Program Overview

Introduction to the Master's Program in Medical Physics

The Master's Program in Medical Physics is a joint initiative of the Instituto Superior Técnico, the Faculty of Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon. This program aims to address the need for highly qualified professionals in Medical Physics in Portugal.

Historical Context

The second edition of the Master's Program in Medical Physics will take place during the 2025/2026 academic year.

Objectives

The Master's Program in Medical Physics aims to provide students with a comprehensive and integrated understanding of the scientific, technical, technological, socio-economic, legal, and ethical aspects associated with Medical Physics. The program's curriculum is based on:

• Updated recommendations from the European Commission and the European Federation of Organisations for Medical Physics
• Regulations, norms, and safety standards from the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization
• Similar courses existing in reference universities
• Compliance with the Regulation on the Recognition of Specialists in Medical Physics, published in annex to Ordinance No. 254/2021, of November 16

The program offers a diverse range of optional curricular units, mostly shared with other master's programs at IST (Master's in Radiological Protection and Safety, Master's in Technological Physical Engineering, Master's in Biomedical Engineering), FCUL (Master's in Biomedical and Biophysical Engineering, Master's in Physical Engineering), and FMUL (Integrated Master's in Medicine, Master's in Biomedical Research). This diversifies student training and facilitates access to optional curricular units. In addition to practical classes in laboratory infrastructures, some of which are unique in the country, practical classes are also offered at the Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte and the Instituto Portuguęs de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil, recognized hospital units.

Target Audience

The Master's Program in Medical Physics is designed for graduates in Physics, Physical Engineering, or Biomedical Engineering, and other areas with a strong component in Physics and Mathematics. The course is taught in Portuguese, and some curricular units may be taught in English if there are international students or students enrolled in mobility programs.

Professional Outcomes

Graduates of the Master's Program in Medical Physics can obtain certification as Specialists in Medical Physics through a process promoted by the Central Administration of Health Systems (ACSS), in accordance with Ordinance 96/2024/1 of March 11. They can work in sectors such as Health, Industry, Environment, Research, and Regulation, in areas like Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Dosimetry, and Radiological Protection.

Graduates are qualified to contribute to activities such as:

• Development, implementation, and optimization of medical technologies for diagnosis and therapy
• Development of quality assurance and control programs for medical devices
• Optimization and guarantee of radiological protection and safety for patients, health professionals, the public, and the environment
• Scientific research and development of new equipment and processes for diagnosis and therapy
• Commercialization of products, equipment, and processes
• Functions in competent and inspection entities
• Functions of consultancy, leadership, management, and direction
• Professional training and teaching

For information on specialized training leading to the title of Specialist in Medical Physics, the Central Administration of the Health System should be consulted.

Official Publications

The program's official publications include:

• Dispatch No. 9753/2024, DR No. 162, II Series, of August 22, pages 1 to 6
• [DGES] Registration of alteration No. R/A-CR 1/2024
• Dispatch No. 6046/2024, DR No. 103, II Series, of May 28, pages 1 to 7
• [DGES] Initial registration No. R/A-CR 1/2024
• [A3ES] Process No. NCE/22/ - Decision of the CA (accredited for 6 years, from July 31, 2023)
• [A3ES] Process No. NCE/22/ - Presentation of the application

Program Coordinators

For the 2025/2026 academic year, the program coordinator is José Gonçalves Marques.