Students receive a thorough academic grounding in Medical Physics, are exposed to its practice in a hospital environment, and complete a short research project. Many graduates take up careers in health service medical physics, either in the UK or their home country. The course is accredited by the Institute of Physics & Engineering in Medicine as fulfilling part of the training requirements for physicists wishing to work in the NHS. Numerous opportunities exist for research, and graduates also find employment in the many health related industries.

The programme spans three terms, each lasting four months.

In the first, the core course provides a good general grounding in Medical Physics; lectures are designed to update knowledge in topics such as experimental statistics, and others deal with clinical applications of physics such as nuclear medicine, radiotherapy, magnetic resonance imaging and biomechanics. Additionally, lectures on anatomy, physiology and biochemistry provide students with a basic medical knowledge. Lectures are supported by practicals, demonstrations and attachments to staff members. In the second term, three topics are selected from a list of 12 and studied in detail. Topics include Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, Biomechanics, and Computing. During a series of tutorial demonstrations clinicians introduce their own specialities; students become familiar with how clinicians work, attend operations, etc.

The final term (MSc students only) is spent carrying out a short research project.


Assessment
Written examination (3 papers), continuous assessment, oral examination and project report. Diploma students do not do a project report.

A number of bursaries are available for entry in September 2006. The bursaries are towards fees for one year of postgraduate study. Competition is fierce, but applications from outstanding students are encouraged.

For further information visit the course website.