phd medical physics usa

Ph.D. in Medical Physics

General info.

• Faculty working with students: 59
• Students: 51
• Students receiving Financial Aid: 100% of PhD students
• Part time study available: No
• Application terms: Fall
• Application deadlines: December 2

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://medicalphysics.duke.edu

Program Description

The Medical Physics Graduate Program is an interdisciplinary program sponsored by five departments: radiology, radiation oncology, physics, biomedical engineering, and occupational and environmental safety (health physics). Four academic tracks are offered: diagnostic imaging physics, radiation oncology physics, nuclear medicine physics, and health physics. There are currently 51 faculty members associated with the program, and many of these are internationally recognized experts in their fields of study.

The program has available one of the best medical centers in the United States, with outstanding facilities in radiology and radiation oncology for the clinical training elements of the programs. The program has 5,000 square feet of dedicated educational space in the Hock Plaza Building and access to state-of-the-art imaging and radiation therapy equipment in the clinical departments.

Existing equipment and facilities include:

• radiation oncology equipment for 3-D treatment planning, image guided therapy, and intensity modulated radiation therapy;
• radiation protection lab equipment (whole body counter, high resolution germanium gamma detector, liquid scintillation counter);
• dedicated equipment for radiation dosimetry;
• nuclear medicine cameras and scanners in PET and SPECT;
• digital imaging laboratories with dedicated equipment for physics and clinical research in digital radiography and CT;
• the Ravin Advanced Imaging Laboratories;
• the Center for In Vivo Microscopy;
• laboratories for monoclonal antibody imaging and therapy;
• excellent resources for MRI imaging (including a research MR scanner, the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center, and the Center for Advanced Magnetic Resonance Development); and
• ultrasound laboratories in biomedical engineering.

The program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP).

• Medical Physics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

Application Information

Application Terms Available:  Fall

Application Deadlines:  December 2

Graduate School Application Requirements See the Application Instructions page for important details about each Graduate School requirement.

• Transcripts: Unofficial transcripts required with application submission; official transcripts required upon admission
• Letters of Recommendation: 3 Required
• Statement of Purpose: Required (See department guidance below)
• Résumé: Required
• GRE Scores: GRE General (Optional)
• English Language Exam: TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test required* for applicants whose first language is not English *test waiver may apply for some applicants
• GPA: Undergraduate GPA calculated on 4.0 scale required

Writing Sample None required

Additional Components To help us learn more about you, please plan a video response to the following question:

How would a Duke PhD training experience help you achieve your academic and professional goals? (max video length 2 minutes). When you are ready, please use the Video Essay tab in the application to record your video.

We strongly encourage you to review additional department-specific application guidance from the program to which you are applying:  Departmental Application Guidance

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Medical Physics Graduate Program (CAMPEP Accredited)

School of Health Sciences

Register for our upcoming Virtual Medical Physics Graduate Program Open House now. This event will take place on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 3-4 PM on Zoom. Unable to join us? Register to receive more information.

Medical physics is an applied branch of physics that applies physical energy to the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Professional medical physicists are involved in clinical service, consultation, research and teaching.

At Purdue, the medical physics graduate program provides a strong foundation in radiological and applied physics training within the medical physics profession — but also offers advanced coursework, clinical laboratories, internships and opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research. The medical physics program is closely aligned with biophysics, biomedical engineering, medicine and health physics (radiation protection and control).

Our goal is to provide courses and experience with clinical systems to enhance problem-solving skills and individual thought to further advance the field of medical physics.

The Purdue medical physics program is CAMPEP -accredited.

Program Highlights

Meet and learn from your peers by joining the Medical Physics Club of Purdue or the Purdue Association for Magnetic Resonance .

Program Statistics

• 2023 to 2027 (PDF)
• 2018 to 2022 (PDF)
• 2012 to 2017 (PDF)

A program must publicly describe the program and the achievements of its graduates and students, preferably through a publicly accessible web site. This information must be updated no less often than annually and must include, for each degree program (MS and/or PhD), the number of: applicants to the program, students offered admission, students matriculated, and graduates. Where possible, information on the destinations of graduates must also be provided, i.e., residencies, industry positions, etc.

Student Papers and Presentations

Semester Meeting

• Presentation

• You will be integrated into faculty laboratories and clinical facilities to work with faculty on a variety of research projects to advance disease diagnosis and treatment.
• Clinical laboratories and internships are available in therapeutic and diagnostic physics at the Purdue Life Science MRI facility, in radiology at Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine and at Memorial Medical Hospital and in radiation oncology at the Indiana University School of Medicine Hospital.
• Advanced coursework is offered in oncology, MRI theory and acquisition, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, PET/SPECT imaging and more.

Potential Careers

• Scientist in industries associated with radiological and radiation therapy equipment and support
• Scientist within state and federal government agencies
• Therapeutic medical physicist
• Diagnostic medical physicist
• Medical health physicist

Concentrations

Program quick facts.

Degree Type: Certificate, Master’s, Doctoral

Program Length : Certificate: 9 months (only students with prior PhD are eligible) Master’s: 2

PhD: 4-5 years entering with BS, 2-3 years entering with MS

Location : West Lafayette, IN

Department/School : School of Health Sciences

You will have the opportunity to work directly with medical physics faculty on interdisciplinary projects to advance understanding of image-guided and biology-based therapy; diagnostic imaging of cancer, neurological function and disease; and new uses of particle beams in detection and treatment.

• Ulrike Dydak
• Oluwaseyi (Seyi) Oderinde
• Matthew Scarpelli
• Aaron Specht
• Keith Stantz

Research Opportunities

• MRI and MRS in diagnosis of neurotoxicity and radiation response
• Neutron and X-ray technologies for human body composition, disease diagnoses, and radiotherapy
• Imaging and tracer development in PET and SPECT
• Dynamic contrast enhanced imaging (CT, PCT) and thermoacoustic in image-guided therapy
• IMRT and normal tissue response to radiation therapy

Research Areas

• Health physics (radiation protection)
• Imaging sciences
• Medical physics
• Occupational and environmental health sciences (industrial hygiene, ergonomics)

Research Facilities

• Life Science MRI facility
• The Birck Nanotechnology Center
• The Bindley Bioscience Center
• The Regenstrief Center for Healthcare Engineering
• Purdue’s Center for the Environment

Admissions/Requirements

Applications submitted prior to January 10, 2023 will be considered for fellowships and awards .

Applicants to the MP program are expected to have an undergraduate degree in physics, engineering or comparable academic training, such as Purdue’s B.S. degree in Pre-Medical Physics. Minimum undergraduate coursework typically include:

• Analytic Geometry and Calculus (2 semester sequence), Multivariate Calculus and Differential Equations (1 semester)
• General Chemistry (2 semester sequence)
• Fundamentals of Biology (2 semester sequence)
• Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 semester sequence)
• Modern Mechanics, Electricity and Optics, Electricity and Optics Laboratory, Modern Physics, Modern Physics Lab, Intermediate Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics
• Elementary Statistical Methods

Students that have not completed prior coursework in anatomy and physiology upon entry into the program are required to take a 2-semester sequence of anatomy and physiology (BIOL 301/302 or BIOL 203/204). Alternate plans of study are available for students that do not have the equivalent of a B.S. or minor in physics. Students with other deficiencies in their undergraduate curriculum may be accepted or conditionally accepted into the program at the discretion of Head of the School. Students accepted on a conditional basis may be required to take additional 100, 200, 300 or 400 level classes to address coursework deficiencies. A grade of B or better in all 100, 200, 300 or 400 level classes and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better at Purdue University is required for students accepted on a conditional basis. Upon completing the identified deficiencies, the Head of the School, in consultation with the RHS Program Director and GC Chair, re-evaluate the admission status of conditionally accepted students and either accept or deny admission into the MP graduate program. Conditionally accepted students that are ultimately denied admission into the MP program are counseled on possibly alternate degree paths at Purdue as well as alternative career paths.

Ulrike Dydak | Program Director

For questions regarding the medical physics graduate program, please contact our graduate coordinator, Karen Walker, at [email protected] .

Medical Physics

Professional doctorate, professional doctorate in medical physics: unparalleled training for clinical leadership.

If you’re looking for excellent training for a clinical career in diagnostic imaging physics, Vanderbilt is the place for you.

Our Doctorate in Medical Physics (DMP) became the first accredited program in the United States, and we’ve stayed on the cutting edge of medical physics ever since.

In our DMP program, you’ll dive into:

• Two years of rigorous, interactive coursework (Y1-2)
• 200+ hours of practical hours in clinic (Y1-2)
• Monthly rotations through diverse clinical settings (Y3-4)
• Preparation for success on the 3-part ABR board certification exam (Y4)
• Networking and faculty mentorship to support you through all four years

Want to see what your path through the DMP could look like? Learn about our curriculum and community in the first two years.

The DMP Community – Meet your new family

With a small group of dedicated trainees and an entire cast of expert faculty, the DMP program at Vanderbilt is a community like no other.

• Thrive in our small-group learning environments. Because of our small program size, most of your classes will include 2 to 5 students, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity for one-on-one instruction and direct feedback.
• Collaborate with students and faculty from both therapy and imaging tracks to gain the big picture of medical physics.
• Train under the interdisciplinary expertise of our experienced faculty, who are passionate about classroom and clinical learning.

Our alumni have countless stories of faculty members who made them feel like family, older students who helped them troubleshoot problems in clinic, and clinicians who valued their opinion from Day 1.

Your Path through the DMP: Years 1-2

In the Vanderbilt DMP, you’ll start off with two years of graduate coursework and practical experiences in clinic.

Coursework: Laying the Foundations These two years of coursework are all about laying the theoretical groundwork for your future clinical practice.

• Learn the physics behind the technologies and diagnoses practiced every day in diagnostic imaging
• Build your interprofessional communication skills as you prepare for presentations, oral exams, and discussion-centered seminars
• Grow interprofessional relationships in your classes with MSMP therapy and imaging classmates
• Take purposeful time to reflect with built-in opportunities for feedback from peers and faculty
• In spring of Year 2, take your oral qualifying exam, a longstanding academic tradition to demonstrate your mastery of the subject matter so far.

At the end of these two years, you’ll have the earned the equivalent of a Master of Science Degree in Medical Physics (MSMP in passing) as you move on to years 3 and 4.

Though lectures from expert faculty certainly build your knowledge base, student participation and collaborative teaching opportunities are at the heart of our curriculum.

Practicum: Hands-on in Clinic Though your first two years in the DMP focus on coursework, you’ll also jump into clinical experience to put this learning into practice.

Over your 200+ hours in clinic, your responsibilities will slowly build up so that, by the end of Year 2, you’ll be equipped to perform residency-level tasks in diagnostic imaging.

• Work with and test the wide variety of state-of-the-art imaging equipment housed at VUMC
• Interact with our advanced modalities — from MRI to mammography machines — at VUMC’s main location and our satellite locations around Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area
• Learn to calibrate and troubleshoot a variety of diagnostic imaging technologies
• See firsthand what day-to-day life looks like as a medical physics resident

Throughout your practicum hours, our expert faculty will be providing guidance, direct feedback, and support each step of the way.

Your Path through the DMP: Years 3-4

After completing your two years of coursework, you’re ready to dive into two years of diagnostic imaging residency at Vanderbilt’s medical center.

Clinical Rotations: Building towards clinical competency Your third year marks the transition from didactic learning to supervised clinical responsibility. The skills you practiced in your clinical practicum during Years 1 and 2 will come into play on an everyday basis as you:

Rotate to new clinical settings each month

These rotations introduce you to the wide range of diagnostic imaging work. You’ll typically spend a few hours each day on rotation, with outside time set aside for completing clinic-related tasks and meeting with faculty advisers.

Your rotations will include months in:

• Radiography
• Pediatric imaging
• Nuclear medicine

Learn from the guidance of expert clinicians at VUMC

• Year 3: Collaborate closely with the technologists in your clinical rotations, including x-ray technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, and sonographers.
• Year 4: Partner with the radiologists in your clinical rotations to see how images are used to diagnose disease and inform patient care.

Explore specialty medical physics care at our satellite locations throughout Nashville and the Middle Tennessee area. As you rotate through these satellite locations, you’ll get a taste for different clinical dynamics and team strategies.

Continue theoretical exploration by taking an optional elective class each year. Join departmental meetings to learn how medical physics faculty manage a balance of clinical, research, and teaching work. You’ll work closely with both technologists and radiologists in your future clinical practice, so Years 3 and 4 are the perfect time to build your strengths as an interprofessional team member and clinician.

Kenji Nanto is a third-year student in the Doctor of Medical Physics program passionate about medical imaging through hands-on training.

“Having literal hands-on experience is what I feel I’m most getting out of this degree by coming to Vanderbilt,” Nanto said. “I’m not sure if all schools do it, but Vanderbilt does, and I get four solid years with individualized attention makes it seem less like school and more like career training.”

Nanto shadows and observes radiation technologists in all departments that use diagnostic imaging technologies like x-ray, CT, MRI, and other modalities.

“These opportunities have given me many instances to really get a feeling of how I, as a physicist, can bring value to them, to the radiologists and most importantly the patients,” he said. “Really keeping an eye on the big picture of my (future) job.”

Read more about Kenji and his training at VUSM.

Research: Explore the Cutting Edge of Medical Physics

In your future practice, other professionals in your clinic space will look to you as an expert in imaging technology and techniques— and that’s why research experience during your DMP is so crucial.

In your path through the DMP, you’ll complete 6 credit hours of research, leading to a research manuscript and public presentation to faculty and other students.

Your research work will also provide opportunities to travel to regional and national conferences to present your work as well as build networks across institutions.

During your research months, you will:

• Develop a close working relationship with an expert faculty member as your research adviser
• Delve into the diverse areas covered by medical physics research
• Stay on the cutting edge of the field by further exploring the newest tools and techniques
• Network with researchers from other disciplines whose research touches on your work
• Craft an academic article that describes the work you’ve done, ready to submit for publication
• Create an oral presentation summarizing your research

Your research experience here will train you in innovative thinking and academic scholarship, equipping you for leadership in the field.

What’s Next?

After completing a DMP in diagnostic imaging, you’ll be equipped to:

Complete the 3-part ABR board certification exam :

• Part 1: a computer-based exam generally taken immediately after completing your two years of coursework
• Part 2: a computer-based exam focusing on specialty-specific knowledge in diagnostic imaging, generally taken immediately after the end of your fourth year
• Part 3: an oral exam covering the same knowledge base as Part 2, generally taken one year after passing Part 2.

Step into a full-time medical physicist position, equipped to move forward as both a competent leader and a curious life-long learner.

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Department of Radiation Oncology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Physics

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Physics program at Washington University in St. Louis provides for students to learn fundamental concepts and techniques, and perform academic research in the field of medical physics. The program is geared towards undergraduates with a strong background in physics and mathematics, graduate students with a physics and mathematics background from fields outside of medical physics, as well as continuing learners with a CAMPEP-accredited Master’s level degree in Medical Physics. Students in the program will be exposed to a wide array of diagnostic medical imaging, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and radiation safety approaches and techniques, and will perform cutting-edge research with renowned investigators. These experiences will equip students with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to further their careers in clinical and/or academic medical physics.

Graduates of the program will:

• Gain a solid academic foundation for a career in medical physics in any of the focus areas of medical physics, including medical imaging, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine.
• Develop skills to become independent investigators and perform cutting-edge research.
• Pose new questions and solve problems in medical physics.
• Generate innovative ideas and conduct research to improve the quality and safety in clinical physics.

The program will also help develop the professional and interpersonal skills necessary for success in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. The program has adopted the  AAPM’s  philosophy of  medical physics 3.0 , which is based on developing intelligent tools and applications for the future of precision medicine, and has been developed based on anticipating the future needs of the medical applications of physics. Through a mixture of didactic training, research training, and hands-on experience, students in the program are introduced to a broad array of cutting-edge tools and techniques and their use in the various disciplines of medical physics and patient care.  Students in the PhD in Medical Physics program will furthermore learn how to develop new techniques, approaches, and technology to contribute to the continued evolution of the field of medical physics.

The objectives of the PhD in Medical Physics program are:

• To prepare students to become independent investigators in the field of medical physics and be able to drive their own research programs by exposing them to cutting-edge research and state-of-the art technology.
• To equip students with sufficient theoretical and practical background knowledge in medical physics to enable entry into CAMPEP-accredited clinical residency programs or to pursue careers in academic, industrial, or regulatory environments.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics program endeavors to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for individuals of all backgrounds and lifestyles, in accordance with Washington University School of Medicine’s focus on fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.  Washington University School of Medicine’s culture of collaboration and inclusion is the foundation for success in everything it does. The School of Medicine recognizes that by bringing together people from varying backgrounds, experiences and areas of expertise, it can develop richer solutions to complex scientific questions, train culturally sensitive clinicians and provide health care in a way that best serves our diverse patient population. To support these values, the School of Medicine is deeply committed to building a diverse and inclusive community in which everyone is welcomed and valued. Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid and employment regardless of race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ability, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, socio-economic status, and/or genetic information. We implement policies and practices that support the inclusion of all such potential students, trainees and employees and are committed to being an institution that is accessible to everyone who learns, conducts research, works and seeks care on our campus and we provide reasonable accommodations to those seeking that assistance.

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Wayne State University

School of medicine, medical physics medical physics, ph.d. in medical physics.

GENERAL INFO

Jay Burmeister, PhD, DABR, FAAPM Director, Medical Physics Graduate Program Wayne State University School of Medicine

The curriculum consists of 60 post baccalaureate graduate course credits, including the required courses, with at least 30 credits at the 7000 level and above.  Students must successfully complete the Qualifying Examination and an Oral Exam.  After qualifying, 30 research and dissertation credits must be taken, including oral dissertation defense. Thus, the entire program consists of 90 graduate credits.  It is essential that the PhD Dissertation represent original research work which must be presented at a Public Defense lecture.  Also, all students will be encouraged to complete a (non-credit) Clinical Internship.

The PhD program in Medical Physics is designed to train graduate students with a background in Physics, Engineering, or related science to become medical physicists practicing in research and clinical service in Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, and/or Nuclear Medicine.  Our objectives are to remain one of the top medical physics educational programs in North America, to produce leaders and innovators in the advancement of the technical aspects of medical care, and to place our graduates in high quality research and clinical positions in the academic and health care professions.  In doing so, our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of health care in Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, and/or Nuclear Medicine.

PREREQUISITES

In addition to the prerequisites for the Master's program :

• Graduate Record Examination: Subject Test in Physics (recommended).

REQUIRED COURSEWORK

All the required M.S. courses , (with the exception of ROC 7999) plus:

plus additional didactic coursework to meet requirements (some electives listed below):

SAMPLE ELECTIVE COURSES

PH.D. QUALIFYING EXAM

The PhD Qualifying Examination is usually taken by students after completion of all the required courses and is one of the requirements which must be successfully completed before being admitted to candidacy for the degree. The examination is in two parts, both written. Before taking the exam the student must have filed a Plan of Work with the Graduate School. The written exam consists of a four-hour (Part I) Radiological Physics Exam based on the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (Board) Exam, followed by a four-hour (Part II) exam on problem solving in Medical Physics based upon the required ROC courses within the program.  The passing requirements are the same for both the Part I and Part II exams.  The examinee must achieve an average score of 70% for each exam, and must score at least 50% on all questions.

All questions for the Part I exam are selected from a bank of about 100 questions assembled into six topic groups. The exam consists of six questions, one question from each group being selected randomly for each exam. Candidates must answer four of the six questions. Copies of the Question Booklet are provided to all Ph.D. students by the Program Director. For the Part II Exam, questions are divided into three sections: (1) Diagnostic Imaging & Nuclear Medicine, (2) Radiation Oncology Physics, and (3) Radiological Physics, Radiation Dosimetry, Radiation Safety, and Radiobiology.  The examinee will receive two questions in each section. Candidates must answer four of the six questions, with at least one question selected from each of the three sections.

Students register for the Qualifying Exam with the Program Director at least two months before the Part I exam.

For the Oral Examination, the student is expected to review a potential research program and is required to demonstrate an adequate command of knowledge of the field of study, with the ability to organize and apply that knowledge toward completion of the proposed research. The Oral Exam will normally be administered after the candidate has successfully completed the Qualifying Exam, but no more than one year after, and is just beginning to work on a potential dissertation research project.  It will consist of a public seminar followed by a closed dissertation committee meeting.  All PhD students will meet with their respective committees, at a minimum, once per year.  Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

CLINICAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The purpose of the clinical internship is to provide practical experience so that graduates will be immediately useful upon employment. Interns will gain clinical experience under the direction of program faculty at the Karmanos Cancer Center, along with potentially other area facilities.  An internship covering IMRT quality assurance will also be offered through Karmanos Cancer Center.  Arrangements will be made during the fall term.  Additional clinical opportunities may be secured by the individual students through faculty mentors.

TRANSFER OF CREDIT

Up to 30 credits may be transferred in from another accredited university to meet the didactic requirements of the PhD degree.

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Applying to the Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (MEMP) PhD Program

Passionate about the place where science, engineering, and medicine intersect earn a phd grounded in quantitative science or engineering, combined with extensive training in biomedical sciences and clinical practice..

Learn how to apply below, or explore the program further .

Who should apply?

HST thrives when it reflects the community it serves. We encourage students from groups historically underrepresented in STEMM, students with non-traditional academic backgrounds, and students from academic institutions that have not previously sent many students to Harvard and MIT to apply. 

What should I know before I apply?

The HST PhD Admissions Committee values new perspectives, welcoming students from a wide range of disciplines. Successful applicants will have a strong undergraduate background in an engineering discipline or a physical/quantitative science (for example, chemistry, physics, computer science, computational neuroscience).

In response to the challenges of teaching, learning, and assessing academic performance during the global COVID-19 pandemic, HST will take the significant disruptions of the outbreak in 2020 into account when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials as part of our regular practice of performing individualized, holistic reviews of each applicant.

In particular, as we review applications now and in the future, we will respect decisions regarding the adoption of Pass/No Record (or Credit/No Credit or Pass/Fail) and other grading options during the unprecedented period of COVID-19 disruptions, whether those decisions were made by institutions or by individual students. In addition, we do not accept GRE scores.  We expect that the individual experiences of applicants will richly inform applications and, as such, they will be considered with the entirety of a student’s record.

Ultimately, our goal remains to form graduate student cohorts that are collectively excellent and composed of outstanding individuals who will challenge and support one another.

How can I strengthen my application?

In addition to outstanding undergraduate performance, we look for students who have demonstrated a sustained interest in applications of engineering and physical/quantitative science to biology or medicine through classes, research, or work experience.

Are standardized tests required?

International applicants should review the additional requirements below.  We do not accept GRE or MCAT scores.

What about funding? 

HST MEMP is a fully-funded program. Students in good academic standing receive full financial support - consisting of living expenses, tuition, and health insurance - for the duration of their graduate studies. This support comes from a combination of fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships. For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the MIT Student Financial Services website .

MEMP PhD students enrolled through MIT can work in the labs of any Harvard or MIT faculty member, including those at the many local institutions affiliated with Harvard and with MIT . 

How do I apply?

All prospective MEMP PhD candidates must apply to HST via MIT.

Candidates who are simultaneously applying for graduate study with one of our partner units at Harvard - the Harvard Biophysics Graduate Program or the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) – may optionally follow these instructions to apply to participate in the MEMP curriculum in conjunction with their PhD at Harvard. This path is appropriate if you have a particular interest in the curriculum of Harvard's interdepartmental Biophysics Program, or if you’re interested in joining the lab of a Harvard SEAS faculty member to work on a SEAS-based project. 

How to apply

Applying to hst's memp phd program via mit.

Ready to take the next step with HST? You’ll submit your application through  MIT’s online application system . Our application will open and a link will be available here on August 1, 2024, for entry in fall 2025. Here’s what we’ll ask for:

1. Statement of objectives

Recommended Length: 800-1200 words

Please give your reasons for wishing to do graduate work in HST. Explain how your background has prepared you for this graduate program. Identify the research area(s) you plan to investigate during your graduate studies, the issues and problems you wish to address, and how HST's program supports your research interests. State your long-term professional goals and specify the unique aspects of the HST program that will help you to accomplish those goals.

• Prepare your Statement of Objectives in whatever format clearly presents your views.
• It is not necessary to name specific professors or labs you might want to join. HST requests that candiates wait to contact professors after applications have been reviewed.
• If applicable, describe any specific academic or research challenges you have overcome. The Admissions Committee will welcome any factors you wish to bring to its attention concerning your academic, research, and work experiences to date .

2. Personal Statement

Recommended Length: 400-800 words

The HST community is composed of individuals who come from a variety of backgrounds, may have faced personal challenges, and serve as leaders in society. Please discuss how your experiences and background inspire you to work for the betterment of your communities. Your response is not limited to, but may discuss, one or more of the following:

• Personal challenges that you may have faced and how they acted to inhibit your scholarly growth; 
• Strategies that you may have found or implemented to cope with challenges in your life or the lives of others;
• How you have fostered justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the past, or how you will in the future at HST and beyond

3. Your unofficial transcript(s)

Upload unofficial transcripts or grade reports from any school where you received or expect to receive a degree.

Please do not send official transcripts until you are invited to interview and prompted to submit them. More info here .

4. Letters of recommendation

Ask a minimum of three (and maximum of five) people to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf.

At least two letters should be from people well acquainted with your academic work and research capabilities. Your recommenders must upload their letters online by the application deadline. The letter should be on institutional letterhead and include a legible signature.

5. Resume/CV

The online application will prompt you to upload a resume or CV.

Additional Notes

We do not accept copies of journal articles, certificates, photographs, or any other materials; they will not be reviewed. 

Training programs

MEMP offers optional training programs in Neuroimaging and Bioastronautics . To express your interest, simply choose one of these specializations from the Areas of Research section in your online application. Otherwise, you should select MEMP, with no sub-specialty.

Fee Waivers

Applying to graduate school can present a financial obstacle for many qualified applicants. Application fee waivers are available for US citizens and permanent residents who meet eligibility requirements set by the MIT Office of Graduate Education.  All requests are made through the MIT Office of Graduate Education process. 

Information for applicants to Harvard

Joining hst's memp phd program via harvard.

Are you simultaneously applying for graduate study with one of our partner units at Harvard? If so, you may optionally apply to participate in the MEMP curriculum in conjunction with your PhD at Harvard.

1. In addition to your MIT application (instructions above), submit a full application to either the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) or the Program in Biophysics .

2. notify hst of your harvard application..

Upload a PDF copy of your completed Harvard application to your MIT HST graduate application. 

Ideally, Harvard applications should be included with an MIT application and uploaded by our December 1 deadline. If the Harvard application is completed after this for a later Harvard deadline, send a PDF to hst-phd-admissions [at] mit.edu (hst-phd-admissions[at]mit[dot]edu) . 

We will only accept and add Harvard applications until 5 pm (ET) on December 16 . We will not accept or consider joint admission for Harvard applications received after December 16.

Successful applicants to MEMP through Harvard must be accepted by both the Harvard program and HST. Candidates then have three options for enrollment

• Participate in both programs -  accept the offer from Harvard as your primary PhD and degree granting institution and notify HST that you will participate in the j oint program .
• MIT MEMP PhD only - decline the offer from Harvard and accept the MIT HST offer. MIT would be the primary and PhD degree granting institution.
• Harvard PhD only -  accept the offer from Harvard only and decline MIT HST offer for both the primary institution and joint program.

Information for international applicants

Here are a few additional things to consider when applying from abroad.

1. Transcripts  Submit transcripts as described elsewhere for all candidates. Transcripts that do not already include an English version must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

2. English language proficiency You are required to take either the IELTS, Cambridge English or TOEFL exam unless:

• English is your first language;
• You have received a degree from a high school, college, or university where English is the primary language of instruction;
• You are currently enrolled in a degree program where English is the primary language of instruction. 

More information here . 

All applications are evaluated without consideration of nationality or citizenship. Funding offers to admitted candidates are typically the same for domestic and international candidates.

Have Questions?

Please check our  PhD Admissions FAQ .

Still have questions?

Just email the  hst-phd-admissions [at] mit.edu (HST PhD Admissions staff) . We’re here to help.

Key Dates (all Eastern Time)

August 1, 2024 Fall 2025 Applications Open

October 9, 2024, at 12pm* Virtual PhD Admissions Information Session - Register here . The Zoom webinar invitation is sent to all registered participants closer to the time of the event.

November 6, 2024, at 12pm* Virtual PhD Admissions Information Session - Register here . The Zoom webinar invitation is sent to all registered participants closer to the time of the event.

December 1, 2024, at 11:59pm* Deadline for applications via MIT

Mid-January 2025 Promising applicants invited to interview

Late January 2025 Virtual Interviews

Mid-February 2025 Admission decisions released

Early March 2025 Open House for admitted applicants

April 15, 2025 Last day for applicants to declare admission decision

*All times are in ET

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• Medical Physics, PhD

One of the basic science departments of the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, the Department of Medical Physics offers comprehensive training in diagnostic and therapeutic medical physics and in health physics. Achievement of the PhD degree in this department reflects strong scholarship and research skills in one of the top medical physics programs in North America. Graduates are prepared for teaching and/or research positions in universities, national laboratories, or in the medical and nuclear technology industries. Graduates are also prepared for admission into medical physics residency programs to become board eligible for clinical medical physics positions.

Medical physicists may participate professionally in the treatment of patients, in advanced medical imaging and diagnostic procedures, or in related areas of research and teaching. Health physicists may operate radiation protection programs at nuclear industrial facilities, hospitals, or laboratories, or may perform research on methods of measuring ionizing radiations (i.e., dosimetry).

A unique quality of the medical physics program is the broad range of expertise and research interests of the faculty. Students receive training in diagnostic x-ray physics, x-ray computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy, nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, biomagnetism, medical ultrasound, elastography, radiation dosimetry, radiation treatment planning, and radiobiology.

The department also houses the Medical Radiation Research Center and the Accredited Dosimetry Calibration Laboratory, one of four in the U.S. accredited by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. In addition, the department provides clinical support services to the radiology and human oncology departments. It also operates a PET radiotracer production facility (with two cyclotrons available), a medical image analysis laboratory, and a small bore MRI scanner and photoacoustic ultrasound system in the Small Animal Imaging Facility. Each of these facilities provides unique training and support opportunities for graduate students. Access to state-of-the-art x-ray angiography, CT, MRI, and PET/CT and PET/MR systems is readily available.

The PhD degree is primarily a research degree that extends the student's depth of knowledge in one of the specialty areas. Faculty positions at universities, research positions, and an increasing number of clinical physics positions require the PhD degree. Medical physics faculty maintain close collaborative ties with faculty in other departments, including human oncology, radiology, cardiology, medicine, psychiatry, pharmacology, and biomedical engineering, broadening the scope of research opportunities open to medical physics students and providing access to sophisticated clinical facilities.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

About 80–90 applicants per year apply to the medical physics program. Each fall, the program admits 10–20 students.  This results in an average enrollment of approximately 100 students each semester. Less than one-tenth of the students pursue the MS degree as a terminal degree, and the remainder continue on to the PhD.

A bachelor's degree in physics is considered the best preparation for graduate study in medical physics, but majors such as nuclear engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, or chemistry may also be acceptable. The student's math background should include calculus, differential equations, linear algebra, and Fourier analysis, such as might be learned in modern optics or undergraduate quantum theory. Some facility in computer programming and electronic instrumentation is desirable. One year of chemistry, a year of biology, and an introductory course in physiology are also advantageous.

Beginning graduate students should start their studies in the fall semester, as the course sequence is based on that assumption. Students applying for admission should submit an online application and all supporting documentation by the application deadline to ensure consideration for admission and financial support to begin the following fall.

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Applications are judged on the basis of a student's previous academic record, research experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement of reasons for interest in graduate study in medical physics.

Application Materials

The application includes:

• The online application to the Graduate School
• Payment of the application fee
• Electronic copy of resume/CV (include awards, fellowships, and scholarships received, publications, volunteer activities, and research experience)
• Applicant data sheet
• your reasons for graduate study,
• why medical physics,
• your future career goals as it relates to a PhD (or MS) in medical physics,
• and your area(s) of research interest.
• It is advantageous to also research and include the faculty member(s) with whom you would like to work.
• Transcripts from all academic institutions of study (scan and upload)
• Recommendation letters from people who can attest to your ability to be successful in the PhD program due to your experience, academics, etc. Submitted electronically through the online application.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

The department typically supports 85%–95% of students enrolled in the medical physics graduate program through department or university fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, or NIH NRSA training grant appointments. All awards include a comprehensive health insurance program and remission of tuition. The student is responsible for segregated fees.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Mode of Instruction

Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses

Students will take MED PHYS 900 Journal Club and Seminar four semesters for 1 credit each semester for a total of 4 credits.

Students may use one credit of  MED PHYS 662 , MED PHYS 663 , MED PHYS 664 , MED PHYS 665 , or MED PHYS 666 .

MED PHYS 701 , MED PHYS 900 , and MED PHYS 990 do not satisfy this requirement.

Health Physics Pathway 1

In addition to the above requirements, students completing the Health Physics pathway must take the following courses:

An exemption from the Core Curriculum requirement requires the approval of the chair of the graduate committee.  If the entirety of the Core Curriculum is not taken, the student will not satisfy the CAMPEP Core Curriculum requirement.

These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate credits earned at other institutions.

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

Credits earned as a professional student at uw-madison (law, medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary careers), credits earned as a university special student at uw–madison.

For a graduate student in the Medical Physics Department who is a research assistant, fellow or trainee to be making satisfactory progress, they must:

• Obtain at least a 3.0 GPA in the most recent semester. Grades in all research courses and courses with grades of P, F, S or U are excluded from the average. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress will be dropped from the department. In exceptional cases, the chairperson may grant permission to continue for a specified probationary period.
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all courses taken while in the Medical Physics program and for all Department of Medical Physics courses. All research courses and all courses with grades of P, F, S or U are excluded from the average.
• Have taken the qualifier examination by the end of the 2nd semester of study. If a basic (low level) pass is not obtained on the first attempt, the second (and last) attempt to pass the qualifier examination must be made no later than the 4th semester.

Any student, who fails to meet the requirements of 1-3 above, will be placed on probation. Failure in the first semester of probation to obtain a 3.0 average for the semester and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 will result in termination unless the student's advisor requests and the department and the Graduate School approves, continued enrollment. The particular courses which count toward the GPA in any probation semester must be approved in writing by the student's advisor and the Medical Physics Graduate Committee Chairman in order for the work to count toward returning the student to good standing.

Advisor / Committee

Candidates must acquire a major professor/advisor by the beginning of the second semester of study.

Credits Per Term Allowed

Time Limits

The oral PhD qualifying examination should be taken by the end of the 4th semester, and the PhD preliminary examination should be taken by the end of the third year of study. Permission of the graduate committee is required if the PhD preliminary examination must be taken after the end of the third year. Defense of a dissertation is required within five years of successful completion of the PhD preliminary examination.

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS)  (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Grievance Policy for Graduate Programs in the School of Medicine and Public Health

Any student in a School of Medicine and Public Health graduate program who feels that they have been treated unfairly in regards to educational decisions and/or outcomes or issues specific to the graduate program, including academic standing, progress to degree, professional activities, appropriate advising, and a program’s community standards by a faculty member, staff member, postdoc, or student has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing of the grievance following these grievance procedures. Any student who discusses, inquiries about, or participates in the grievance procedure may do so openly and shall not be subject to intimidation, discipline, or retaliation because of such activity. Each program’s grievance advisor is listed on the “Research” tab of the SMPH intranet .

This policy does not apply to employment-related issues for Graduate Assistants in TA, PA and/or RA appointments.  Graduate Assistants will utilize the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) grievance process to resolve employment-related issues.

This policy does not apply to instances when a graduate student wishes to report research misconduct.  For such reports refer to the UW-Madison Policy for Reporting Research Misconduct for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Research Associates .

Requirements for Programs

The School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies requires that each graduate program designate a grievance advisor, who should be a tenured faculty member, and will request the name of the grievance advisor annually.  The program director will serve as the alternate grievance advisor in the event that the grievance advisor is named in the grievance.  The program must notify students of the grievance advisor, including posting the grievance advisor’s name on the program’s Guide page and handbook.

The grievance advisor or program director may be approached for possible grievances of all types.  They will spearhead the grievance response process described below for issues specific to the graduate program, including but not limited to academic standing, progress to degree, professional activities, appropriate advising, and a program’s community standards.  They will ensure students are advised on reporting procedures for other types of possible grievances and are supported throughout the reporting process.  Resources on identifying and reporting other issues have been compiled by the Graduate School.

• The student is advised to initiate a written record containing dates, times, persons, and description of activities, and to update this record while completing the procedures described below.
• If the student is comfortable doing so, efforts should be made to resolve complaints informally between individuals before pursuing a formal grievance.
• Should a satisfactory resolution not be achieved, the student should contact the program’s grievance advisor or program director to discuss the complaint. The student may approach the grievance advisor or program director alone or with a UW-Madison faculty or staff member. The grievance advisor or program director should keep a record of contacts with regards to possible grievances.  The first attempt is to help the student informally address the complaint prior to pursuing a formal grievance. The student is also encouraged to talk with their faculty advisor regarding concerns or difficulties.
• If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, the student may submit a formal grievance to the grievance advisor or program director in writing, within 60 calendar days from the date the grievant first became aware of, or should have become aware of with the exercise of reasonable diligence, the cause of the grievance.  To the fullest extent possible, a grievance shall contain a clear and concise statement of the grievance and indicate the issue(s) involved, the relief sought, the date(s) the incident or violation took place, and any specific policy involved.
• The grievance advisor or program director will convene a faculty committee composed of at least three members to manage the grievance.  Any faculty member involved in the grievance or who feels that they cannot be impartial may not participate in the committee.  Committee composition should reflect diverse viewpoints within the program.
• The faculty committee, through the grievance advisor or program director, will obtain a written response from the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed. The grievance advisor or program director will inform this person that their response will be shared with the student filing the grievance.
• The grievance advisor or program director will share the response with the student filing the grievance.
• The faculty committee will make a decision regarding the grievance. The committee’s review shall be fair, impartial, and timely.  The grievance advisor or program director will report on the action taken by the committee in writing to both the student and the person toward whom the grievance was directed.
• The grievant will be notified in writing, within 5 business days of the written appeal, acknowledging receipt of the formal appeal and establishing a timeline for the review to be completed.
• The senior associate dean or their designee may request additional materials and/or arrange meetings with the grievant and/or others.  If meetings occur, the senior associate dean or their designee will meet with both the grievant and the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed.
• The senior associate dean or their designee will assemble an ad hoc committee of faculty from outside of the student’s graduate program and ask them to prepare a written recommendation on whether to uphold or reverse the decision of the program on the student’s initial grievance.  The committee may request additional materials and/or arrange meetings with the grievant and/or others.  If meetings occur, the committee will meet with both the grievant and the person or persons toward whom the grievance is directed.
• The senior associate dean or their designee will make a final decision within 20 business days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation.
• The SMPH Office of Basic Research, Biotechnology, and Graduate Studies must store documentation of the grievance for seven years. Grievances that set a precedent may be stored indefinitely.
• The student may file an appeal of the School of Medicine and Public Health decision with the Graduate School.  See the Grievances and Appeals section of the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures .

Steps in the grievance procedures must be initiated and completed within the designated time periods except when modified by mutual consent. If the student fails to initiate the next step in the grievance procedure within the designated time period, the grievance will be considered resolved by the decision at the last completed step.

Most students are funded with research assistantships through the research programs of their advisors. A limited number of traineeships are available to advanced students in the UW Radiological Sciences Training Program for career training in cancer research. Other fellowships are also available to qualified students (e.g., AAPM, Cardiovascular and Neurological Sciences Training Programs, Advanced Opportunity Fellowship Program).

• Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

• Learning Outcomes
• Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to theory, knowledge, or practice within the field of medical physics.
• Formulates ideas, concepts, designs, and/or techniques beyond the current boundaries of knowledge within the field of medical physics.
• Creates research, scholarship, or performance that makes a substantive scientific contribution.
• Demonstrates breadth and depth within their learning experiences.
• Advances contributions of the field of medical physics to society through peer-reviewed journal publications.
• Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner in both oral and written formats.
• Demonstrates ethical research and professional conduct.

Faculty:  Please see a comprehensive list of  our faculty  on the department website.

• Accreditation

Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs

Accreditation status: Accredited through December 31, 2026. Next accreditation review: Spring 2026.

• Requirements

Contact Information

Medical Physics School of Medicine and Public Health Medical Physics, PhD https://www.medphysics.wisc.edu

Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected] 608-265-6504 1005 Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR), 1111 Highland Ave., Madison, WI 53705-2275

Michael Speidel, Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Grievance Advisor, Wesley Culberson, Associate Professor (CHS) [email protected]

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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GSBS Medical Physics Program

The Medical Physics Graduate Program

Medical physics is a   profession   that combines principles of physics and engineering with those of biology and medicine to effect better diagnosis and treatment of human disease while ensuring the safety of the public, our patients and those caring for them.

The Medical Physics Graduate Program offers the Specialized Master of Science degree and the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees through the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Two UT components, UTHealth Houston and   MD Anderson, jointly support the program, with the majority of faculty and students, as well as the program administration, working at MD Anderson.

The S.M.S. degree is a professional master's degree that prepares the student for clinical practice as a medical physicist. The Ph.D. degree is intended for the student who is preparing for a career that includes a strong research component. The two degree tracks have similar didactic curricula, but the S.M.S. research project is typically more clinically focused and shorter in duration than the research work for the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees.

In addition to the SMS and PhD degree programs in Medical Physics, the GSBS offers a Graduate Certificate in Medical Physics. The certificate program is intended for those who already have a PhD in physics or a related discipline and are interested in obtaining the didactic education in medical physics that is required by residency programs and by the American Board of Radiology. Some of the requirements for admission to this program are a PhD in physics or else a PhD in a related discipline plus at least a minor in physics and medical physics research experience at The University of Texas MD Anderson or UTHealth Houston.

Photo (Right):  Functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography for presurgical evaluation of brain tumor resection (image courtesy of Anthony Liu, PhD)

Medical Physics Program Resources

How to apply.

Students who wish to study medical physics should apply online through the  GSBS website

When your application is complete (including all of the required documentation such as transcripts and letters of reference), the GSBS will forward it to the program admission committee for consideration. Strict adherence to the deadlines is advised.

If you are applying to the Specialized Master of Science Program ("SMS"), which is our professionally oriented terminal master’s degree, select "M.S." as the Degree Plan. If you are applying to the M.S./Ph.D. program, select "Ph.D." as the Degree Plan, even if you expect to earn the M.S. degree on the way to the Ph.D. Most of our Ph.D. students take advantage of the opportunities that the Graduate School offers to by-pass the master’s degree en route to the Ph.D.

Under Areas of Research Interest, you need not select secondary areas of study if your only interest in the MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is our Medical Physics program.

Review Process

The program admission committee reviews applications on a rolling basis. Applicants who are especially promising will be invited to visit the GSBS and the program for an interview. Typically, more applicants are interviewed than can be offered admission.

Over the course of the reviewing season, the program admission committee will recommend to the Dean of the GSBS that offers be extended to the highest ranking applicants. All of those offers will be honored through April 15. However, because our program has a maximum number of funded positions in the incoming class each year, applicants who accept another offer are asked to decline ours promptly so that another meritorious applicant may be extended an offer.

We attempt to have interviewed every applicant to whom we make an offer. In extraordinary circumstances, this has been by telephone or over the Internet, but normally interviews are conducted in person in Houston. Ideally these would be during GSBS visitation events.

The interview visit is a time for the program and the applicant to get to know each other even better than the application documents allow. Interviewees have a student host to guide them around and to talk about what the program is really like and what Houston is really like.

The applicant typically will talk to half a dozen faculty members and at least as many students. The content of the interviews varies with the interests and attitudes of the interviewer, so the best advice that we can give for preparation is to know your facts (e.g., the title of your senior thesis project, if you are doing one) and to be yourself.

The Profession of Medical Physics

Medical physics is a field of study and practice that applies the facts and principles of physics and engineering to medical practice. It is distinct from biomedical engineering, biophysics and health physics in its focus on patient care. Medical physics is a profession because its practitioners work independently, albeit often as members of a health care team, and we take personal responsibility for the quality of our work.

There are two main specialties within medical physics, therapy and imaging. Therapy is the delivery of ionizing radiation with palliative or curative intent and imaging uses ionizing and nonionizing radiation for diagnostic purposes. some medical physicists practice all aspects of medical physics, but specialization as a therapeutic radiological physicist, diagnostic radiological physicist, medical nuclear physicist or medical health physicist is becoming more typical.

Medical physics requires a solid undergraduate preparation in physics or another technical discipline (for example, nuclear engineering) and graduate study. While many current medical physicists studied pure physics or related engineering subjects at the graduate level, increasingly graduate study in medical physics   per se   is now the predominant route of entry into the profession. Graduate programs in medical physics and residency programs in medical physics may be certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP). Not only does CAMPEP accreditation betoken a high quality program, but graduation from a CAMPEP - accredited graduate program and a CAMPEP - accredited residency program are prerequisites to certification by the largest certifying board.

Medical physicists demonstrate their preparation and professional competence by achieving certification. The predominant certifying board in the U.S. is the American Board of Radiology, which, along with the American Board of Health Physics and the American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine, administers certification examinations. These examinations typically consist of a written section covering basic medical physics, a second written section focusing on a particular specialty (e.g., therapeutic radiological physics, diagnostic radiological physics, medical nuclear physics, medical health physics, magnetic resonance imaging physics, or molecular imaging), and an oral examination. One may not take the examinations until one has earned appropriate educational credentials and has accumulated satisfactory practical experience through residency.

A number of states in the U.S., of which the first was Texas, license medical physics as a profession. They do this as a means of protecting the public safety and welfare. In Texas, one may not practice medical physics without a license. Texas issues temporary licenses to medical physicists who are preparing for their certification examinations by gaining practical experience, either as on-the-job training or in a clinical physics residency program. Temporary licensees must practice under the direct supervision of a fully licensed medical physicist. Medical physicists with full licenses may practice their licensed specialty independently, their preparation for which is demonstrated by education, by experience and by board certification.

Medical physicists in the U.S. have one primary professional organization, the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). Many medical societies also welcome medical physicists and have strong and active membership among medical physicists.

Medical physicists might practice privately — often consulting for several institutions — or work on a hospital staff or in an academic healthcare institution. We work closely with radiation oncologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, dosimetrists, nurses, a variety of medical technology specialists and hospital administrators. Our work requires strong scientific and technical abilities, clear communication, good people skills and the capability to work carefully, accurately, thoroughly and promptly. People's well-being depends upon the quality of our work.

To learn more about the profession of medical physics, visit

• The American Association of Physicists in Medicine
• The American Board of Radiology
• The American Board of Medical Physics
• The American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine
• The Commission for the Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs
• The Texas Medical Board

Among the journals that publish the research work of medical physicists are

• Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics
• International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
• Academic Radiology
• Journal of Nuclear Medicine

Medical Physics PhD student Meyer awarded Fulbright Fellowship

Farach-Carson named 2023 Oldham faculty award recipient

MD Anderson CPRIT Research Training Program announces 2022-2023 scholars

4 GSBS students awarded UTHealth CPRIT fellowships

MD Anderson CPRIT Research Training Program announces 2021-2022 scholars

Robert j. shalek fellowship.

In the period between 1950 and 1984, Robert J. Shalek, for whom this fellowship is named, worked at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. During that time the institution grew from small beginnings in temporary buildings to a leading cancer center with a large physical plant and over 6,000 employees.

During the same period medical physics, which had started in the United States around 1915, but had languished as a profession, took guidance from the well-developed British example and grew into a confident and respected profession. Dr. Shalek was shaped by and contributed to these events.

Following Drs. Leonard Grimmett and Warren Sinclair, both very experienced medical physicists from England, he served as head, or chairman, of the Physics Department from 1960 to 1984. Under his direction, the department became recognized as a major research and teaching center in medical physics.

Click here to learn more about Robert J. Shalek Fellowship

Medical Physics Information

2024 | 2023  |  2022  |  2021  |  2020  |  2019  |  2018  |  2017  |  2016  |  2015  |  2014  |  2013  |  2012  |  2011  |  2010  |  2009  |  2008  |  2007  |  2006

2022 Fall Student Handbook

Photo (Left):  The IROC-Houston IMRT head & neck phantom about to be scanned in a CT simulator during the COVID-19 pandemic (photo courtesy of Sharbacha Edward)

Department of Radiation Oncology

Medical School

• Department History
• Evaluation of Curricula
• Sample Academic Plans
• Program Faculty
• Alumni Spotlight
• New Student Orientation
• Student Progress Evaluation
• Current Students
• Application Process
• Benefits & Stipends
• Current Medical Residents
• Radiation Physics and Radiobiology Courses
• Well-Being & Professional Development
• Life in Minnesota
• Resident News & Kudos
• Current Medical Physics Residents
• Brachytherapy Research Lab
• Molecular Cancer Therapeutics Lab
• Patient Care
• Radiation Oncology Anniversary

Medical Physics Graduate Program

The Medical Physics Graduate Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) and offers MS and PhD degrees.

The goal of the program is to prepare students for entering a clinical medical physics residency program in therapy or imaging physics and/or to pursue a career in research and teaching in radiation therapy, radiology, or magnetic resonance imaging. 

The program meets the requirements of the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota, AAPM Reports 197, 197S, and the CAMPEP Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Educational Programs.

The Medical Physics Graduate Program generally admits students in the Fall semester. This program does not grant conditional admissions. Deadline for Fall 2025 admissions will be January 5, 2025.

+ What is Medical Physics?

Medical physicists are professionals with education and specialist training in the concepts and techniques of applying physics in medicine. Medical Physicists work in clinical, academic or research institutions. (Source: IOMP)

Medical physicists are concerned with three areas of activity:

• Clinical service and consultation in radiation oncology and radiology departments
• Research and development in areas such as cancer, heart disease, and others
• Teaching medical physics students, resident physicians, and radiology and radiation therapy technology students

(Source: AAPM)  

AAPM's public education web page describing medical physics:

https://www.medicalradiationinfo.org/medical-physics/

AAPM's public education web page describing a career in medical physics:

https://www.medicalradiationinfo.org/careers/

+ Program Governance

The program governance includes the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), the Steering Committee, and the Admissions Committee. The Steering Committee addresses the long term needs of the program and any short term issues. The Admissions Committee reviews applications for admissions and makes admissions decisions.

The majority of the instructors for the program are from the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiology at the University of Minnesota. Faculty are listed as full if they advise and support student(s) in the program at least once every five years, actively participate in the program by serving on student(s) MS and PhD committees, teaching courses, or serve in one of the graduate program committees.

+ Facilities

The facilities and clinical equipment of the University of Minnesota Medical Center are available to the faculty and students of the graduate program in Medical Physics. These include departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiology, including  The Center for Magnetic Resonance Research .  

Additional facilties within various University of Minnesota departments and centers are also available to graduate students as needed.

The full resources of the University of Minnesota Library systems both online and its physical holdings are available to all graduate students of the University of Minnesota. Other materials not directly accessible within the University of Minnesota Library system can be acquired via interlibrary loan.

Read a general description of the  University of Minnesota Libraries .

Read about particular  library services offered to graduate students.

+ Active Research Projects

+ Recent Student Publications and Presentations

Recent Publications:

N. Becerra-Espinosa , L. Claps, P. Alaei , Comparison of visual and semi-automated kilovoltage cone beam CT image QA analysis, J. Appl. Clin. Med. Phys. e14190 (2024)

S. Fakhraei , E. Ehler, D. Sterling, L.C. Cho, P. Alaei , A Patient-Specific correspondence model to track tumor location in thorax during radiation therapy, Phys Medica 116 (2023)

N. Zulkarnain , A. Sadeghi-Tarakameh, J. Thotland, N. Harel, Y. Eryaman, Aworkflow for predicting radiofrequency-induced heating around bilateral deep brain stimulation electrodes in MRI, Med. Phys. (2023)

A. Sadeghi-Tarakameh, L. DelaBarre, N. Zulkarnain , N. Harel, Y. Eryaman, Implant-friendly MRI of deep brain stimulation electrodes at 7 T,  Mag. Reson. Med. (2023)

E. Torres, P. Wang, S. Kantesaria, P. Jenkins, L. DelaBarre, D. Cosmo Pizetta, T.   Froelich , L. Steyn, A. Tannús, K. Papas, D. Sakellariou, M. Garwood, Development of a compact NMR system to measure pO2 in a tissue-engineered graft, J. Magn. Reson (2023)

T. Froelich , L. DelaBarre, P. Wang, J. Radder, E. Torres, M. Garwood, Fast spin-echo approach for accelerated B1 gradient–based MRI,  Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (2023)

AAPM 2024 Presentations:

A. Monsef , P. Sheikhzadeh, J. Steiner, M. Elhaie, M. Fooldai, F. Sadeghi, Optimization of Ga-68 Dotatate Activity for Oncologic PET Imaging: Phantom and Patient Study

A. Alshreef , M. Assalmi, T. Allen, B. Rogers, C. Oare, C. Ferreira, “Dose to brain versus dose to water for GammaTile implanted brachytherapy”

A. Alshreef , M. Assalmi. T. Allen, B. Rogers, C. Oare, F. Jafari, C. Ferreira, “Dose Heterogeneity Simulation for Permanently Implanted Cs ‑ 131 Seeds for Brain Tumor Brachytherapy”

T. Adhikari , A. Alshreef, C. Ferreira, "Dose Coverage and Dose to Organs at Risk for GBM Patients Treated with Gammatile"

S. Pani, B. Nguyen , D. Mathew, Y. Watanabe, “Preliminary Evaluation of Hall Effect Sensor Array for Patient Motion Tracking”

S. Lee , Y. Watanabe, "Prediction of Heterogeneous Treatment Planning in Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Using Homogeneous Plan with Conditional Generative Adversarial Network

ISMRM 2024 Presentations:

S. Lee ,   F. Branzoli, O. Andronesi, C. Chen, A. Lin, R. Liserre, G. Melku, T. Nguyen, M, Marjanska, Analysis of MRS voxel placements in brain tumors performed by MRS experts

N. Zulkarnain , A. Sadeghi-Tarakameh, D. Koski, N. Harel, Y. Eryaman, In-vivo Validation of a Workflow to Predict Heating around a Deep Brain Stimulation Contacts

ABS 2024 Presentation:

C. Ferreira, D. Sterling, S. Zhang, M. Reynolds, K. Dusenbery, L. Sloan, A. Alshreef , C. Chen, Gammatile Cs-131 Permanent Brain Implants: From Clinical Implementation To Treatment Outcomes And Beyond

+ Graduate Outcomes

Program History

This graduate program was started as an interdisciplinary graduate program under the name Biophysical Sciences in the 1950s by Dr. Otto Schmidt to encourage collaboration among biologists, chemists, and physicists. Then, as now, faculty had their salaried appointments in various home departments, including departments within the Medical School, but participated in Biophysical Sciences because of their interests in collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.

• 1960 - 1970
• 1980 - 1990
• 2000 - Present

By the late 1960s and early 1970s, disciplines such as biophysics, biochemistry, physical chemistry, etc. were established in the mainstream, so the emphasis in Biophysical Sciences shifted to health informatics (integration of computers for modeling and data base analysis) and medical applications of biochemistry with Dr. Gene Ackerman and Dr. Russell K. Hobbie as Directors of Graduate Studies. 

By the late 1980s the computerization of all disciplines had become routine and most of the faculty had minimized their participation in the Biophysical Sciences Program. At about that time, however, a resurgence of interest in applications of various disciplines to problems in “radiologic sciences” – medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiobiology – resulted in a renewal of interest in the program. In the US, the field of radiologic science is known as a profession by the term “Medical Physics”. Thus, by the early 1990’s the emphasis of the program had shifted to Medical Physics. In 1993, the program underwent an internal review under the direction of Associate Dean Kenneth Zimmerman at the request of Vice President and Dean Anne Petersen. The purpose of the review was to explore the future of involvement of the Medical School in the program. E. Russell Ritenour, became Director of Graduate Studies at that time.

In 2012, the name of the Biophysical Sciences and Medical Physics program was changed to Medical Physics to more closely align the name of the program with the focus of the majority of the students in the program. The program as it currently stands focuses on Medical Physics but does not preclude the student from having a graduate project that is outside the traditional borders of Medical Physics. This is due to the fact that there are several professors associated with the program that have interests aligned with Medical Physics that are not purely clinical in focus. To aid in this transition of the program and to promote the accreditation process, Bruce J. Gerbi, PhD was installed as the Program Director. Upon retirement of Dr. Gerbi, Parham Alaei, PhD was elected as program director in May 2017. 

Education & Training

• Curriculum & Courses
• Medical Residency Program
• Medical Physics Residency Program

For specific program information, please contact:

Parham Alaei, PhD, Professor University of Minnesota Medical School Department of Radiation Oncology 612-626-6505 [email protected] Mayo Mail Code 494 420 Delaware Street SE  Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

For general program information, please contact:

• See us on twitter

Stanford Certificate Program in Medical Physics

Message from certificate program director.

The Medical Physics Certificate Program (MPCP) is a rigorous two-year (CAMPEP-accreditation pending) didactic training program , meticulously designed and administered by the Departments of Radiation Oncology & Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. The curriculum covers essential medical physics topics, aligning with AAPM guidelines and including courses in Medical Physics and Dosimetry, Radiation Therapy Physics, Radiation Biology and Protection, Imaging and Image-Based Anatomy, and Medical Imaging Systems  l & ll.  Courses are offered in partnership with Biomedical Physics PhD program and taught by experienced faculty from the departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiology. The program is passionately committed to equipping students with the scientific knowledge needed for advanced studies, research, and successful careers in clinical medical physics. The program aims to foster in-depth understanding of patient safety, proficiency in physics and mathematics, ethical professionalism, effective communication skills, and a holistic perspective on medical physics. Join us on your journey to becoming a highly skilled and sought-after medical physicist!

*The certificate program is currently CAMPEP accreditation pending.

Our mission serves a dual purpose:

(1) to enable students to pursue advanced education, both foundational and applied, to lead groundbreaking research in medical physics, and

(2) to facilitate their seamless transition into medical physics residencies, culminating in rewarding careers in clinical medical physics.

Admission Requirements

To gain admission to the Stanford University’s MPCP, applicants must hold a PhD degree in physics or a closely related field. 

Admission Process

• The program is designed for course-based enrollment, and we accept applications year around.  For first-time applicants to the program course, they are required to submit the application package four months before the course starts. For continuing students, they are required to meet course prerequisite before enrollment.

Application Material

• The received application package should include the following at a minimum:
• Transcripts that show undergraduate and obtained/expected PhD degree, 
• A detailed CV that list relevant research experience, publications, awards and skills,
• Statement of purpose,
• Two letters of recommendation,
• Any additional application materials you would like to include

Application Review Process

• The application will be reviewed by the Certificate Program Steering Committee to assess whether the applicant satisfies the required admission criteria. The Program Director will notify the admitted applicants at least three months before each course starts. The MPCP is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Please use the application link below to apply to the certificate program.

Financial Support and Opportunities

• In general, we do not provide any financial aid, loans or TA slots for certificate program students. However, our postdoctoral fellows could benefits from our departments' rich history of funding and research activities. Hence, financial support may be available from primary research advisors. For those seeking postdoctoral fellowships, numerous options are accessible through various training grants across laboratories and programs within the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Radiology. We encourage you to explore available opportunities and apply for these positions  here . Postdoctoral fellows receive benefits in line with those provided to other Stanford University employees, separate from their participation in the MPCP. We are dedicated to helping our fellows access the financial resources they need to excel in their academic and research endeavors.

The core medical physics curriculum outlined by CAMPEP is comprehensively addressed through six didactic courses, which are overseen by the Departments of Radiation Oncology & Radiology. These six courses are:

• BMP251 Medical Physics and Dosimetry
• BMP252 Radiation Therapy Physics
• BMP253 Radiation Biology and Protection
• BMP220 Imaging and Image-Based Anatomy
• BMP269A Medical Imaging Systems l
• BMP269B Medical Imaging Systems ll

If you have any questions regarding the Stanford Certificate Program in Medical Physics, please forward your inquiries to:

Christina Gutierrez - [email protected]

Who can apply to this program?

The Medical Physics Certificate Program is available to anyone interested in joining the program for both US residents and US non-residents.  

How do you apply?

Do you sponsor visas for US non-residents?

We do not sponsor visas for the Medical Physics Certificate Program at this time. However, we welcome all international students interested in our program to apply.

Will this program certify me through CAMPEP for residency?

The program is currently CAMPEP certification pending.

What is the tuition cost for the Medical Physics Certificate Program?

The tuition depends on the number of course units that the accepted wants to take.  In general, the certificate program offers 6 courses, each course has 3 units, and each unit costs ~$1,300.00.

What financial aid options are available?

Financial aid is only available to postdocs already attending Stanford University. We implore all applicants to explore the numerous opportunities and positions  here .

How long does it take to complete the program?

The certificate program is designed to be completed in one academic year, though some Certificate students elect to spread the courses (and costs) over more than one year.

Can I waive or test out of some of these courses?

According to the  CAMPEP Policy and Procedures  section H.01.04, this is possible, but limited to two courses: "Students admitted to a certificate program may be granted credit for previously- completed courses addressing up to two sections (Sections 8.1-8.6 of the  Standards for Accreditation of Graduate Educational Program in Medical Physics ), assessed as equivalent to those courses within the certificate program by the certificate program director. Additional courses must be completed while enrolled in the certificate program."

Is your program offered online?

Currently all courses are onsite, some courses will have online options later.

100 Best colleges for Medical Physics in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Medical Physics. A graph of 3.33M citations received by 122K academic papers made by 211 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

For Medical Physics

2. Stanford University

3. Johns Hopkins University

4. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

5. University of California - San Francisco

6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

7. University of Washington - Seattle

8. University of Pennsylvania

9. University of California - Los Angeles

10. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

11. University of Wisconsin - Madison

12. University of Chicago

13. Yale University

14. Emory University

15. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

16. Cornell University

17. Washington University in St Louis

18. Columbia University

19. University of Pittsburgh

20. University of Alabama at Birmingham

21. University of Southern California

22. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

23. University of Florida

24. University of Maryland, Baltimore

25. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

26. New York University

27. University of Iowa

28. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

29. Northwestern University

30. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

31. Oregon Health & Science University

32. Duke University

33. University of California-San Diego

34. Vanderbilt University

35. Georgetown University

36. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

37. University of Virginia

38. University of Utah

39. Case Western Reserve University

40. University of California - Davis

41. Baylor College of Medicine

42. Medical College of Wisconsin

43. University of Illinois at Chicago

44. Medical University of South Carolina

45. Boston University

46. University of Arizona

47. Ohio State University

48. Wake Forest University

49. University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

50. Thomas Jefferson University

51. Wayne State University

52. University of Miami

53. Brown University

54. University of Cincinnati

55. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

56. Providence College

57. Florida College

58. University of California - Irvine

59. University of Kentucky

60. Tufts University

61. Virginia Commonwealth University

62. University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester

63. University of Rochester

64. Pennsylvania State University

65. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

66. University of New Mexico

67. Dartmouth College

68. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

69. University at Buffalo

70. University of Baltimore

71. Seattle University

72. University of South Florida

73. University of Tennessee Health Science Center

74. University of Louisville

75. Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

76. George Washington University

77. University of Nebraska Medical Center

78. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

79. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

80. University of Missouri - Columbia

81. Pennsylvania State University - College of Medicine

82. University of Texas Medical Branch

83. Loma Linda University

84. Drexel University

85. Upstate Medical University

86. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

87. Michigan State University

88. University of Vermont

89. Saint Louis University

90. Georgia Institute of Technology

91. Augusta University

92. University of California - Berkeley

93. Tulane University of Louisiana

94. NorthShore University HealthSystem School of Nurse Anesthesia

95. rensselaer polytechnic institute.

96. Temple University

97. University of Texas at Austin

98. Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Beth Israel

99. Texas A&M University - College Station

100. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

The best cities to study Medical Physics in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge , Stanford , Baltimore , and Houston .

Physics subfields in the United States

Certificate in Medical Physics for Penn Predoctoral Students

Learn more, virtual information session.

October 15, 2024 | 5:15 PM - 6:30 PM Eastern Time (ET)

Are you interested in applying for admission? Join us for our Virtual Information Session!  You will hear program highlights and more from our program director, current students, and alumni.  Registration is required -- click the link below to register . 

Register for the Virtual Information Session

The Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) ruled in July 2024 that an earned CAMPEP-accredited MS or PhD degree in medical physics or certificate program in medical physics is a requirement for medical physics residency admission.  Previously, CAMPEP allowed the certificate curriculum (CAMPEP core courses) to be taken without formal enrollment in a certificate program as a pathway to residency.  The new CAMPEP policy allows concurrent enrollment in a non-CAMPEP-accredited PhD program and CAMPEP-accredited certificate in medical physics program.   Therefore, PhD students at the University of Pennsylvania with a desire for a career in medical physics may apply for admission to the CAMPEP-accredited Certificate in Medical Physics program at the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM).

Interested students should meet with their PhD advisor(s) and Graduate Group Chair to discuss the feasibility of applying for this academic option to be completed concurrently with the doctoral degree.

The Certificate in Medical Physics curriculum includes coursework in radiological physics, radiation protection, medical imaging, medical ethics/government regulation, anatomy and physiology, radiobiology, the physics of radiation therapy, and professional development. Six course units (CU) (18 semester hours total) and two professional development seminars (0 CU) are required for the Certificate.

Admission Eligibility

• Current enrollment at the University of Pennsylvania in a PhD program in physics or a related field (e.g., engineering, computer science or physical chemistry)
• *Earned minimum of an undergraduate minor in physics or its equivalent

Application Requirements

The application must contain the following to be considered complete:

• *Transcript(s) of all post-secondary (post-high school) institutions attended and unofficial transcript from University of Pennsylvania
• Current CV/résumé (uploaded by applicant into online application)
• Three letters of recommendation, including one from the applicant’s faculty academic/doctoral advisor (contact information of recommenders required in online application; application system will ask these individuals to upload their letters)
• ***Personal statement (uploaded by applicant into online application)
• Submit application by deadline

The application fee will be waived for University of Pennsylvania students enrolled in an eligible PhD program. Applicants should contact [email protected] for a fee waiver code before submitting the application.

More information on requirements marked by asterisk (*) may be found on the Admission page.

Admission Process

The Certificate in Medical Physics online application for admission opens September 16, 2024.  The application deadline is November 1st, 2024 .  To apply, visit the Admission page.

Select applicants will be invited to interview virtually.  Admitted applicants will be given conditional admission as the PhD degree must be earned before the Certificate can be issued.

Transfer Credit

Previously successfully completed MPHY courses taken at PSOM that are required for the Certificate in Medical Physics curriculum will be approved for internal transfer credit.

Awarding of Certificate

Upon successful completion of the PhD degree and Certificate in Medical Physics, the transcript will show both programs as concurrently awarded.

Questions about this co-enrollment option may be directed to the MPGP Team at [email protected]  or 215-662-3617.

• Careers in Medical Physics
• Diversity and Inclusion
• PhD Requirements
• Course Sequence
• Course Descriptions
• Policy Handbook
• Graduate Program Statistics

Multidisciplinary Nature of Medical Physics

Medical physics is one of several disciplines that have emerged from the growing interaction between physics and biology. Other such disciplines include biophysics, biomedical engineering, and health physics. Although the boundaries among these fields are by no means distinct, as a general guide, one may broadly state that biophysics concerns the use of physics in the study of basic biological mechanisms, that biomedical engineering concerns the development of new diagnostic instrumentation and prosthetic devices, and that health physics concerns the measurement of physical quantities that are related to environmental contaminants, especially ionizing radiation.

The field of medical physics, on the other hand, may be defined broadly as "applied physics in medicine" and as such incorporates these other fields to the extent that they involve medical applications.

Diversity of Medical Physics

A feeling for the diversity of medical physics may be conveyed by listing some of the research and development problems with which medical physicists are concerned. These include:

• The study of basic mechanisms by which radiation transfers energy to biological materials.
• The development of new techniques for generating and detecting the various radiations used in medical science.
• The application of radioactive tracers in diagnostic medicine and in the study of metabolism.
• The optimization of physical parameters for particular tasks in diagnostic medical imaging (radiography, computed tomography, radionuclide imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, thermography, and ultrasonography).
• Dosimetry in radiation therapy.
• The measurement of pressures, flow, and oxygenation in cardiology,
• The recording and interpretation of bio-electric potentials in neurology.
• The analysis of diagnostic techniques in terms of information theory and communications theory.
• The development of computer aids in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, and tumor response assessment.

Medical physicists engage in three broad areas of activity: clinical consultation, teaching, and research. Clinical activities include consultation with radiation oncologists in the planning and delivery of radiation treatments for cancer, consultation with radiologists and other physicians concerning the optimal use of medical imaging systems for the diagnosis of disease, the calibration of radiation sources, and the control of potential radiation hazards.

Medical physicists participate in the teaching of resident physicians, medical students, graduate students, and technologists. Research opportunities open to medical physicists range from the development of instrumentation and quality control procedures in medical imaging and radiation therapy to the study of biomedical processes.

Most medical physicists are employed at universities and hospitals with a smaller number in research institutes, government health agencies, and industrial organizations. A few are self-employed, usually as consultants. Frequently, the hospital in which a medical physicist works is associated with a medical school, and the physicist is a member of the academic staff.

A 2012 survey by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, to which about 61% of the 5467 members who were emailed replied, showed that 1381 respondents had a Ph.D. and that 632 of the Ph.D. physicists worked in a medical school or university hospital setting; 72 percent were involved primarily in radiation therapy, with 15% in diagnostic radiology and 4% in nuclear medicine.

Demand for Medical Physicists

The demand for medical physicists has exceeded the supply for many years. Most large medical centers employ physicists, and many have vacancies on their staff. Many smaller hospitals also are seeking medical physicists. In spite of the recent downturn in the economy, the AAPM survey of 2012 reported a strong job market for medical physicists.

The increasing use of physical instruments and techniques in medicine and the increasing interest in medical research serves to increase the demand for medical physicists. Thus, many factors contribute to making medical physics a creative, expanding, and rewarding profession for the young physicist about to choose a career.

• General & Introductory Medical Science
• Radiology & Imaging

Medical Physics

Print ISSN: 0094-2405

Online ISSN: 2473-4209

Impact Factor: 3.2

American Association of Physicists in Medicine

Edited By:John M. Boone | University of California at Davis

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• Medical Device Safety

Medical Device Reporting (MDR): How to Report Medical Device Problems

Update August 28, 2024:  The FDA has issued the final guidance Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting (VMSR) Program for Manufacturers; Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff . The updated information about the VMSR program is available at Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program .

Overview of Medical Device Reporting

Mandatory medical device reporting requirements, voluntary medical device reporting, how to report a medical device problem, submitting medical device reports for devices licensed as biological products, searching medical device reports.

Each year, the FDA receives over two million medical device reports of suspected device-associated deaths, serious injuries, and malfunctions. Medical Device Reporting (MDR) is one of the postmarket surveillance tools the FDA uses to monitor device performance, detect potential device-related safety issues, and contribute to benefit-risk assessments of these products.

Mandatory reporters (that is, manufacturers, device user facilities, and importers) are required to submit to the FDA certain types of reports for adverse events and product problems about medical devices. In addition, the FDA also encourages health care professionals, patients, caregivers and consumers to submit voluntary reports about serious adverse events that may be associated with a medical device, and use errors, product quality issues, and therapeutic failures. These reports, along with data from other sources, can provide critical information that helps improve patient safety.

The FDA reviews all medical device reports (MDRs) received. The FDA's analysis of MDRs evaluates the totality of information provided in the initial MDR and as any MDR supplemental reports subsequently provided. The submission of an MDR itself is not evidence that the device caused or contributed to the adverse outcome or event. For example, in certain MDRs, the text of the report may include the word "death" or a related term. However, the MDR would not, and should not, be classified as death unless the reporter believes the patient's cause of death was or may have been attributed to the device or the device was or may have been a factor in the death.

In addition, although MDRs are a valuable source of information, this passive surveillance system has limitations. The incidence, prevalence, or cause of an event cannot be determined from this reporting system alone due to under-reporting of events, inaccuracies in reports, lack of verification that the device caused the reported event, and lack of information about frequency of device use. Because of these limitations, MDRs comprise only one of the FDA's several important postmarket surveillance data sources.

The Medical Device Reporting (MDR) regulation ( 21 CFR Part 803 ) contains mandatory requirements for manufacturers, importers, and device user facilities to report certain device-related adverse events and product problems to the FDA.

Manufacturers: Manufacturers are required to report to the FDA when they learn that any of their devices may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury. Manufacturers must also report to the FDA when they become aware that their device has malfunctioned and would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur.

Importers: Importers are required to report to the FDA and the manufacturer when they learn that one of their devices may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury. The importer must report only to the manufacturer if their imported devices have malfunctioned and would be likely to cause or contribute to a death or serious injury if the malfunction were to recur.

Device User Facilities: A "device user facility" is a hospital, ambulatory surgical facility, nursing home, outpatient diagnostic facility, or outpatient treatment facility, which is not a physician's office. User facilities must report a suspected medical device-related death to both the FDA and the manufacturer. User facilities must report a medical device-related serious injury to the manufacturer, or to the FDA if the medical device manufacturer is unknown.

A user facility is not required to report a device malfunction, but can voluntarily advise the FDA of such product problems using the voluntary MedWatch Form FDA 3500 under the FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Healthcare professionals within a user facility should familiarize themselves with their institution's procedures for reporting adverse events to the FDA. See " Medical Device Reporting for User Facilities ," a guidance document issued by the FDA.

Visit Mandatory Reporting Requirements: Manufacturers, Importers and Device User Facilities for specifics on requirements and associated processes.

Medical Device Reports for Devices Licensed as Biological Products: For instructions for mandatory medical device reporting for licensed medical devices regulated as biological products by the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), see Submitting Medical Device Reports (MDRs) to CBER for Devices Licensed as Biological Products .

The FDA encourages healthcare professionals, patients, caregivers and consumers to submit voluntary reports of significant adverse events or product problems with medical products to MedWatch , the FDA's Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.

Medical device reports are submitted to the FDA by mandatory reporters (manufacturers, importers and device user facilities) and voluntary reporters (health care professionals, patients, caregivers and consumers).

Mandatory Reporting for Manufacturers, Importers and Device User Facilities (Form FDA 3500A):

Find information and instructions for mandatory device reporting at:

• Reporting Medical Device Adverse Events for Manufacturers, Importers and Device User Facilities
• Instructions on Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting Program
• Instructions for Completing Form FDA 3500A
• eMDR - Electronic Medical Device Reporting
• Medical Device Reporting for Manufacturers - Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff
• FDA Guidance: Medical Device Reporting for User Facilities (PDF Only) (PDF - 313KB)

For Questions about Medical Device Reporting, including interpretation of MDR policy:

• Call: (301) 796-6670
• Email: [email protected]

Voluntary MedWatch Reporting for Patients, Health Professionals and Consumers (Form FDA 3500):

Patients, healthcare professionals and consumers who find a problem related to a medical device are encouraged to report medical device adverse events or product problems to the FDA through MedWatch, the FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. Submit reports to the FDA through the MedWatch program in one of the following ways:

• Complete the MedWatch Online Reporting Form
• Download form  or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

To Report an Emergency

If you have identified a public health emergency, you may use the following contact information to alert the FDA:

FDA Office of Crisis Management, Emergency Operations Center

• Voice (24hr/day) phone: 866-300-4374 or 301-796-8240
• FAX: 301-847-8543

While most medical devices subject to the FDA's oversight are regulated by the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) is also responsible for the regulation of certain medical devices.

Currently, CBER is designated the lead center in the FDA for regulating in vitro diagnostic (IVD) medical devices intended for screening or confirmatory clinical laboratory testing associated with blood banking practices and other process testing procedures. For more information unique to IVDs, see Overview of IVD Regulation .

IVD devices licensed as biological products are also subject to the applicable regulations under 21 CFR Part 803 – Medical Device Reporting. For instructions for medical device reporting for devices regulated as biological products by CBER, see Submitting Medical Device Reports (MDRs) to CBER for Devices Licensed as Biological Products .

The Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database contains mandatory reports filed by manufacturers and importers from August 1996 to present, all mandatory user facility reports from 1991 to present, and voluntary reports filed after June 1993. The MAUDE database houses MDRs submitted to the FDA by mandatory reporters (manufacturers, importers and device user facilities) and voluntary reporters such as health care professionals, patients and consumers.

There are certain cases in which such information was not included in MAUDE. Older reports received through CDRH's legacy Device Experience Network (DEN) reporting system from 1984 – 1996 and reports received under the Alternative Summary Reporting Program from 1999 – April 2019 are not available in MAUDE. In the spirit of promoting public transparency, the FDA posted Alternative Summary Reporting (ASR) data and Device Experience Network (DEN) reports on the MDR Data Files page .

Individuals are also able to request information related to Medical Device Reports by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request either in writing or online.

For general questions, please contact the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) .

Additional Resources

• MedWatch: The FDA's system for voluntary reporting
• MAUDE - Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database (MDRs received from August 1, 1996-present)
• MDR Database Search (MDRs received from 1984 - July 31, 1996 )
• Mandatory Reporting Requirements: Manufacturers, Importers and Device User Facilities
• Electronic Medical Device Reporting (eMDR)
• CDRH Learn with Medical Device Reporting (Postmarket Activities)
• Exemptions, Variances, and Alternate Forms of Adverse Event Reporting for Medical Devices
• Voluntary Malfunction Summary Reporting (VMSR) Program

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The MS in Medical Physics Program is a specific program which integrates principles of physics, engineering, and biomedical sciences for clinical applications in medical imaging, radiation therapy, and nuclear medicine. Students graduating from the medical physics program will be able to participate in developing therapeutic techniques for cancer treatment, collaborating with radiation oncologists to accomplish treatment plans for radiation therapy, and maintaining imaging and radiation therapy devices.

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The medical physics program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP). The program is a special track within the MS program in Biomedical Engineering. The program is coordinated by the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering and the Department of Radiation Oncology at the Miller School of Medicine. Students graduating from our accredited medical physics program are eligible to take the American Board of Radiology (ABR) exam and to apply for medical physics residency programs.

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