Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Bulletin 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Radiation and Radiological Sciences, PhD


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Medical Physics is a profession that includes clinical, industrial and academic practices. The Radiation and Radiological Sciences PhD program is designed primarily for students who desire to enter a clinical career, but who want to acquire the additional skills and credentials that accompany a PhD. This educational program is provided by the Departments of Radiation Medicine and Radiology, both of which are clinical departments within the UK Healthcare enterprise, thus providing a unique culture and context to the training. Research areas involve collaborative efforts between students, clinical physicists and physicians, and often possess direct clinical applicability. The collaborative nature of the program structure allows for didactic, clinical and research training in therapeutic and diagnostic medical physics.  Addition information is available on our website at https://radiationmedicine.med.uky.edu/radiation-sciences-graduate-program . 

 

Admission Requirements  

A BS or MS in Physics is desirable, but students possessing related physical science backgrounds are eligible and qualified. At a minimum, candidates must show the equivalence of a minor in physics in all undergraduate work, as defined by the American Board of Radiology and CAMPEP. To meet the Minor in Physics requirement, candidates must have completed the following: 1) Calculus through Ordinary Differential Equations; 2) The Calculus based introductory General Physics sequence with labs (2 semesters); and 3) Three upper division Physics electives (junior level or above).  Courses in Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Computer Science, and Scientific Statistics are preferred but, if missing, may be incorporated into the graduate program at the discretion of the Director of Graduate Studies. An undergraduate GPA of 3.50 is highly desirable.  The General GRE exam is required.  While there are no absolute minimum scores required, a score on the Verbal section at or above the 60th percentile and a score on the Quantitative section at or above the 80th percentile are desirable.  

An interview is required of all applicants being considered for admission.  Fluent spoken English skills are required and are assessed during the interview. In addition, observation or job shadowing of an certified clinical Medical Physicist is very important when considering applicants for admission. Three Letters of Recommendation and a personal statement are also required.  The deadline for applications is April 30th, however, offers for admission are usually made early in the preceding Spring semester with completion of the class roster by May. Therefore, it is recommended that applications be completed by January 31 to assure full consideration. 

 

Degree Requirements  

A minimum of 52 credit hours are required for the PhD degree consisting of 34 core credit hours and 18 elective credit hours. The elective credit hours (18) must include at least 6 hours of graduate level (i.e., 4xxG, 5xx, 6xx or 7xx) didactic coursework covering related topics in science, engineering, or medicine.  The intent of this requirement is to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and to develop rigorous scientific skills. The selection of the specific courses is variable. The remaining 12 elective credit hours may be fulfilled by any combination obtained from the list of “Available PhD Electives” below. These credits must be approved by the student’s dissertation advisor. In addition, completion of 48 hours is required for pre‐qualifying residency. Post-qualifying residency must be a minimum or 4 credit hours of RAS 767 . Students must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for retention in the program. A student’s progress will be reviewed annually by their graduate committee and any deficiencies or concerns identified will be followed up with the student. The qualifying exam will consist of two major components, one written and one oral. Students must pass both to be allowed to progress in the PhD program. The written component will be a problem-based exam consisting of 4 subject areas. These are:  

  1. General Radiological Physics and Dosimetry 
  2. General Physics of Medical Imaging 
  3. General Physics of Radiation Therapy 
  4. Elective Subject (select one from the following list) 
    1. Advanced Radiation Therapy Physics 
    2. Advanced Medical Imaging Physics 
    3. Other topic approved by the Advisory Committee 

The written exam is given over a two non-sequential day period. Day one will cover subject areas 1, 2, and 3 while day two will cover section 4. The written exam will typically be taken in the second year of the program and a score of 50% or greater will be required in order to pass. Students who do not pass on the first attempt will be allowed a second attempt. If the second attempt is unsuccessful then the student will not be allowed to proceed in the PhD program. Such students will, however, be allowed to attempt to complete the degree requirements for an En passant MS degree in Radiation Sciences and be awarded that degree upon successful completion. The qualifying oral exam will be taken after successful completion of the written exam, but typically not to exceed 3 years from the initial date of enrollment. The student must orally defend a proposal for the selected dissertation topic. The proposal defense will be delivered to the student’s dissertation advisory committee.  

 

Required Core Courses (34 credit hours) 

RAS 472G /RM 472G INTERACTION OF RADIATION WITH MATTER  (3) 

RAS 545 /RM 545 /PHY 545 RADIATION HAZARDS AND PROTECTION  (3) 

RAS 546 /RM 546 /PHY 546 GENERAL MEDICAL RADIOLOGICAL PHYSICS  (3) 

RAS 601 /RM 601 ADVANCED RADIATION DOSIMETRY  (2) 

RAS 647 /RM 647 PHYSICS OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING I  (3) 

RAS 648 /RM 648 PHYSICS OF DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING II  (3) 

RAS 649 /RM 649 PHYSICS OF RADIATION THERAPY  (3) 

RAS 651 ADVANCED LABORATORY IN DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING PHYSICS  (2) 

RAS 695 /RM 695 RESEARCH IN HEALTH-RELATED RADIATION SCIENCES  (4) 

RAS 710 RADIATION SCIENCE SEMINAR (SUBTITLE REQUIRED)  (1) 

RAS 711 RESEARCH METHODS IN MEDICAL PHYSICS  (1) 

RM 740 /BIO 740 MAMMALIAN RADIATION BIOLOGY  (2) 

RAS 767 DISSERTATION RESIDENCY CREDIT  (4) 

 

Elective Courses (18 credit hours) Partial Listing

RM 660 GRADUATE PRACTICUM IN RADIATION MEDICINE  (1-6) 

RAS 650 PHYSICS OF RADIATION THERAPY II: BRACHYTHERAPY PHYSICS  (2) 

RM 842 RADIATION ONCOLOGY  (1) 

RM 848 PRACTICUM IN BRACHYTHERAPY PHYSICS  (1-3) 

RM 849 PRACTICUM IN EXTERNAL BEAM THERAPY PHYSICS  (1-6) 

EE 630 DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING  (3) 

EE 635 IMAGE PROCESSING  (3) 

BME 540 BIOMEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION  (3) 

BMI 730 PRINCIPLES OF CLINICAL INFORMATICS  (3) 

Other Electives may be used with approval of the Dissertation Advisor 

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