Perform cutting-edge research in 51视频's CAMPEP-accredited Medical Physics Program.

Medical Physics Program Overview

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Program (), 51视频's Medical Physics doctoral program collaborates with local and regional teaching hospitals and cancer centers in the Boston area to provide you with cutting-edge education in therapeutic and imaging medical physics. The duration of the Ph.D. program is usually between four and six years.

For program-specific questions or to connect with our current students, please contact: Erno Sajo, Ph.D., 978-934-3288, Erno_Sajo@uml.edu

Curriculum

Our program builds on the聽M.S. in Radiological Sciences and Protection, Medical Physics Option curriculum and adds further requirements, including graduate courses in physics, biology, or chemistry and a doctoral dissertation. The research results are expected to be published in at least one peer-reviewed journal paper.听

Students in the program qualify for and are expected to take the American Board of Radiology () Part-1 Exam by the second or third year of study. Historically, most students have concentrated on therapy physics, but because faculty and the cooperating hospitals also have imaging and nuclear medicine research projects, over the last decade, a number of students have focused on other medical physics specialties as well.听

For complete聽program details and聽course descriptions, please visit the聽Academic Catalog.

For student entering in Fall 2024 and beyond.

This sequence assumes the entering student has adequate preparation in undergraduate Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Quantum Mechanics and Statistical Mechanics; therefore no physics remedial courses (PHYS.5000 level) are necessary. Note that the actual degree pathway depends on the particular preparation of the student, therefore this example may not be applicable to everyone.

Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
RADI.5010Radiation Safety and Control I3
RADI.5090Nuclear Instrumentation3
PHYS.6570Electromagnetic Theory I3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
RADI.5980Medical Imaging I3
RADI.5620Radiation Biology3
PHYS.6580Electromagnetic Theory II3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7021Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 1, Summer Trimester
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
HSCI.5510
OR
XXXX.XXXX
Clinical Pathophysiology OR
an approved graduate course in Sectional Human Anatomy
3
Total3

Target date for Comprehensive Doctoral Examination.

Year 2, Semester 3 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
RADI.6980Medical Imaging II3
RADI.6050Radiation Interactions & Transport3
RADI.5330External Dosimetry and Shielding3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 2, Semester 4 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
RADI.5650Intro Radiation Therapy Physics3
RADI.6060Monte Carlo Simulation of Radiation Transport3
PHYS.6110听翱搁
XXXX.XXXX
Classical Mechanics OR
other approved elective
3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Target date for start of research.

Year 3, Semester 5 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS.5630听翱搁
XXXX.XXXX
Computational Methods in Physics OR
Other approved elective
3
RADI.6760Graduate Medical Physics Internship2
PHYS.7310Advanced Project I3
BMBT.5200Ethical Issues in Biomedical Research1
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 3, Semester 6 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.6650Advanced Radiation Therapy Physics3
RADI.6860Advanced Medical Physics Internship2
PHYS.7320Advanced Project II3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar1
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0

Target date for graduate research admissions exam and formation of thesis committee. Recommended date for taking ABR* Part I examination.

Year 4, Semester 7 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS/RADI.XXXXApproved Elective3
PHYS/RADI.7560Doctoral Dissertation - Physics6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 4, Semester 8 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS/RADI.XXXXApproved Elective3
PHYS/RADI.7560Doctoral Dissertation - Physics6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 5, Semester 9 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS/RADI.7560Doctoral Dissertation - Physics9
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Year 5, Semester 10 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
PHYS/RADI.7560Doctoral Dissertation - Physics9
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Total9

Target date for dissertation defense.

ABR = American Board of Radiology

Last updated: 7/16/24.

For students entering Fall 2024 and beyond.
This sequence assumes the entering student has advanced preparation in the core Physics courses, which are part of the requirements for the PhD degree in Physics, including MS thesis. The Advanced Project may be waived, as done in this example, if the appropriate conditions are met. Note that the actual degree pathway depends on the particular preparation of the student, therefore this example may not be applicable to everyone.
Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.5010Radiation Safety and Control I3
RADI.5090Nuclear Instrumentation3
RADI.6050Radiation Interactions and Transport3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.5980Medical Imaging I3
RADI.5620Radiation Biology3
RADI.5650Radiation Therapy Physics3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Year 1,聽 Summer Trimester
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total3
HSCI.5510听翱搁
XXXX.XXXX
Clinical Pathophysiology OR
a graduate course in Medical Anatomy and Physiology with聽Sectional Human Anatomy
3
Target date for comprehensive examination.
Year 2, Semester 3 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.6980Medical Imaging II3
RADI.6760Graduate Medical Physics Internship2
RADI.5330External Dosimetry and Shielding3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar1
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Target date for graduate research admission exam.
Year 2, Semester 4 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.6650Advanced Radiation Therapy Physics3
RADI.6060Monte Carlo Simulation of Radiation Transport3
RADI.6860Advanced Medical Physics Internship2
BMBT.5200Ethical Issues in Biomedical Research (or equivalent)1
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Recommended date for taking ABR Part I examination.
Year 3, Semester 5 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS/RADI.XXXXApproved Elective3
PHYS/RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 3, Semester 6 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS/RADI.XXXXApproved Elective3
PHYS/RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Target date for graduate research admissions exam.
Year 4, Semester 7 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS/RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research9
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Year 4, Semester 8 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS/RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research9
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
The schedule in Year 3 or 4 may be continued in subsequent years, as appropriate within the time limit set by the University and the Department, depending on the progress of the student鈥檚 dissertation research.
Target date for dissertation defense.

Last updated: 7/16/24

For students entering Fall 2024 and beyond.
This sequence assumes the entering student has an MS 51视频 with thesis in Medical Physics from a CAMPEP-accredited institution, including clinical rotation, but has no advanced preparation in the core Physics courses. It is further assumed that the prior MS 51视频 involved a total of 30 credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. The Advanced Project may be waived, as done in this example, if the appropriate conditions are met. Note that the actual degree pathway depends on the particular preparation of the student, therefore this example may not be applicable to everyone.
Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS.5610Nuclear Physics I3
PHYS.6570Electromagnetic Theory I3
RADI/PHYS.XXXXApproved Elective (e.g., Internal Dosimetry)3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS.6580Electromagnetic Theory II3
PHYS.6620Nuclear Physics II3
PHYS.6110听翱搁
XXXX.XXXX
Classical Mechanics OR
Approved Elective
3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Target date for comprehensive examination.
Year 2, Semester 3 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
PHYS.5630听翱搁
XXXX.XXXX
Computational Methods in Physics OR
Approved elective
3
RADI.6050Radiation Interactions and Transport3
PHYS/RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research3
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
Target date for graduate research admission exam.
Year 2, Semester 4 (Spring)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.6060Monte Carlo Simulation of radiation Transport3
PHYS/RADI.7560PH.D. Dissertation Research6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7020Physics Colloquium0
Recommended date for taking Part I examination if not already taken.
Year 3, Semester 5 (Fall)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
RADI.7560Ph.D. Dissertation Research6
PHYS.7200Medical Physics Seminar0
PHYS.7010Physics Colloquium0
The schedule in Semester 5 may be continued in subsequent semesters, as appropriate within the time limit set by the University and the Department, depending on the progress of the student鈥檚 research.
Target date for dissertation defense.

Last updated: 7/16/24

Medical Physics Career Outlook

Upon graduation, medical physics students are prepared to receive advanced clinical training by entering a medical physics residency program or through working under the direction of a board-certified medical physicist.听

Patient is prepared for image-guided radiation therapy.

Recent graduates have accepted positions as:

  • Clinical residents
  • Postdoctoral fellow/researchers in an academic environment
  • Professional clinical medical physicists
  • Medical physicists in a research laboratory
  • Medical physicists in industry

Funding Opportunities

A limited number of Teaching Assistantships (TA) is available for qualified full-time doctoral students. The Department of Physics and Applied Physics offers TA support for the first two years of study. Thereafter, one of the research groups may offer a Research Assistantship (RA) on a competitive basis. For further details, including the current TA/RA compensation amounts, please visit聽Graduate Student Assistantships.听

Learn more about Tuition & Aid for Graduate Programs.

Admissions

Admissions

Please note:

  • Deadline for fall semester entry: January 15
  • Successful applicants typically have an undergraduate major in physics, engineering, or a similar technical field. Students with other undergraduate degrees may be accepted if the prerequisite coursework, equivalent to a minor in physics, is satisfied. Applicants with minor deficiencies (e.g., one of the required courses is missing) may be admitted with the provision of satisfying the prerequisite during the first year of graduate study. In cases when multiple prerequisite courses are lacking, we recommend that the student satisfactorily complete these courses before embarking on graduate studies in Medical Physics.
  • Review complete Admission Qualifications for the Medical Physics Program in the academic catalog.

Kennedy College of Sciences master鈥檚 and doctoral applicants must submit:

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report (required for some programs, waiver form available)

Note, all required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated.听If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on 鈥淧rogram Materials鈥 to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.听聽

Chemistry and Polymer Science Ph.D. Applicants: All required documents must be received by the Office of Graduate Admissions by Feb. 15 to receive full consideration for Fall semester acceptance. Applications completed after this deadline will be considered for acceptance in the subsequent semester.

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will not need to apply via the application portal, Visit the page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

  • Capitalize your proper name.
  • Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

app-fee 2. Application Fees

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.


3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation except Medical Physics applicants which requires three (3) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process, and that an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendations.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor鈥檚 degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from 51视频, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

51视频 Graduate Admissions
GPS Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101


test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s) (waived for most programs)

If your program requires one or more test scores reports, request that the appropriate agency send an official test score report for the GRE or GMAT to the Office of Graduate Admissions. 51视频鈥檚 school code is 3911.

These programs require official test scores:

  • MS Computer Science
  • Ph.D. Computer Science
  • Medical Physics
  • Radiological Sciences

Get more information about standardized tests.

Some master's programs will waive the test score requirements under certain conditions.

Further information is available on the GRE/GMAT/MAT Waiver Forms webpage.

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Request More Information

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Phone:
800-656-4723 (U.S. Students)
978-934-2390 (International Students)

Email:听
Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu