculations, quality assurance plans, research methodology projects, practical training reports, graduation projects, group projects, and internship evaluations.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Principles of Radiation Protection" by various authors.
• "Medical Imaging: Physics and Psychophysics" by various authors.
• "The Physics of Radiation Therapy" by Faiz M. Khan.
• "Health Physics: Principles of Radiation Protection" by Herman Cember and Donald E. Johnson.
• "Dosimetry and Quality Assurance in Medical Physics" by various authors.
• "Research Methods in Medical Physics" by various authors.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of physics, mathematics, and biology. Suitable for students interested in medical physics, radiotherapy, and medical imaging.

Duration:

Typically 4 years to obtain a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, practical training, and internships. Additional specialist training or a master's degree may be required for advanced practice.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in medical physics and pursue additional education or professional certifications, such as a master's or Ph.D. in medical physics, or certification from the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or similar organizations.

Target Audience:

Aspiring medical physicists, radiation therapists, medical imaging specialists, and individuals seeking careers in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. This specialty equips students with the theoretical, experimental, and technical skills needed to excel in medical physics, supporting careers in hospitals, clinics, research institutions, and regulatory bodies.