Medical Physics is the branch of physics that applies the concepts and principles of physics to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. The MSc. in Medical Physics at UCD is designed for students who wish to pursue a career in Medical Physics, either in a clinical environment or in research. Our MSc. is accredited by the (opens in a new window)Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programmes (CAMPEP), an internationally-recognised accreditation body for graduate medical physics programmes.
The programme provides a strong foundation in radiological physics, diagnostic imaging physics, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology physics, radiobiology and radiation protection, as well as the essential anatomy and physiology knowledge required to understand a patient’s anatomical structure and physiological processes. Data analysis and programming skills using Python are also developed throughout the course with a view to provide students with the required analytical tools for their projects and clinical research.
We aim to produce high quality medical physics graduates who possess the basic and applied scientific knowledge, in addition to the excellent research and communication skills necessary to progress in their career. The programme is strongly supported by teaching hospitals through curriculum delivery and the provision of research project opportunities. Indeed, a significant proportion of the curriculum is delivered by practising clinical medical physicists who bring the latest knowledge and practice in the field. Our inter-disciplinary learning environment relies on staff with a deep level of expertise and emphasises research work through a clinically-relevant project that is a large part of the MSc. programme. We strive to produce highly motivated, independent thinkers who meet the high standards necessary for progression into medical physics residency and/or further education and research, and are endowed with professional values including scientific integrity and ethical behaviour.
We encourage and educate our students to become active, lifelong and autonomous learners with good prospects of employment in healthcare sectors related to medical physics or for further research. The student learning is supported through lectures, practical work, team projects and seminars. A variety of assessment strategies are employed, including classical written examinations, written assignments, presentations, interviews and case studies. By making use of a blended learning approach, group assignments encourage collaborative and interpersonal skill development, requiring team work, discussion and communication of finding via group presentations. These skills are considered essential for developing the required professional and communication skills expected for a medical physicist. At the end of the programme, students undertake a research study where they apply the knowledge gained in the taught modules to a clinically relevant project.
The programme is offered as a full-time 12 month MSc. (T342) or a part-time 24 month programme (T343). For applicants having a PhD in a Physics discipline, there is also the option to obtain a Graduate Diploma by taking the taught module component of the MSc. programme. The Graduate Diploma is offered as a full-time (T344) or part-time (T345) programme.