Program Requirements
The Graduate Diploma in Medical Radiation Physics is intended to provide candidates holding a graduate degree in a related field with the knowledge required to enter into the field of medical physics. The program relies on a strong fundamental science background. The graduate diploma program is accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) only for students holding a Ph.D. degree.
Required Courses (30 credits)
* Or an equivalent course, at the 500-level or higher, as deemed appropriate by the Graduate Program Director.
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MDPH 601 Radiation Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : The production and properties of directly and indirectly ionizing radiations and their interactions with matter; basic theoretical and experimental aspects of radiation dosimetry.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Watson, Peter; Pater, Piotr (Fall)
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MDPH 602 Radiotherapy Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : The physics of radiation therapy including that of radioactive sources, accelerators and x-ray machines. The theoretical and practical dosimetry of ionizing radiation including codes of practice and guidelines, dose calculations, dose measurements and dose optimization. The radiation therapy workflow and practical aspects related to quality assurance of radiation therapy as well as record and verify systems used in radiation therapy.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Pater, Piotr; Poon, Emily Sau Chee (Winter)
Prerequisite: MDPH 601
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MDPH 603 Laboratory Radiotherapy Physics (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : This laboratory course gives some experience in practical/clinical aspects as applied to radiation therapy and to the techniques for the measurement of different physical parameters which characterize radiation beams. The student is exposed to the operation of various therapy units, dose measuring devices, 3D treatment planning, virtual simulator units, brachytherapy, quality assurance, calibration and different types of relative dosimetry systems.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Connell, Tanner (Winter)
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MDPH 607 Medical Imaging (3 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : This course is concerned with the principles of medical imaging as applied to conventional diagnostic radiography, X-ray computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The course emphasizes a linear system approach to the formation, processing, and display of medical images.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Levesque, Ives (Fall)
Restriction: Open only to students registered in Medical Physics or Biological & Biomedical Engineering programs; permission of instructor for other students.
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MDPH 608 Laboratory - Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : This laboratory course takes place in hospital departments of medical diagnostic imaging and is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the performance parameters of the diagnostic imaging equipment. Laboratory classes will offer the student the practical experience of image quality control, on selected imaging equipment currently used in diagnostic medicine together with practical applications of the concepts studied in MDPH 614 and MDPH 615.
Terms: Summer 2025
Instructors: Watson, Peter; Stroian, Gabriela (Summer)
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MDPH 609 Radiation Biology (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : Deals with the effects and mode of action of ionizing radiation on biological material from molecular interactions, through sub-cellular and cellular levels of organization, to the response of tissues, organs and the whole body. Includes the application of radiation biology to oncology and the biological aspects of environmental radiation exposure.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Ybarra, Norma (Winter)
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MDPH 610 Instrumentation and Computation in Medical Physics 2 (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : A course on electronics, computer programming, and instrumentation as applied to medical physics. A basic knowledge of electronics and computers is assumed, but the detailed course contents may vary from year to year, depending on the background of the students.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
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MDPH 613 Health Physics (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : The hazards of ionizing radiations and the safe handling of radiation sources. Topics covered include basic principles; safety codes, laws and regulations; organization of radiation safety; and practical safety measures and procedures.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Patrocinio, Horacio J (Fall)
Corequisite: MDPH 601
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MDPH 614 Physics of Diagnostic Radiology (3 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : A rigorous treatment of the physical principles and the instrumentation of radiology, computed tomography and ultrasound medical imaging systems. Special attention is paid to the analysis of the relations between imaging system design, image quality, and safety. Measurement techniques for the evaluation of medical imaging systems are reviewed.
Terms: Winter 2025
Instructors: Watson, Peter; Stroian, Gabriela (Winter)
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MDPH 615 Physics of Nuclear Medicine (2 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : The physics of radioactivity and the applications of radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals in medical diagnosis. Topics covered include radiation spectrometry, the scintillation camera, image analysis and data processing in nuclear medicine, single photon emission tomography, and positron emission tomography.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Levesque, Ives; Abbasi Nejad Enger, Shirin (Fall)
Corequisite: MDPH 601
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MDPH 618 Anatomy and Physiology for Medical Physics (3 credits)
Overview
Medical Physics : Basic anatomy, physiology and oncology. The review of statistics will focus on study design and hypotheses testing in health studies. Focus on anatomic structures, their relationships, their cross-sectional and planar projections. Imaging and radiation treatment planning methods will be reviewed by anatomic region, as they apply to: central nervous system, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis and extremities.
Terms: Fall 2024
Instructors: Parker, William A; Ybarra, Norma (Fall)
Restriction(s): Only open to students enrolled in the MSc in Medical Radiation Physics program.
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PHIL 643 Seminar: Medical Ethics (3 credits) *
Overview
Philosophy : An advanced course devoted to a particular philosophical problem as it arises in the context of medical practice or the application of medical technology.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken PHIL 543.
