Nov 08, 2024

2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Medical Physics PhD

The medical physics graduate program leads to an MS and/or PhD degree, through the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, in association with the Department of Radiology. The program’s goal is to provide a sound academic foundation and practical experience for those planning to pursue a career in research, teaching or clinical medical physics, in either of the sub-specialty areas of medical imaging physics, therapeutic radiation physics, or nuclear medicine physics. Graduates are prepared for careers in these subspecialties or the continuation of their education in a postgraduate or residency program.

PhD Program Requirements

Credit Hours

A total of at least 72 credit hours are required for the PhD degree. Of this total, at least 30 credit hours must be earned in formal didactic coursework (including letter-graded Independent Study), as well as including 4 credit hours in Seminar plus at least 2 credit hours Medical Physics Practicum (at least 1 in each of imaging and therapy physics); excluded are Research, Thesis Guidance, Supervised Teaching, and (unless receiving a priori approval under special circumstances) pass/fail Independent Study courses. Where appropriate, didactic course credits may be transferred from other graduate programs.

Course Requirements and Sample Schedule

The following courses, where graded, must be successfully completed with the achievement of a grade of B or better.

Required of all students in the Medical Physics Program:

MDY 605SEM - Med Physics Seminar 1 Credits: 1
MDY 606SEM - Med Physics Seminar Credits: 1
MDY 607LAB - Med Physics Practicum 1 Credits: 1 - 6
MDY 608SEM - Med Physics Practicum 2 Credits: 1 - 6
NMD 527LEC - Radiation Biology Credits: 2
MDY 508LEC - Med Imag Anat/Physiol Credits: 3
MDY 504LEC - Physics of Med Imaging 1 Credits: 3
MDY 506LEC - Physics of Med Imaging 2 Credits: 3
MDY 566LEC - Med Phys Img Problems Credits: 3
MDY 547LEC - Radtherapy Medphysics 1 Credits: 3
MDY 571LEC - Nucmed Imaging 1 Credits: 3
MDY 610LEC - Professionalism and Ethics in Medical Physics Credits: 1
Substitution of a more advanced course(s) is only upon approval by the adviser and program director.

An additional 3-credit elective in the students chosen specialty area is required for PhD students and may be chosen for example from one of the following:

Medical Imaging Physics

BE 562LEC - Engineering Principles of Computed Tomography Credits: 3
MDY 575LEC - Adv Diag Med Imag Physics Credits: 3
MDY 522LEC - Image Formation & Processing Credits: 3
RPG 542LEC - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Credits: 3

Therapeutic Radiation Physics

MDY 550LEC - Radtherapy Medphysics 2 Credits: 3
MDY 560LEC - Advanced Radiation Therapy Physics Credits: 3

Nuclear Medicine Physics

Other Electives

The following courses may be used as elective upon approval by the advisor:

MDY 600TUT - Independent Study Credits: 1 - 12
MDY 607LAB - Med Physics Practicum 1 Credits: 1 - 6
MDY 608SEM - Med Physics Practicum 2 Credits: 1 - 6
MDY 682LAB - Research Credits: 1 - 19
MAE 578LEC - Cardiovascular Biomechans Credits: 3
You may take other courses in radiation biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, neuroscience, bio-surface science, biostatistics with permission of your adviser.

Qualified students may petition for a waiver of the requirement for any specific course upon the basis of the completion of an equivalent course with a grade of B or higher.

Students may be subject to a comprehensive examination once completing all core medical physics courses.

Sample Course Schedule

Doctoral Requirements: 72 total credits plus thesis

72 Credits: 21 didactic + 3 additional didactic in specialty + 4 (min) MP Seminar + 2 (min) MP Practicum

+ Additional credits can include Research and Thesis Preparation

Semester 4: Spring

MDY 566LEC - Med Phys Img Problems Credits: 3
MDY 508LEC - Med Imag Anat/Physiol Credits: 3
or
BPR 572 - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 3 Credits
MDY 606SEM - Med Physics Seminar Credits: 1
MDY 582 - Research, (variable credits per semester)

Other Course Listings

MDY 522LEC - Image Formation & Processing Credits: 3
MDY 600TUT - Independent Study Credits: 1 - 12
Thesis Preparation (credits vary)

Seminar

Doctoral students are required to register for credit in Seminar for at least 4 semesters. In addition, attendance at the Medical Physics Program seminar series is expected of all students throughout the duration of their graduate programs. During this period, each student is expected to present at least one seminar.

Total Credit Hours: 72

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time
Part Time

Credits Required

72 Hours

Time-To-Degree

4 to 5 Years

Application Fee

$85

Admissions Tests**

GRE

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.

** At least one of the admissions tests are required for admission. Test and score requirements/exceptions vary by program. Contact the department for details.