Health and Medical Physics
Overview
Health and medical physics programs teach people how to apply nuclear physics to medicine and public health protection.Health and medical physics programs teach people to apply physics and nuclear medicine to diagnose and treat public health issues. Students learn about the dangers of radioactive atoms as well as the safety standards for radiation use. In the case of medical physics, they also learn how to research, diagnose, and treat radiation-related problems.
Health and medical physics programs include topics such as:
- Radiation biophysics
- Biophysics
- Health effects of radiation
- Environmental radioactivity
- Nuclear physics
- Computer applications and medical informatics
Schools
Very few colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in health and medical physics. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
Many universities offer graduate degrees in health and medical physics. A master’s degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master’s degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Chemistry
- Medical Imaging Technology
- Medicine
- Nuclear Medical Technology
- Physics
- Physiology
- Radiation Therapy
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Advanced Algebra courses
- Advanced Biology courses
- Advanced Calculus courses
- Advanced Chemistry courses
- Advanced Physics courses
- Advanced Trigonometry courses
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Math
- Computer Technology
- General Computer Applications
- Life and Physical Sciences Lab Assistant
- Physical Science
- Probability and Statistics
- Science Technology and Engineering
- Trigonometry
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General. You should major in a natural sciences field such as physics or chemistry, or in engineering. If you don't major in any of these subjects, you should take several undergraduate courses in math and science, including:
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
- Biology
- Calculus
- General Chemistry
- Classical Mechanics
- Differential Equations
- Electromagnetism
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
You may want to take the GRE Physics subject test. It's not required, but it would help show an admissions committee your expertise in general physics.
You also need to submit letters of recommendation.
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Anatomy and Oncology for Medical Physics
- Applied Health Physics
- Chemical Principles and Measurements
- Electronics
- Environmental Health Physics
- Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry
- Health Physics
- Math for Medical Physics
- Medical Imaging
- Molecular Basis of Carcinogenesis
- Nuclear Engineering
- Nuclear Medicine
- Physics of Positron Emission Tomography
- Probability and Statistics
- Radiation Shielding
- Radioactive Waste Management
- Radiation Biology
- Radiation Detection, Instrumentation, and Data Analysis
- Radiation Dosimetry
- Radiation Physics
Graduate Program Courses
Course work in graduate programs that lead to a master's or doctoral degree varies but typically includes the following:
- Required courses
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Comprehensive oral and written exams (doctoral degree)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
In addition, in a medical physics program, you're usually required to complete a few clinical rotations in radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging. This gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and sharpen your skills in clinical settings under the supervision of an experienced physician or medical physicist.
Some health physics programs offer opportunities for internships where you'd be under the supervision of an experienced health physicist. You could, for example, work in a nuclear power plant and monitor the equipment to make sure it's functioning properly.
Things to Know
Working with radioactive atoms means exposure to radiation. In this program, you learn the proper safety procedures to protect yourself.
Schools
No information available.