Program Overview

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

The Master of Science in Radiological Health Sciences, Plan A, 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. This program is designed to provide students with a sound foundation in the basic skills essential to the health physics profession, including the application of scientific principles and practical knowledge.

Program Description

Health physics is a necessary part of all applications that involve radiation, including the use of radiation 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 is structured to provide a comprehensive education in health physics, with a focus on the development of skills in radiation safety, radiation biology, and radiation physics.

Learning Objectives

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

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

Course Requirements

The program requires a minimum 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)
• ERHS 561: Radiation Public Health (2 credits)
• ERHS 563: Environmental Contaminant Modeling I (2 credits)
• 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, ERHS 555, or STAR 511 (3-4 credits)
• Select at least 3 credits from the following courses: ERHS 446, ERHS 502, ERHS 515, ERHS 520, ERHS 526, ERHS 527, ERHS 555, ERHS 556, ERHS 563, ERHS 570, ERHS 698, ERHS 726, STAR 512, or STAT 547/CIVE 547 (3 credits)
• Thesis: ERHS 699 (3 credits)

Accreditation

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

Program Total Credits

The program requires a minimum of 32-35 credits.

Additional Information

For more information, please refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in health physics, with a focus on the development of skills in radiation safety, radiation biology, and radiation physics. The program is accredited by the Applied Sciences Accreditation Commission of ABET.