Program Overview

Master of Science in Radiological Health Sciences, Plan B, Health Physics Specialization

The Master of Science in Radiological Health Sciences, Plan B, Health Physics Specialization is a graduate program that focuses on the discipline of health physics, which involves using radiation for the benefit of society while ensuring that the benefits are obtained without unreasonable risks to humans or the environment.

Overview

Health physics is a profession that has evolved into a necessary part of all applications involving radiation, including radiation use in medical and industrial settings. Successful professionals in health physics have broad backgrounds in physics, biology, and instrumentation, and understand risks and risk analysis. The program provides a sound foundation in the basic skills essential to the health physics profession, with opportunities for students to concentrate on specific areas of interest through a wide selection of elective courses.

Requirements

The program requires a total of 32-35 credits, including:

• ERHS 530: Radiological Physics and Dosimetry I (3 credits)
• ERHS 531: Nuclear Instruments and Measurements (2 credits)
• ERHS 550: Principles of Radiation Biology (3-5 credits) or ERHS 450: Introduction to Radiation Biology
• ERHS 561: Radiation Public Health (2 credits)
• ERHS 563: Environmental Contaminant Modeling I (2 credits) or ERHS 570: Radioecology
• ERHS 630: Radiological Physics and Dosimetry II (3 credits)
• ERHS 632: Techniques in Radiation Dosimetry (1 credit)
• ERHS 665: Radiochemistry (3 credits)
• ERHS 693D: Research Seminar: Health Physics (1 credit)
• ERHS 786: Practicum (3 credits)
• Select one of the following courses: ERHS 544/STAT 544: Biostatistical Methods for Quantitative Data, ERHS 555: Quantitative Methods for Radiation Safety, or STAR 511: Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (3-4 credits)
• Select at least 3 credits from the following: ERHS 446: Environmental Toxicology, ERHS 502: Fundamentals of Toxicology, ERHS 515: Non-Ionizing Radiation Safety, ERHS 520: Environmental and Occupational Health Issues, ERHS 526: Industrial Hygiene, ERHS 527: Industrial Hygiene Laboratory, ERHS 555: Quantitative Methods for Radiation Safety, ERHS 563: Environmental Contaminant Modeling I, ERHS 565: Chemical and Biological Warfare Agents, ERHS 570: Radioecology, ERHS 698: Research, ERHS 726: Aerosols and Environmental Health, STAR 512: Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II, or STAT 547/CIVE 547: Statistics for Environmental Monitoring (3 credits)
• 500-level or greater elective course (3 credits)

Learning Objectives

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

1. Apply knowledge of health physics and related fields or specialties, including statistics, radiobiology, radiochemistry, and radioecology.
2. Formulate a hypothesis, design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data.
3. Develop and implement a program to meet radiation safety needs of workers and protection of the general public.
4. Function independently and on multi-disciplinary teams.
5. Identify and solve health physics problems.
6. Adhere to the standards of professional and ethical responsibility of the field.
7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
8. Understand the impact of solutions to contemporary public health issues in a global and societal context.
9. Use the techniques, skills, and modern scientific and technical tools necessary for professional practice of health physics.

Accreditation

The M.S. in Radiological Health Sciences, Plan B, Health Physics Specialization is accredited by the Applied Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Summary of Procedures for the Master's Degree

The program follows the standard procedures for master's degrees, including:

1. Application for admission
2. Diagnostic examination (when required)
3. Appointment of advisor
4. Selection of graduate committee
5. Filing of program of study
6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD)
7. Report of preliminary examination
8. Changes in committee
9. Application for graduation
10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee
11. Final examination
12. Report of final examination
13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form to the Graduate School
14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically
15. Graduation