Medical Radiation Physics (Thesis) (M.Sc.) (45 credits)
Offered by: Medical Physics Unit (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)
Degree: Master of Science
Program credit weight: 45
Program Description
The M.Sc. program in Medical Radiation Physics provides candidates with the knowledge required to enter into the field of medical physics. The program relies on a strong fundamental science background and enables candidates to undergo further training through a clinical residency program or to further advanced graduate studies in medical physics through a Ph.D. degree. Graduates from the program typically find employment in clinical settings, academia, industry, or governmental research and regulatory agencies. The program is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP).
Note: For information about Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 course offerings, please check back on May 8, 2025. Until then, the "Terms offered" field will appear blank for most courses while the class schedule is being finalized.
Thesis Courses (18 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDPH 691D1 | MSc Thesis Research 2. | 9 |
MSc Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Independent research work under the direction of the Thesis Supervisor and the Supervisory Committee. | ||
| MDPH 691D2 | MSc Thesis Research 2. | 9 |
MSc Thesis Research 2. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. See MDPH 691D1 for course description. | ||
Required Courses (27 credits)
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MDPH 601 | Radiation Physics. | 3 |
Radiation Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The production and properties of directly and indirectly ionizing radiations and their interactions with matter; basic theoretical and experimental aspects of radiation dosimetry. | ||
| MDPH 602 | Radiotherapy Physics. | 3 |
Radiotherapy Physics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The physics of radiation therapy including that of radioactive sources, accelerators and x-ray machines. The theoretical and practical dosimetry of ionizing radiation including codes of practice and guidelines, dose calculations, dose measurements and dose optimization. The radiation therapy workflow and practical aspects related to quality assurance of radiation therapy as well as record and verify systems used in radiation therapy. | ||
| MDPH 603 | Laboratory Radiotherapy Physics. | 2 |
Laboratory Radiotherapy Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 This laboratory course gives some experience in practical/clinical aspects as applied to radiation therapy and to the techniques for the measurement of different physical parameters which characterize radiation beams. The student is exposed to the operation of various therapy units, dose measuring devices, 3D treatment planning, virtual simulator units, brachytherapy, quality assurance, calibration and different types of relative dosimetry systems. | ||
| MDPH 607 | Medical Imaging. | 3 |
Medical Imaging. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course is concerned with the principles of medical imaging as applied to conventional diagnostic radiography, X-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The course emphasizes a linear system approach to the formation, processing, and display of medical images. | ||
| MDPH 608 | Laboratory - Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. | 2 |
Laboratory - Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. Terms offered: Summer 2025 This laboratory course takes place in hospital departments of medical diagnostic imaging and is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the performance parameters of the diagnostic imaging equipment. Laboratory classes will offer the student the practical experience of image quality control, on selected imaging equipment currently used in diagnostic medicine together with practical applications of the concepts studied in MDPH 614 and MDPH 615. | ||
| MDPH 609 | Radiation Biology. | 2 |
Radiation Biology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Deals with the effects and mode of action of ionizing radiation on biological material from molecular interactions, through sub-cellular and cellular levels of organization, to the response of tissues, organs and the whole body. Includes the application of radiation biology to oncology and the biological aspects of environmental radiation exposure. | ||
| MDPH 610 | Instrumentation and Computation in Medical Physics 2. | 2 |
Instrumentation and Computation in Medical Physics 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A course on electronics, computer programming, and instrumentation as applied to medical physics. A basic knowledge of electronics and computers is assumed, but the detailed course contents may vary from year to year, depending on the background of the students. | ||
| MDPH 613 | Health Physics. | 2 |
Health Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The hazards of ionizing radiations and the safe handling of radiation sources. Topics covered include basic principles; safety codes, laws and regulations; organization of radiation safety; and practical safety measures and procedures. | ||
| MDPH 614 | Physics of Diagnostic Radiology. | 3 |
Physics of Diagnostic Radiology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A rigorous treatment of the physical principles and the instrumentation of radiology, computed tomography and ultrasound medical imaging systems. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the relations between imaging system design, image quality, and safety. Measurement techniques for the evaluation of medical imaging systems are reviewed. | ||
| MDPH 615 | Physics of Nuclear Medicine. | 2 |
Physics of Nuclear Medicine. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The physics of radioactivity and the applications of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in medical diagnosis. Topics covered include radiation spectrometry, the scintillation camera, image analysis and data processing in nuclear medicine, single photon emission tomography, and positron emission tomography. | ||
| MDPH 618 | Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Physics. | 3 |
Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Basic anatomy, physiology and oncology. The review of statistics will focus on study design and hypotheses testing in health studies. Focus on anatomic structures, their relationships, their cross-sectional and planar projections. Imaging and radiation treatment planning methods will be reviewed by anatomic region, as they apply to: central nervous system, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. | ||