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Programs & Courses

We offer internationally recognized, high quality programs that allows our graduates to enter the professions in Medical Physics, Health Physics, and Radiation Biology. Our alumni staff cancer clinics across Canada, work in nuclear power stations, perform analysis and policy advice for the Canadian government, conduct research in laboratories around the world; and hold positions at universities across North America.

We offer a course-based degree in Health and Radiation Physics, and two research degree programs in radiation sciences: Radiation Sciences – Medical Physics (CAMPEP and non-CAMPEP accredited options) and Radiation Sciences – Radiation Biology.

Programs

The M.Sc. in Health and Radiation Physics is relatively course intensive and is designed to provide the education, training and professional development required for a career in Health Physics. Normal admission requirements are a B.Sc. honours degree, with at least B+ standing (or equivalent) in Physics, Biophysics, Engineering Physics, Chemistry, or some course of study approved by the Program.

A candidate for the M.Sc. degree in Health and Radiation Physics must:

  1. Satisfactorily complete the courses:
    • Medical Physics *772
    • Medical Physics *775
    • Medical Physics *776
    • Students must complete satisfactorily one additional 700-level course from the following list: Medical Physics *770, Medical Physics *771, Medical Physics *774 or Medical Physics *778. Students are expected to have knowledge in Radiation Biology and in Radiation & Radioisotope Methodology. If a student lacks this knowledge, she/he will be directed by the program to pursue appropriate additional learning opportunities.
  2. Pass a final comprehensive examination
  3. Complete and defend a research report based upon a project approved by the Program.

A student with a strong background in Health and Radiation Physics may be permitted to replace one or more of the core courses with relevant courses approved by the Program. A student may not take more than one 600-level full graduate course to satisfy the minimum course requirements.

The M.Sc. in Radiation Sciences is a research degree consisting of a more physics focused degree (Medical Physics), a more life sciences oriented degree (Radiation Biology) and the medical radiation sciences stream degree (Medical Radiation Science). Normal admission requirements for Medical Physics are a B.Sc. honours degree, with at least B+ standing (or equivalent) in Physics or a closely-related field approved by the department. The minimum requirement for admission to the M.Sc. program in Radiation Biology is an Honours B.Sc. in Biology or Life Sciences or a related discipline, with at least a B+ average in the final year.

 

Medical Physics (2 options: CAMPEP accredited option and non-CAMPEP accredited option)

 

The M.Sc. in Radiation Sciences (Medical Physics) requires that a candidate complete satisfactorily the courses Medical Physics *775 and one other half course. Candidates are expected to have knowledge in Radiation Biology and in Radiation & Radioisotope Methodology. If a candidate lacks this knowledge, she/he will be directed by the program to pursue appropriate additional learning opportunities. Candidates for this M.Sc. are also required to present and defend a thesis, which shall embody the results of original research.

Radiation Biology

The M.Sc. in Radiation Sciences (Radiation Biology) requires that a candidate complete satisfactorily two half courses at the 700 level which can be either Medical Physics *779, Medical Physics *780 or Medical Physics *782. Candidates are expected to have knowledge in Radiation Biology and in Radioactivity & Radiation Interactions. If a candidate lacks this knowledge, she/he will be directed by the program to pursue appropriate additional learning opportunities. Candidates for this M.Sc. are also required to present and defend a thesis, which shall embody the results of original research.

Medical Radiation Science Stream

The M.Sc. in Radiation Sciences (Medical Radiation Science) requires that a candidate complete satisfactorily the courses Medical Physics *781 and one other half course at the 700 level which can be either Medical Physics *779, Medical Physics *780 or Medical Physics *782.

 

The Ph.D. program in Radiation Sciences is a research degree with two options: a more physics focused degree (Medical Physics) or a more life sciences oriented degree (Radiation Biology).

Medical Physics (2 options: CAMPEP accredited option and non-CAMPEP accredited option) or Radiation Biology

The minimum course requirement for the Ph.D. degree in Radiation Sciences in both fields of Medical Physics and Radiation Biology is the completion of at least one full course at the 700-level beyond the courses required for the M.Sc. degree. Candidates in the Medical Physics field who have not already completed Medical Physics *6R03 and Medical Physics *775 shall take these courses plus at least two other half courses at the 700-level. Candidates in the Radiation Biology field who have not already completed Medical Physics *6B03 shall take this course plus two half courses at the 700 level. Every candidate for the Ph.D. must pass a Comprehensive Examination concerned with Radiation Sciences, but outside their own immediate area of research. A thesis must be presented embodying the results of original research, and this thesis will be defended in a final oral examination.

Courses

The full description of the Radiation Sciences Courses offered through our program can be found on the McMaster Academic Calendar.

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