Program Overview

---

Program Overview

The Health Physics B.S. program at Colorado State University Online empowers students to build a rewarding career in radiation safety and protection. This program equips students with specialized knowledge and practical skills to safeguard people and the environment from harmful radiation exposure while enabling society to benefit safely from its applications.

Degree Details

• The program is offered online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace.
• The same faculty, high academic standards, and affordable in-state tuition apply to online students as to on-campus students.
• The program requires 120 credits to complete, with a tuition fee of $490 per credit.
• The degree awarded is a Bachelor of Science in Health Physics.
• The time frame for completion is 2 to 4 years, depending on transfer credits.

Curriculum

The curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of health physics, including:

• Foundational sciences (mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology)
• Industry-relevant training
• Hands-on experience through internships
• Specialized courses in radiation safety, radiation biology, and radiation protection

Freshman Year

• BZ 101: Humans and Other Animals (3 cr.)
• CHEM 107: Fundamentals of Chemistry (4 cr.)
• CHEM 108: Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr.)
• CO 150: College Composition (3 cr.)
• MATH 160: Calculus for Physical Scientists I (4 cr.)
• MATH 161: Calculus for Physical Scientists II (4 cr.)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (AUCC 1C) (3 cr.)
• Social and Behavioral Sciences (AUCC 3C) (3 cr.)
• Electives (4 cr.)

Sophomore Year

• PH 121: General Physics I (5 cr.)
• PH 122: General Physics II (5 cr.)
• PHIL 110: Logic and Critical Thinking (3 cr.)
• Arts and Humanities (AUCC 3B) (3 cr.)
• Historical Perspectives (AUCC 3D) (3 cr.)
• Electives (7 cr.)

Junior Year

• BMS 300: Principles of Human Physiology (4 cr.)
• ERHS 310: Basic Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I (3 cr.)
• ERHS 312: Basic Radiological Physics and Dosimetry II (3 cr.)
• ERHS 450: Introduction to Radiation Biology (3 cr.)
• STAT 301: Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods (3 cr.)
• CO 300: Writing Arguments (4 cr.) or CO 301B: Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (3 cr.)
• Program electives (minimum of 15 credits)

Senior Year

• ERHS 311: Basic Nuclear Measurements and Instruments (1 cr.)
• ERHS 400: Radiation Safety (3 cr.)
• ERHS 461: Introduction to Radiation Public Health (3 cr.)
• ERHS 488: Internship--Health Physics (7-10 cr.)
• Electives (14-17 cr.)

Faculty

The program is taught by world-class faculty, including:

• Alexander Brandl, Ph.D. (Physics, University of New Mexico)
• Thomas Johnson, Ph.D. (Health Physics, Purdue University)
• Del Leary, Ph.D. (Medical Physics, Dalhousie University)
• Ralf Sudowe, Ph.D. (Nuclear Chemistry, Philipps-Universitat Marburg)

Degree Minors

Students can choose from a variety of degree minors, including:

• Agricultural Business
• Anthropology
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Design Thinking
• Economics
• Gerontology
• Global and Environmental Sustainability
• History
• Horticulture
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Interdisciplinary Global Studies
• Interdisciplinary Information Science and Technology
• Journalistic Reporting and Storytelling
• Machine Learning
• Media Studies
• Music, Stage, and Sports Production
• Political Science
• Science Communication
• Sociology

Undergraduate Certificates

The university offers various undergraduate certificates, including:

• Climate Change and Society
• Design Thinking Certificate
• Disability and Neurodiversity
• Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
• Integrated Pest Management
• International Economics
• Macroeconomics
• Spanish for Animal Health and Care
• Seed Science and Technology

How to Apply

To apply for the Health Physics B.S. program, students must:

1. Review admission requirements
2. Talk with a student success coach
3. Complete the online application
4. Apply for financial aid (optional)
5. Check application status

Application Dates

• Fall semester: June 1
• Spring semester: November 1
• Summer semester: May 1