PhD in Medical Biophysics - Medical Physics Specialization

In addition to our graduate programs, the Department of Medical Biophysics offers a CAMPEP -accredited specialization for PhD students interested in a Medical Physics career. Medical Physics spans research, development, and clinical trials involving medical imaging and radiotherapy technologies.

In this specialization within our PhD program, students complete a thesis-based PhD, while completing a structured medical physics course curriculum. The specialized program provides a research-intensive environment that immerses students in clinical technologies pertinent to medical imaging, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Cutting edge research involving machine learning, theranostics, and heavy particle therapy are ongoing. Students gain skills to pursue the production of high quality research and develop leadership skills.

Upon completion of their PhD, students who fulfill the Medical Physics course curriculum receive a letter of attestation from the Program Director, certifying that all required courses and modules have been successfully completed.

More information about the program can be found below.

Admission Requirements - Medical Physics Specialization within the Medical Biophysics PhD program

Students wanting to enroll in the Medical Physics PhD Specialization must first apply to and be accepted into the Medical Biophysics PhD program.

Admission consideration to the Medical Biophysics PhD requires:

  • completion of an appropriate master's degree from a recognized university 

  • a minimum A- average in the final two years of study. This is flexible for those demonstrating exceptional aptitude for research.

  • submission and evaluation of all supplemental application material as outlined on the Admission Requirements and Deadlines page of our website.

  • an admissions interview for all candidates who are a potential fit for the program.

To be eligible for admission to the Medical Physics PhD specialization, students must also have:

  1. completed an undergraduate degree in physics or an equivalent, relevant quantitative physical or engineering science, or have least three upper level (3rd or 4th year) half-courses in traditional physics such as classical mechanics/dynamics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory thermal physics, atomic/nuclear physics, optical physics, or laboratory physics.

    Applicants with a non-physics majors must have coursework that is equivalent to a minor in physics, as defined by the University of Toronto, involving upper-level physics (e.g., PHY356H1, PHY357H1) and calculus courses.

  2. their supervisor's approval in order to be eligible for a transfer into the Medical Physics PhD Specialization. This type of transfer must be completed by the end of their first year of study as a PhD student.

  3. students must notify the program director and the MBP office within 1 year of beginning their PhD program.

For more information on admission requirements and application procedures for MBP Graduate programs, please visit the Admission Requirements and Deadlines page.

Courses - Medical Physics PhD Specialization

In addition to the mandatory course requirements of the MBP PhD program, students enrolled in the MBP PhD Medical Physics Specialization will be required to complete the following courses:

  • MBP 1023H: Clinical Radiation Physics and Dosimetry

  • MBP 1301H: Radiation Oncology: Clinical & Experimental Radiobiology

  • MBP 1407H: Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Overview

  • MBP 1411H: Overview of Medical Imaging

  • MBP 1412H: Ultrasound Overview

  • MBP 1415H: Radiotherapy Physics

  • MBP 1416H: Anatomy & Physiology (for Non-Specialists or Physicists)

  • MBP 1417H: Introduction to Health Physics

Please note that modules are available to all MBP students with suitable prerequisites. They can be taken pre-emptively for MSc students who are considering reclassification into the PhD Specialization.

For more information about courses, including detailed course descriptions, please refer to the MBP Course Modules page.

CAMPEP Accredited Postgraduate Information

CAMPEP (Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs) and SDAMPP (Society of Directors of Academic Medical Physics Programs) require all medical physics education programs to post and maintain data regarding student statistics as indicated below.

Academic Year
 
2023
(Inaugural Year)
2024
 
2025
 
Number of Applicants TBD    
Number of Applicants 
Offered Admission
TBD    
Number of Applicants 
who Matriculated 
(accepted offer to begin studies)
TBD    
Cumulative Number 
of Students in Program
TBD    
Number of Students 
Graduated
TBD    
Cumulative Graduates TBD    
Number of Graduates 
in Residencies
TBD    
Number of Graduates 
in Industry
TBD    
Number of Graduates 
in Clinical Positions
TBD    
Number of Graduates 
in Academic Positions
TBD    
Number of Graduates 
in Other Activities
TBD