Medical Physics

Overview

The programme is primarily geared towards training for physicists in the application of radiation physics in medicine but maintains a reasonable exposure to key aspects of clinical engineering.

Course outline

The MSc consists of a fairly intense programme of lectures, workshops, laboratory sessions, tutorials, and self-directed learning, followed by a short (three-month) project and dissertation.

The syllabus contains modules covering the traditional topics associated with medical physics (Radiation Fundamentals, Hospital & Radiation Safety) and those more associated with clinical engineering (Clinical Instrumentation). The emphasis is on radiotherapy, radiation protection, and diagnostic imaging. Courses in anatomy, physiology, hospital safety and risk management are also provided. The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) and is therefore recognized as a component of PEM professional training.

Career opportunities

Graduates have found employment in the healthcare industry, which is one of the largest commercial sectors both nationally and internationally. There will be considerable demand for qualified medical physicists in Ireland in the future. There will be a significant increase in the number of radiotherapy facilities in the country, both public and private. New regulations regarding protection against the hazards of radiation will also require additional medical physicists. In the past, vacancies have often been filled from abroad. However, the shortage of medical physicists in the U.S. and U.K. will mean that this supply can no longer be relied upon. Opportunities also exist in specialist medical device industries and in academic research.

Requirements

Entry requirements

Graduates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8 degree in Physics or Experimental Physics, Electronic Engineering, or another relevant discipline as determined by the College of Science. A candidate with a Level 7 primary degree, and having practical experience in a relevant subject area over a number of years at a level to be deemed appropriate by the College of Science, may be registered for the MSc degree. (Such candidates will not be admitted to the programme until a period of three years has elapsed since the date of conferring of their primary degree.) IELTS score of 6.0+ (with not less than 5.5 in any one component).

Mode of Attendance : Full-time