Program Overview

Overview of the Major in Health Physics

The Major in Health Physics is a program that focuses on the science of radiation safety. Health physicists work in industry and medical and research facilities to protect people and the environment from natural and man-made sources of radiation while also ensuring society can obtain the benefits of radiation with minimal risks.

Program Description

Students in the Health Physics major will begin their studies with foundational science courses including physics, biology, math, and chemistry. Health physics courses will provide a sound foundation in the basic skills essential to the health physics profession. All students in the Health Physics major will complete a professional internship for academic credit.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to health physics.
2. Demonstrate effective communication of health consequences, and risk management to workers and the public.
3. Understand the impact of solutions to contemporary public health issues in a global and societal context.
4. Apply techniques, skills, and modern scientific and technical tools necessary for professional practice of health physics.

Program Requirements

The program requires a total of 120 credits. The curriculum is as follows:

• Freshman:
  • BZ 101: Humans and Other Animals (GT-SC2) (3 credits)
  • CHEM 107: Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2) (4 credits)
  • CHEM 108: Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1) (1 credit)
  • CO 150: College Composition (GT-CO2) (3 credits)
  • MATH 160: Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) (4 credits)
  • MATH 161: Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) (4 credits)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
  • Electives (4 credits)
• Sophomore:
  • PH 121: General Physics I (GT-SC1) (5 credits)
  • PH 122: General Physics II (GT-SC1) (5 credits)
  • PHIL 110: Logic and Critical Thinking (GT-AH3) (3 credits)
  • Arts and Humanities (3 credits)
  • Historical Perspectives (3 credits)
  • Electives (7 credits)
• Junior:
  • BMS 300: Principles of Human Physiology (4 credits)
  • CO 300 or 301B: Writing Arguments (GT-CO3) or Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO3) (3 credits)
  • ERHS 310: Basic Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I (3 credits)
  • ERHS 312: Basic Radiological Physics and Dosimetry II (3 credits)
  • ERHS 450: Introduction to Radiation Biology (3 credits)
  • STAT 301: Introduction to Applied Statistical Methods (3 credits)
  • Program Electives (minimum of 15 credits)
• Senior:
  • ERHS 311: Basic Nuclear Measurements and Instruments (1 credit)
  • ERHS 400: Radiation Safety (3 credits)
  • ERHS 461: Introduction to Radiation Public Health (3 credits)
  • ERHS 488: Internship--Health Physics (7-10 credits)
  • Electives (14-17 credits)

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program

To prepare for the first semester, the curriculum for the Health Physics major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre-calculus requirements in the first semester.

Semester-by-Semester Plan

A detailed semester-by-semester plan is provided to help students stay on track and complete the program requirements. The plan includes critical and recommended courses for each semester, as well as the total credits required for each semester.

Program Total Credits

The total credits required for the program is 120 credits, with at least 42 credits being upper-division (300- to 400-level). Students must select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits.