What is Medical physics: Definition and 282 Discussions

Medical physics (also called biomedical physics, medical biophysics, applied physics in medicine, physics applications in medical science, radiological physics or hospital radio-physics) is, in general, the application of physics concepts, theories, and methods to medicine and healthcare. Medical physics departments may be found in hospitals or universities.
In the case of clinical work, "medical physicist" is the title of a specific healthcare profession, usually working within a hospital or other clinic. Traditionally, medical physicists are found in the following healthcare specialties: radiation oncology (also known as radiotherapy or radiation therapy), diagnostic and interventional radiology (also known as medical imaging), nuclear medicine, and radiation protection. Medical physics of radiation therapy can involve work such as dosimetry, linac quality assurance, and brachytherapy. Medical physics of diagnostic and interventional radiology involves medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, computed tomography and x-ray. Nuclear medicine will include positron emission tomography and radionuclide therapy. However one can find Medical Physicists in many other areas such as physiological monitoring, audiology, neurology, neurophysiology, cardiology and others.
University departments are of two types. The first type are mainly concerned with preparing students for a career as a hospital Medical Physicist and research focuses on improving the practice of the profession. A second type (increasingly called 'biomedical physics') has a much wider scope and may include research in any applications of physics to medicine from the study of biomolecular structure to microscopy and nanomedicine.

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  1. L

    Medical Physics and Laser Physics

    Hi. I am interested in medical physics, but I also like to become a laser scientist. If I have a masters in medical physics can I go straight to laser physics Phd, if not what better option can I take after having master in medical physics.
  2. A

    Looking to Apply to Medical Physics PhD Program

    I'm looking to apply for a PhD program in Medical Physics. I am currently majoring in Medical Physics, but my GPA is only a 3.33. I have been doing research and see people who are applying with much higher GPAs than mine. My question is: if I don't get accepted anywhere, what should I do?
  3. K

    Columbia or VCU Medical Physics Program?

    Columbia or VCU Medical Physics Program?? I was recently accepted to the Medical Physics Programs at Columbia and Virginia Commonwealth University. I am wondering if anyone has any insight on how the programs are at both of these schools. I know that Columbia obviously has a prestigious...
  4. S

    Maximizing Research Success for Medical Physics MS Program: Tips and Strategies

    I'm an undergrad studying physics now. I plan on applying to a medical physics M.S. program in the next few years. The program is in partnership with a hospital, and in the second year, I'll do a research project with a faculty member of the hospital. My question concerns what I should be...
  5. P

    Residencies in Medical Physics difficult to obtain

    Hey all, I've read a lot of perspectives on Medical Physics job market and residency market and I thought I had a moral obligation to contribute to the conversation as I have first-hand experience. I just went through the residency application process. I am a graduating Medical Physics...
  6. S

    Engineering BS in physics to grad school - engineering or medical physics?

    Hi all, I'm currently a sophomore physics/applied math BS double major at a state school. My goal is to attain a well-paying(or eventually well-paying) job and career working with science and/or math. Preferably, I'd like to have some options as to the location (somewhere in the U.S. or...
  7. J

    Medical Physics - What to do in grad school to get a job after

    Hi! I am brand new to this forum. I wanted to ask some advice about how I can best improve my chances of getting into an enjoyable career after grad school. I am currently a senior due to graduate in May with a BS in physics. I've been accepted into a large research university for their...
  8. S

    Medical Physics: Postdoc or MS first?

    Hi everyone, This is my first post! When done with my PhD in experimental physics, I would like to make a move to medical physics. Is it wise to jump into a postdoc in medical physics (if lucky enough to get one) or get an MS medical physics first and then do a postdoc/residency? My...
  9. E

    Admissions Medical Physics Admissions to Georgia Tech

    Hey, I'm new to the forum! Anyways, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with the online Medical Physics program at Georgia Tech. I'm curious as to how competitive admissions are, and how they weight factors other than undergrad GPA. I currently have a B.S. in Radiation Health Physics, I...
  10. R

    Chances of getting into medical physics programs

    I will be graduated soon from Marshall University with a B.S. in physics with an area of emphasis on medical physics (This program drops some of the upper level physics classes that aren't necessary for medical physics and replaces them with upper level chemistry and biology). I am planning on...
  11. P

    Medical Physics: Is a PhD Program the Right Choice?

    Hi and thanks in advance for any responses. I'm a Junior getting a degree in engineering physics, now trying to decide between a Masters in Nuclear Engineering and pursuing an MS/PhD in Medical Physics. I can finish the engineering MS in just two more years as I've already started on some...
  12. A

    Should I pursue Medical Physics?

    I am at an ABET accredited school studying Radiological Health Engineering(Nuclear) and I was thinking of applying to grad school for a MS in Medical Physics. I have read that in 2014 to become certified you will have had to complete residency and getting into those CAMPEP programs is VERY...
  13. F

    Medical Physics or Health Physics (professional)

    Hi everybody, am new to this forum. I recently graduated with a Bsc in Nuclear Medicine but with the job market being poor right now I am thinking about getting my masters in either medical or health physics. First is it a worth it to get your masters in either field? Second which one will be a...
  14. Q

    What is the current job market like for medical physicists in Canada?

    I just wanted to see what is the scope of medical physics in Canada. Program websites on university webpages write so rosy picture of jobs(one leading university website predicts atleast 30 new jobs per year inside Canada). I find that ridiculous because when I go to medphys.ca and other career...
  15. J

    Hofstra Graduate Medical Physics Program

    Are there any thoughts about the Hofstra Graduate Medical Physics Program from current or other prospective students. I don't think they are Campep accredited yet. What does that mean for any graduates. Would I be able to get into a residency afterwards?
  16. V

    Engineering Job Prospects in Medical Physics and Engineering

    Hi PF, I've recently graduate with an MS Physics with no specific emphasis. I quickly learned that it is very difficult to obtain a career in physics and I am considering continuing my education onto PhD Medical Physics or MS Electrical Engineering. I am very interested in all of both of...
  17. B

    MS Medical Physics: Thesis or Non-thesis Option

    Hi All, I am currently in a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics program. I have the option to do a thesis masters or a non-thesis masters (additional coursework). When it comes down to it, will it make a big difference in my hireabilty whether I choose to do a thesis or non-thesis masters from...
  18. K

    Programs Medical Physics: Masters or PhD?

    Medical Physics: Masters or PhD?? I am currently a Nuclear Engineering Masters student planning to graduate in May 2013. I am now applying to both Masters and PhD Medical Physics programs, however I am not exactly sure which route to take. Is it worth going for the PhD if I plan to do clinical...
  19. N

    Geophysics vs. Medical Physics

    I am having a difficult time choosing which path to follow in school. Does anyone have, or know anyone with experience in either of the titular fields? Also, can one, with an undergraduate BSc in Physics, pursue either of the fields in graduate school? Since my interest lies in physics, and I...
  20. H

    Admissions Applying for Medical Physics Phd

    Hi all, I am just looking for some help in applying for a medical physics Phd, preferably in the area of Radiation Therapy. A bit of background: I have a B.A. in Physics and a M.Sc. in Medical Physics from Trinity College Dublin. I also have two years experience as a part II clinical...
  21. P

    Undergrad requirements for Medical Physics

    Hi, I'm an undergrad in engineering physics and I'm thinking about becoming a medical physicist. Do I need to have a biology or anatomy course before applying to a PhD program, and if so, which one is best to have? Also, since medical physics internships seem pretty rare, what other kinds...
  22. M

    Schools What's a good university/college for medical physics?

    I'm in my 3rd year of a physics Honours BSc and I'm looking into a career in medical physics. I just wanted to know what are some schools that offer programs in medical physics, but a little more importantly, is there any conceivable way I can skip my masters? I'd like to go straight to Ph.D...
  23. F

    Navigating Paths to Medical Physics

    Hi all, I am a little lost in finding a path to medical physics. I am close to finishing my PhD in physics and trying to get in medical physics. As far as I understand, I have three options: 1- The certificate program at University of Chicago (which takes one year) 2- A master program...
  24. A

    Physics Exploring Career Options: Medical Dosimetry vs Medical Physics

    Hi, I have a BS in Biochemistry from 2010, and after working for a couple of years in research lab would like to go into either medical physics or medical dosimetry. I have never worked as a radiation therapist, and don't have clinical experience. Only issue that is sort of ruling out MP for...
  25. G

    Medical Good Review Paper on Medical Physics?

    What is a good review paper on modern medical physics? Thanks
  26. G

    Physics What do most do with a M.S. in Medical Physics?

    What do most people do with a M.S. in Medical Physics? Thanks From the AAPM, this is a very general definition: But, specifically, what do most medical physicists do? Thanks UPDATE: I found a pretty good description on the AAPM website:
  27. G

    Physics Interested in a career in Medical Physics

    Hi, I just got accepted to Ga Tech and I applied for the BS in Mechanical Engineering. I was wondering if anyone knows if I can pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering and get a MS in medical physics? if not , should I just go into nuclear and radiological engineering or biomedical...
  28. B

    Physics Medical Physics, Path to Take?

    In that point in life where I have to make the hard decisions for my future and was just wondering what kind of university path you have to take to get into medical physics. Do you need an MD, PHD? Should your undergrad be in engineering? When do you specifically specialize into medical...
  29. X

    Physics Exploring Medical Physics: A Job Description

    Medical Physics - A general "job description" as opposed to a radiation oncologist Forgive my ignorance, but Medical Physics/Radiation Oncology is one of those fields who's typical work day is still a mystery to me. Are medical physicists the "primary guy" when it comes to treating patients...
  30. M

    Physics Research topics in Medical Physics

    Hi I graduated last summer with major physics and minor medical physics (minor includes 3 courses : Ionizing radiation, non-Ionizing radiation, radiation protection and a project in QA/QC ) I work now in medical physics department as a demonstrator which is a small one with few staff I...
  31. B

    Physics Choice of Medical Physics MS Programs

    Good morning, I have a choice to make between MS programs in Medical Physics this Fall: Wayne State vs the University at Buffalo. Are there some graduates from these programs out there who might offer some perspective on one over the other? Buffalo ranks higher for science in general, but...
  32. S

    Programs I am doing PhD in Physics and interested in medical physics

    Hi All, I am doing PhD in Physics and interested in medical physics. I am wondering what I should do to switch to medical physics? I was told that I should do two years training after my PhD and pass ABR exam. Is that all it takes to switch to medical physics? Where can I look for more...
  33. P

    Programs Want to quit job to do a full time ms and phd in medical physics

    So I would like to do an MS in medical physics from a CAMPEP accredited program. Ultimately, I would want a PhD in medical physics. I currently have a job that I obtained with my electrical engineering degree in the automotive industry. I also have 50K in student loans from undergrad. I...
  34. P

    Medical Physics Choices: Purdue, Cincinnati, WSU, UKY, SBU

    Hi! I am an undergraduate physics student, and I am looking to go into Medical Physics. I am not sure if I want to pursue a clinical career or continue into academia after obtaining my PhD in medical physics. I was wondering if anyone had opinions or experiences with these schools, and how...
  35. M

    Physics Medical Physics: Radiation Oncology

    Hi all, I am a Physics PhD candidate, and I love to do medical physics very much. But unfortunately my Physics Department does not have a strong medical physics group. So I though of doing Nuclear Physics and switch later to Medical Physics. (In my post doc) I am not interested in...
  36. N

    Physics Need advice: Medical Physics supporting document

    Hi, I am applying for a post in Medical Physics and supporting documents is required. I actually did a final version but still need advice/opinion from people who works in the field of Medical Physics on my statements. So, if anybody interested, please PM me and I will send you the...
  37. L

    Physics Is Medical Physics a Saturated Field?

    I am considering a career in Medical Physics. I have a PhD in physics and am planning on entering either the CAMPEP accredited certificate program at University of Chicago or one in Canada. What worries me is that I have heard many conflicting viewpoints on the current state of Medical Physics...
  38. N

    Programs Switch after PhD from Nuclear to Medical Physics?

    I think after completing my PhD I want to make a switch to medical physics. With my background (described below) this shouldn't be too great of a switch. (I wish I had realized this sooner, as in undergrad I was thinking biomedical engineering, but found myself far more interested in the...
  39. P

    Admissions Tips for Writing a Strong Statement of Purpose for Medical Physics Programs

    Hey.. I'm a senior undergraduate majoring in physics. I'm currently starting to apply for different universities for masters in medical physics but i have some questions. first of all, i need to write my statement of purpose.. i have completely no idea how to write it, i have searched on the...
  40. I

    Physics Medical Physics future job outlook?

    So, I'm a quasi-junior undergraduate right now. Essentially, I was planning on transferring to NYU for physics, but over the summer I decided not to because of the crazy loans I'd be taking out, and as of right now I'm taking an Anatomy and Physiology class and Organic Chem class at a community...
  41. J

    MS in Medical Physics do I have a chance?

    More questions about potential new careers for me. I'll lay out some quick background about me. I have a BS and MS in chemistry and currently working as an organic chemist (2.5 yrs, in pharmacuticals). To put it simply, I want out of it. I had originally written off medical physics a few...
  42. C

    Physics Thinking of going into Medical Physics would Biophysics class be recommended?

    As the title says I want to go into Medical Physics. I have one more course requirement to finish my undergrad at the end of the spring semester. None of the courses are offered so I will have to do a independent study to replace one of these classes: Biophysics, Analytical Mechanics, or E&M II...
  43. B

    Medical Physics Acceptance Rates

    So I've made an excel spreadsheet of info on all 25 of the CAMPEP accredited schools in the US. I talked to my prof about where to apply. Basically, he said to rank them in order of acceptance rates. I can't find conclusive or any acceptance rates from a lot of schools that offer Medical...
  44. D

    Problem in my last year Related to medical physics and Nuke Eng

    Hello, So I have a problem in my last semester of my final year. There is a course conflict between two physics courses that I need to graduate: Special Relativity and Advanced Optics. The only reason is because I missed one course from the previous year and the undergraduate advisor said...
  45. M

    Exploring Medical Physics Programs: Admissions Chances and Tips for Success

    Hey, I am a third year double major in astronomy and physics with a 3.4 gpa and currently doing research in the astronomy department at a big name midwestern school. I have been heavily interested in pursuing a masters in medical physics and was wondering what my chances are to being accepted...
  46. R

    Medical Anyone Know A Lot About Medical Physics?

    I am taking my radiology board exam on Sept 7, and I need some urgent help with certain concepts if the help can be found. Concepts I am struggling with include but definitely are not limited to: 1. transformers (step-up / step-down) 2. spatial resolution 3. image formation in digital...
  47. H

    Physics Question about Medical Physics in Canada

    Hello, I was reading through some threads and found out about medical physics Even though I researched on google I got confused because the process of becoming one is bit different from states and Canada ( I want to know for Canada) So here are some questions 1) Do we call the profession...
  48. R

    Engineering Nuclear Engineering PhD to Medical Physics Residency (questions)

    I'm have a PhD in Nuclear Engineering, and all of my research has been on the radiological health and dosimetry side. I am interested in a career in Medical Physics and plan to apply to several residencies this upcoming year. I am currently working at a research laboratory, and although the work...
  49. G

    Physics Medical Physics VS Medical Dosimetry

    Can anybody tell me the differences between a clinical medical physicist and a medical dosimetrist?
  50. C

    Exploring a Career in Medical Physics: Advice Needed

    Hi I am not from a science background; nevertheless i am self taught basic chemistry and biology through my fitness career. However, I have just been accepted into an undergraduate for a Bachelor of Medical and Radiation Physics. I have not accepted it yet because i need advice. It sounds...
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