MSc Medical Physics

Why Surrey?
We have close links with specialist teaching and regional Trust hospitals, as well as research institutes. These all provide lecturers with both up-to-date experience and outstanding opportunities for project research work.

Programme overview
Medical Physics MSc includes comprehensive coverage of the predominant aspects of modern applications of physics to medicine.

Why not discover more about our programme in our video?

Scholarships for this MSc programme

Teaching Assistantships (up to £3,000pa)
Our department-led scholarships enable you to assist with the teaching of Physics undergraduate students through laboratory sessions, tutorials, problem-solving classes, computing and other teaching activities depending on suitability. Open to home or international, full-time or part-time students, the University of Surrey gives out approximately six of these awards per annum. The Teaching Assistantship award is available on all MSc Physics programmes, and if successful, you can earn up to £3,000 throughout the year. Eligible MSc applicants will be sent an application form by email in August 2015 and the application procedure includes an interview (which can be completed by telephone).

The Braithwaite Family Foundation Medical Physics MSc scholarship
This single scholarship, which is offered by the Braithwaite family, is open to home, full-time MSc Medical Physics students. If successful, full tuition fees will be paid directly to the University of Surrey on behalf of the student. To apply for this scholarship you must have received a 2.1 at undergraduate degree level. The application procedure includes an interview with your Programme Director, a representative of the Alumni Office and a member of the Braithwaite family. Eligible MSc applicants will be sent an application form, by email, in August 2015.

Module overview
The MSc Medical Physics comprises nine compulsory modules, including a summer research project.

The syllabus is designed to provide the knowledge, skills and experience required for a modern graduate medical physicist, placing more emphasis than many other courses on topics beyond ionising radiation (X-rays and radiotherapy). Examples include magnetic resonance scanning and the use of lasers in medicine. Although applications of ionising radiation seem likely to remain a major branch of medical physics, other fields are increasing in importance, and modern medical physicists are now involved in the wide range of physical problems which arise in clinical medicine.

Programme structure
Each of the nine modules is sub-divided into various sections, as shown.

Module 1: Radiation Physics (33 hours of lectures)

- Atomic and nuclear physics
- Radiation physics

Module 2: Introduction to Biology and Radiation Biology (33 hours of lectures, tutorials and practicals/demonstrations)

- Overview of human biology
- Interaction of ionising and non-ionising radiation with biological systems
- Effects of radiation at the cellular level and damage to different organs

Module 3: Radiation Measurements (33 hours)

- Active- and passive-device systems
- Radiation units, radiation counting and statistics

Module 4: Experimental and professional skills for Medical Physics (66 hours of laboratories, workshops and seminars)

- Structure and mission of the NHS, and research ethics in a clinical context
- Intellectual property
- Radiation experiments involving safe handling of radioactive sources and observation of radiation interactions

Module 5: Diagnostic Applications of Ionising Radiation Physics (36 hours of lectures, labs and hospital sessions)

- X-rays production and diagnostic radiology
- Nuclear medicine
- MTF and ROC analysis
- Elements of image processing and image registration

Module 6: Non-ionising Radiation Imaging (33 hours of lectures, labs and hospital sessions)

- NMR spectroscopy, MR imaging and signal analysis
- Ultrasonics theory, instrumentation and practice

Module 7: Therapy Physics (33 hours of lectures, labs and hospital sessions)

- Photon and particle interactions with body tissues
- Treatment units and accelerator systems; treatment planning
- Light therapy
- Ultrasound therapy

Module 8: Extended Group Project (33 hours)

- Monte Carlo FLUKA simulations
- Group project (literature survey or experimental)

Module 9: Research Project and Dissertation

Entry requirements
A 2.2 honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in the physical sciences, electronics or in a relevant engineering discipline.

How to apply
For more information on the course and how to apply please visit the course website.

General enquiries:
+44 (0)1483 681 681

Admissions enquiries:
+44 (0)1483 682 222
admissions@surrey.ac.uk