www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/medical-physics.html

Medical Physics (MSc)The MSc in Medical Physics provides the theoretical knowledge in which physics and physical methods are being applied to medicine. The course has a particular emphasis on the use of ionizing radiation.

Topics covered include Fundamentals of Radiation Dosimetry, Physics of Radiotherapy, Medical Imaging and Theory and Practice of Risk and Safety Management. The course provides basic knowledge of the subject area with some limited practical training.

The programme is accredited with the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (UK) and North American accreditation with the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programmes (CAMPEP).

Course level: Level 9

Duration: 1 year, full-time from September to September

Places Available: 18

Entry Requirements: 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. Candidates with a primary degree without honours and with three years relevant and appropriate practical experience may also be considered. English language requirements are available on the international office website

Fees: For details please refer to the NUI Galway fees website.

Applying: Applications are made online via The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) www.pac.ie/nuigalway

PAC Code: GYS10

Closing date: Typically end of June, although late applications may be considered if places are available.

Contact information / Enquiries to: Dr Mark Foley T +353 91 495 383 E mark.foley@nuigalway.ie

MedicalPhysics_Artwork.indd 1 10/11/2015 17:10

In spite of the economic downturn, demand for qualified Medical Physicists worldwide has remained high. This is due to a shortage of qualified Medical Physicists, combined with an increasing need due to a worldwide expansion of Radiotherapy facilities. New regulations regarding protection against hazards of ionizing radiation will also require additional Medical Physicists.

The MSc course is primarily aimed at giving you the theoretical knowledge of the way in which physics and physical methods are being applied to medicine, with a particular emphasis on the way ionizing radiation is used in medicine. The course aims to equip you for a career as a scientist working within the health care field. You will be given the basic knowledge of the subject area and some training in applying the science. Job opportunities are good and currently approximately 75% of all graduates from the MSc programme, which commenced in 2002, have found employment in Medical Physics or areas associated with it.

This full-time course consists of an intense programme of lectures and workshops, followed by a project and dissertation. The course includes lectures in Anatomy, Physiology, and Measuring Health Hazards at Work including special lectures on Hospital Safety, Health Informatics and Applied Statistics, Clinical Engineering and Instrumentation. Considerable emphasis is placed on the areas of Medical Imaging, Radiation Fundamentals and Dosimetry and the Physics of Radiation Therapy. Workshops will provide limited practical experience. From April to September a small research project will be conducted in an area of Medical Physics.

Assessment is through a combination of written and oral examinations, continuous assessments, project work including presentations and the writing of a dissertation.

This programme is ideally suited to those wishing to pursue a career in Hospital Physics and Clinical Engineering. The MSc course is designed in such a way that it should provide for entry into existing training schemes for Medical Physicists, both in Ireland and elsewhere.The course is the first European MSc programme to be awarded accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programmes (CAMPEP) and the second programme worldwide.

Other job opportunities exist in the Medical Device and Health Care industry, Research and Development, Health and Safety and Teaching. Suitable candidates can also enroll in our structured PhD programmes.

“I became interested in Medical Physics toward the end of my undergraduate degree; five years of teaching later, I decided to go back to school for my MSc. I am from Vancouver, Canada, and after researching the Medical Physics degrees at universities all over the world, I chose NUIG based on its excellent reputation, twelve-month CAMPEP approved program, superb location and its wonderful staff. I am particularly interested in radiotherapy and found that this program has a comprehensive radiotherapy component in addition to detailed modules in diagnostic imaging and clinical instrumentation.

The MSc in Medical Physics prepares you for a variety of possible careers in by taking place partly in the hospital and including seminars relevant to a multitude of career paths. A further benefit of being both in the university and the hospital is the daily access to practicing medical physicists of all specialties who will take time to answer your questions and share their experience. Being a CAMPEP approved course means after graduation, you are even able to continue your education in Canada or the US.

I am very particular about location, and could not have made a better choice than Galway: full of music and the arts, downtime is always enjoyable, and you are on the doorstep of the ocean, the countryside, and Europe!”

Crystal Penner- 2015/16 class

Why study Medical Physics?

Programme Outline

Employment & Career Opportunities

What our students say...

MedicalPhysics_Artwork.indd 2 10/11/2015 17:10