Objectives
The University of Surrey MSc in Medical Physics is well established and internationally renowned. Graduates represent 30 per cent of all practising medical physicists in the UK, with a significant number reaching senior positions. We have trained 840 medical physicists, of whom 480 are from overseas and the European Union. The programme encompasses an introduction to the life sciences and a broad appreciation of the application of physics to medicine. Based in the Department of Physics, there are close links with specialist teaching and regional Trust hospitals, as well as research institutes, thus ensuring excellent provision of lecturers and outstanding opportunities for project research work. Forming part of an integrated training scheme for professional graduate medical physicists, the programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM). The programme consists of nine modules. Full-time students gain practical experience in an approved hospital department during the Easter vacation, and clinical scientist trainees spend their placements at specified hospital departments as part of the IPEM scheme. In addition, laboratory work, hospital visits and demonstrations, and a three-month dissertation project during the summer, are undertaken.
Course description
MSc in Medical Physics Module overview
The MSc in Medical Physics comprises nine modules, including a period of hospital experience and a summer research project. Each module is sub-divided into its various primary sections as shown. Contact hours, comprising lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes, seminars, demonstrations, hospital visits and hospital experience are also given.
The syllabus places more emphasis than many other courses on topics other than ionising radiation. Although applications of ionising radiation seem likely to remain a major branch of medical physics, other fields are increasing in importance, and physicists are becoming involved in the wider range of physical problems which arise in clinical medicine.
Human Structure and Function
Forty hours of lectures and labs including: chemistry and chemical methods of analysis; cell and molecular biology; structure and function.
Radiation Physics
Forty hours of lectures including: radiation physics; radiation detection and dosimetry; radiobiology and radiation protection.
Generic Skills and Methods; Health and Safety
Forty-five hours of lectures, labs, seminars and workshops including: the nation's health and the role of medical physics; probability and statistics; student seminars; computers in medicine; communication and research skills workshop, including literature reviews, research project plans, research proposals; electrical safety; aspects of medical physics.
Laboratory Work
Radiation laboratories 30 hours; electronics laboratories 15 hours.
Applications of Ionising Radiation Physics
Forty hours of lectures, labs and hospital sessions including: X-rays and diagnostic radiology; MTF and ROC analysis; nuclear medicine; radiotherapy and treatment planning.
Applications of Non-ionising Radiation Physics
Forty hours of lectures and labs including: electronics and instrumentation; NMR spectroscopy, imaging and signal analysis; haemodynamics; biodielectrics; clinical neurophysiology; lasers in medicine; UV radiation and Blue Light.
Hospital Experience
Ninety hours of hospital visits, demonstrations and hospital experience: Royal Marsden Hospital visit and demonstrations; use of sources of radiation demonstrations; X-Ray CT demonstration; treatment planning demonstration; radiotherapy physics visit and demonstrations; hospital experience fortnight; St George's Hospital visit.
Ultrasonics and Audiology
Forty-five hours of lectures, labs and hospital sessions including: ultrasonics theory; ultrasonics, instrumentation and practice; audiology; audiological testing.
Research Project and Dissertation
Dissertation project throughout the summer. Period allocated is eleven weeks, with mid-project seminars by students for monitoring of progress.
Programme length
12 months full-time
