Program Overview

Introduction to the Medical Physics Program

The Medical Physics program at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus offers Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. This program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP) and provides students with theoretical, practical, and analytical expertise in medical physics.

Program Overview

The MSc degree is centered on conducting research that addresses current healthcare challenges, primarily in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Graduates of the MSc program are prepared for positions in clinical service and consultation, research and development, teaching, or for PhD research. The PhD degree is centered on conducting original research, and graduates are prepared for careers requiring advanced independent research and teaching in academia, cancer centers, research hospitals, government, and industry.

Program Components and Length

The program components and length are as follows:

• Master of Science (MSc): Coursework and thesis, 24 months
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Dissertation, 36-48 months

Why Study the Program at UBC Okanagan?

The medical physics graduate program at UBC's Okanagan campus offers tier-one research-based degrees to students in a collegial, close-knit setting. The dynamic faculty and students are engaged in various research projects, many in close partnership with the BC Cancer Agency and relevant industry.

Master of Science (MSc)

The MSc degree is centered on conducting research that addresses current healthcare challenges, primarily in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Graduates of the MSc program are prepared for positions in clinical service and consultation, research and development, teaching, or for PhD research.

Program Milestones

The program milestones for the MSc degree include:

• Establishing a faculty supervisory committee
• Preparing, presenting, and defending a thesis research proposal
• Completing thesis research, and writing and defending the work

Coursework and Thesis Requirements

The coursework and thesis requirements for the MSc degree include:

• 33 credits of coursework
• Additional coursework may be required, at the discretion of the supervisory committee
• 12-credit MSc thesis (PHYS 549)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The PhD degree is centered on conducting original research, and graduates are prepared for careers requiring advanced independent research and teaching in academia, cancer centers, research hospitals, government, and industry.

Program Milestones

The program milestones for the PhD degree include:

• Establishing a faculty supervisory committee
• Preparing, presenting, and defending a dissertation research proposal
• Passing an oral candidacy examination
• Completing dissertation research and writing, and defending the work

Research and Supervisors

The program has a list of supervisors with their research interests, including:

• Cynthia Araujo: Safe and effective use of radiation for the treatment of cancer
• Deidre Batchelar: Advanced Imaging in Brachytherapy; high precision radiotherapy
• Nathan Becker: Image-guided RT, adaptive RT, quality control, and automation
• Thor Bjarnason: Quality control; radiation safety; patient dose reduction; image quality assessment in planar x-ray and CT
• Marco Carlone: Simulation of linear accelerators; use of magnetic fields in radiotherapy; quality assurance in radiotherapy
• Rebecca Feldman: Medical Imaging, MRI, Pulse Sequence Design, Image Processing, Translational Imaging
• Christina Haston: Radiation oncology; radiation biophysics
• Michelle Hilts: Brachytherapy for breast cancer; 3D radiation dosimetry
• Cornelia Hoehr: Medical isotopes; radiotherapy
• Derek Hyde: Image-guided radiation therapy for high-precision treatments
• Andrew Jirasek: Director, Analytics in Medical Sciences (AiMS) Institute; medical physics; radiation oncology physics; Raman spectroscopy; 3D radiation dosimetry
• Marie-Pierre Milette: Treatment planning optimization; treatment verification
• Rasika Rajapakshe: Medical imaging; deep learning in medical imaging; web and mobile technologies in healthcare; health and medical imaging informatics; cancer risk modeling; decision support systems in oncology
• Tony Teke: Monte Carlo modeling; 4 Pi treatment planning optimization and verification; 4D dose calculation; SBRT/SRS; quality assurance tests for trajectory treatments
• Eric Wright: Image-Guided RT; surface-guided RT; motion management in RT; quality control

Students and Alumni

The program has a list of current students and alumni, and provides information on theses and dissertations.

Tuition and Funding

The tuition fees for the program are as follows:

• MSc: $5,407.56 (domestic), $9,500.19 (international) per year
• PhD: $5,407.56 (domestic), $9,500.19 (international) per year

The program also offers funding opportunities, including:

• Graduate Entrance Award: A $15,000 merit-based entrance scholarship
• Teaching Assistantships: Paid TA positions for up to two years
• Research Assistantships: Paid RA positions, wholly dependent on individual research supervisor's funding
• Scholarships and awards: UBC Awards, external awards, and fellowships

Admission and Applying

The admission requirements for the program include:

• A complete application package with online application, application fee, unofficial transcripts, English language test, CV or resumé, and three reference forms or letters
• A minimum average of B+ (76%) or better in their third- or fourth-year classes
• A named supervisor is not part of the MSc application

The application deadlines are:

• September intake: December 1

Global and Close-Knit

The program is part of a globally ranked, top 3% university, and offers a close-knit learning community.

Discover the Okanagan

The Okanagan region offers a diverse natural landscape, with sandy beaches, beautiful lakes, vineyards, orchards, and snow-capped mountains. The city of Kelowna has a population of over 150,000 people and is a hub of economic development.