Research

Medical Physics

Medical Physics LabMaster's Degree Program

The 35-point Program in Medical Physics leads to the M.S. degree. It is administered by faculty from the School of Engineering and Applied Science in collaboration with faculty from the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Mailman School of Public Health. It provides preparation toward certification by the American Board of Radiology. The Program consists of a core curriculum o medical physics courses, anatomy, lab, seminar, and two practicums.

A passing grade on a comprehensive examination is required for graduation. This examination, on subjects covered in the curriculum, is taken at the end of the program of study. Specific course requirements are APPH E4010, APPH E4710/ APPH E4011, APPH E4500, APPH E4550, APPH E4600 and APBM E4650, in the Mailman School of Public Health, EHSC P6330, EHSC P9319, EHSC P9330 and EHSC P9335. Some opportunities for specialization exist.

Certificate of professional achievement in medical Physics

A graduate program of instruction leading to a Certificate of Professional Achievement and requiring satisfactory completion of at least four of the following courses: APPH E4500, Health physics, APPH E4600, Dosimetry, EHSC P6330, Radiation science, EHSC P9319, Clinical nuclear medicine physics, EHSC P9300, Diagnostic radiological physics, EHSC P9335, Radiation therapy physics, APBM E4650, Anatomy for physicists and engineers. This is a non-degree, two-semester program. Students are admitted to the Department as Special Certificate-track Students.


Admission Requirements

B.S. degree or B.A. degree in engineering or one of the physical sciences, physics training at least equivalent to a minor, and general GRE exam scores are required. Proficiency at written and spoken English and a working knowledge of computer programming and probability and statistics are also required. Applicants may be given up to five points of advanced standing for prior equivalent academic work.

 

Application

Applications are only available online, at the School of Engineering and Applied Science Web site.

The priority deadline for applications for full-time study is February 15. Applications received by July 15 will be considered on a space-available basis.


Financial aid

As a rule, assistantships, grants, scholarships, and fellowships are not available to students in master's degree programs, including the medical physics program. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for education loans and Federal College Work Study funding.


Doctoral Degree Program

Students who want to pursue doctoral research in medical physics must apply for admission to the doctoral program in applied physics (option in medical physics), which requires course work beyond the 35-point program described above, and they must pass the applied physics doctoral qualifying examination. There are research opportunities in medical physics at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, as well as at other associated medical institutes. Research is focused on developing advanced methods for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. Current emphasis is placed on developing advanced radiation transport methods for tomographic diagnosis, treatment facility calibration, and treatment planning. Other areas of specialty include imaging and tomography.


Program information