Medical Physics
Master of Medical Physics
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
LF034 |
Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics |
|
LC046 |
Master of Medical Physics |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time or part time according to candidate choice.
3 Master's type
4 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any course in this sequence. Only the highest award completed will be conferred.
5 Admission to candidature
(1)
With approval from the Dean, available places will be offered to qualified applicants according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics requires a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has a major in physics or equivalent.
(a)
a bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering with a minimum credit average from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification, provided the applicant has a major in physics or equivalent or
(b)
completion of the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification with a grade point average of 3.25/5 or better.
6 Requirements for award
(1)
The units of study that may be taken for these awards are set out in the Medical Physics postgraduate coursework degrees table.
(2)
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics a candidate must complete 48 credit points of core units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the Master of Medical Physics a candidate must complete 72 credit points of core units of study.
7 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to persons who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and persons who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016, or later date as the faculty may, in special circumstances, approve.
Course overview
The Master of Medical Physics (MMedPhys) and the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics (GradDipMedPhys) are the entry level qualifications for trainee medical physicists. Physical scientists apply their knowledge and training in many different areas of medicine including the treatment of cancer, medical imaging, physiological monitoring and medical electronics.
Course outcomes
The MMedPhys and GradDipMedPhys provide the entry level qualification for trainee medical physicists working in a hospital medical physics department. Both courses are accredited by the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM). Graduates of these courses will qualify to apply for trainee medical physicist positions in hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Medical physicists employed in hospitals often undertake research studies part-time for the higher Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) research degree.
Units of study table
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
All Degrees: Core Units |
|||
| PHYS5002 Anatomy & Biol Essentials for Physicists |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5029 Nuclear Medicine Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| PHYS5005 Radiotherapy Physics |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5006 Medical Imaging Physics |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| PHYS5020 Computation and Image Processing |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
Masters: Additional Core Unit |
|||
| PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project |
24 | P Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 2 |
Unit of study descriptions 2012
PHYS5002 Anatomy & Biol Essentials for Physicists
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, introduces the concepts and nomenclature of the structure of the human cell, tissues, anatomical structure and physiology. The organisation and function of major organ systems that constitute the human body are covered. Examples of pathology of diseases commonly encountered in the practice of medical physics such as cancer, will be included. Basic principles of cell and molecular biology and molecular imaging will also be introduced. The course has been designed specifically for physics students with no prior knowledge of the field.
PHYS5029 Nuclear Medicine Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2-hour lecture and one 1-hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit of study will introduce the student to the physics associated with diagnostic and therapeutic applications in Nuclear Medicine. This will cover the use of radionuclides for imaging in single photon (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET), radiation and the patient, tomographic image reconstruction and kinetic analysis of imaging data. Internal radionuclide dosimtery will be addressed using standard (MIRD) models as well as by voxel-based estimators.
PHYS5005 Radiotherapy Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, both theoretical and practical aspects of the major topics in radiotherapy physics are covered. These topics include radiation beam production and modification, calibration and characterisation, principles of treatment planning, dose calculation and reporting, and the physics of brachytherapy.
PHYS5006 Medical Imaging Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, the physical principles underlying the physics of imaging in diagnostic radiology, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and functional imaging modalities are covered. Advanced techniques, such as multi-modality imaging, are also introduced.
PHYS5011 Nuclear Physics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 3 hour lecture per week Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science or the Master of Medical Physics or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics. Nuclear properties, nuclear models, nuclear decays (gamma, beta, alpha and heavy ion decay), natural radioactivity and radioactive decay series, artificial radioactivity, nuclear reactions (including high energy nuclear particle induced spallation reactions), nuclear fission (spontaneous and induced fission) and nuclear fusion are covered.
PHYS5012 Radiation Physics and Dosimetry
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Sources of radiation, interaction of radiation with matter, physical, chemical and biological effects of radiation in human tissue, physical principles of dosimetry, internal and external dosimetry, radiation units and measurement are covered.
PHYS5018 Health Physics and Radiation Protection
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 2 hour lecture and one 1 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
This unit is normally undertaken as part of the Master of Medical Physics degree or in the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics or the Master of Applied Nuclear Science or the Graduate Diploma in Applied Nuclear Science. Physical and biological aspects of the safe use of ionising radiation, physical principles and underlying shielding design instrumentation, international and legislative requirements for radiation protection are covered. Factors affecting dose response of tissue are considered along with models describing characteristic behaviour.
PHYS5019 Research Methodology and Project
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: Successful completion of the eight coursework units of the postgraduate coursework Masters degree for which the student is enrolled, equivalent to completion of the requirements for award of the Graduate Diploma. Assessment: Report, research seminar (100%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
In this unit a research project is undertaken. The topic of the project will be determined in consultation with the course coordinator. In addition, the processes involved in conducting various forms of research, basic data analysis and interpretation, research writing and presentation skills are covered.
PHYS5020 Computation and Image Processing
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: One 1 hour lecture and one 2 hour practical per week. Assessment: Assignments, written exam (100%)
In this unit normally undertaken as part of the Masters of Medical Physics degree or the Graduate Diploma in Medical Physics, Monte Carlo modelling of radiation transport is covered, along with the theory of image formation, concepts of computing, numerical methods and image processing, including techniques such as enhancement, registration, fusion and 3D reconstruction.