Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Graduate Studies Bulletin 
    
2012-2013 Graduate Studies Bulletin [ARCHIVED BULLETIN]

Medical Physics, M.S.


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For more information, please contact Dr. Stephen Lawrence, Physics Department Chairperson, (516) 463-5584.

The master of science in medical physics is a 50-semester-hour program designed for completion in 1.5 years of full-time study, including summer study. Part-time students are also welcome. The M.S. in Medical Physics offers students a strong foundation in the basic science of medical physics and intensive training in one subspecialty of medical physics (either medical imaging or radiation oncology), as well as exposure to a second, related subspecialty (either medical imaging or radiation oncology). The program includes clinical experience in mentored practica at four different sites within the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System and seminars with guest lecturers from the health sciences and industry. The program also offers students the opportunity to carry out basic, applied, and clinical research in medical physics, as well as training in the oral and written communication of medical physics research and ideas.

The prescribed course of study will prepare students for the following:

  1. To qualify for junior physicist/residency positions in medical physics, including residency programs accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs (CAMPEP), in the subspecialties of medical imaging and/or radiation oncology;
  2. to continue on to higher education and/or teaching in medical physics;
  3. to assume appropriate responsibilities in the clinical practice of medical physics under the supervision of a certified medical physicist; and
  4. to meet the highest ethical, safety, and service standards of the profession of medical physics.

The M.S. program in medical physics is taught by a combined staff from Hofstra University, the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, and the Hofstra University North Shore-Long Island Jewish School of Medicine at Hofstra University, under the joint supervision of an academic director from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Hofstra University and a medical director from the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.

Admission Requirements


  1. An undergraduate degree in the sciences with at least a 3.0 average, including courses in calculus (equivalent to Hofstra University’s MATH 071-073), differential equations (equivalent to Hofstra University’s MATH 131), introductory physics (equivalent to Hofstra University’s PHYS 011A, 011B, 012A, 012B), modern physics (equivalent to Hofstra University’s PHYS 118A), electricity and magnetism (equivalent to Hofstra University’s PHYS 104), and 6 semester hours of additional advanced mathematics or physics. Most students with a degree in physics or engineering will meet these requirements. Students with strong backgrounds but lacking some of these requirements may be considered for admission subject to passing appropriate pre-requisite courses with a grade of B or higher.
  2. Two letters of recommendation.
  3. An interview, scheduled at the request of the student or the program directors, is optional.
  4. For non-native speakers of English, a TOEFL may be required unless waived by the program director, after having received evidence of English-language proficiency.
  5. The following qualifications strongly support a student’s candidacy for admission and will be taken into account: a) potential for analytical and critical thinking, laboratory and clinical work, and personal growth; b) prior exposure to clinical medical physics or clinical medicine—for example as a volunteer; c) prior research experience; and d) skill in a major second language in the United States, such as Spanish.

Program Requirements


1) Medical Physics - Total Semester Hours: 50


50 s.h. of course work in medical physics, including the following:

2) Comprehensive Exam


Successful performance on a written comprehensive examination similar to the American Board of Radiology exam parts I and II.

3) B Average or Higher


An average of B or higher in all course work in medical physics.

** Note


** A student enrolled in a medical physics practicum, MPHY 235 or 245, who has not taken the licensure examination or met experience requirements to practice medical physics, must apply for a limited permit to practice medical physics in New York state. A limited permit authorizes the student to practice as a medical physicist under the supervision of a currently registered New York state-licensed medical physicist, and only in the supervisor’s specialty area. When applying for a limited permit, it is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the New York State Certification of Supervision Section I, to forward it to his or her prospective supervisor, and to ensure that the prospective supervisor fully completes the Certification of Supervision Section II. There is a fee for the limited license, which expires two years from the date of issue, and may be renewed for a total of six years.

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