Medical physics track of the graduate program

From Radiological Sciences

Students accepted into the UTHSCSA medical physics graduate program typically have a Bachelors Degree in Physics (or a similar field such as physical chemistry or engineering) with coursework that includes, basic computer science, mathematics (up to and including differential equations), and advanced undergraduate physics coursework such as quantum mechanics, electricity & magnetism, nuclear physics and solid state physics. In addition students are expected to have basic college-level Chemistry and Biology training.

UTHSCSA has a single program in medical physics offering either a MS or PhD degree with curricula emphasizing Therapeutic Radiological Physics or Diagnostic Radiological Physics and a MS only in Medical Health Physics. To better understand what each of these sub-specialties entails, please check out the AAPM website’s pages on Scope of Practice in Medical Physics and What Medical Physicists Do.

The PhD program in Radiological Sciences has the primary goal of teaching students how to conceive, plan and carry out original research projects. Although clinical training is included in the medical physics curriculum of the graduate program, the quantity and depth of clinical experiences to which an individual student may be exposed will vary with availability of mentors and facilities, as well as the student's specific interests.

Comprehensive clinical training is provided not by graduate programs but is available in medical physics residency programs, which students may apply for while finishing their graduate degree program.