Medical Physics

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U courses in: English, Advanced Functions (MHF4U), two of Physics (SPH4U), Biology (SBI4U) or Chemistry (SCH4U).

Notes:

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
   
2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the range of 70 percent) will be determined subject to competition.
   
3. Completion of all three science courses is recommended. Physics (SPH4U) is strongly recommended.
   
4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

First Year: The BSc (Hons) in Medical Physics shares a point of entry with the programs in Biology and Chemistry. This allows students to explore various science-based routes to degree completion before they commit to the Medical Physics program. In addition to foundation courses, the first year of studies will include an introduction to the use of computers as scientific tools, and an orientation course that will support students in making a successful transition to university and planning their steps to degree completion. All students in Science programs must enrol in SCI 180 in their first semester of studies.

Upper Years: In the upper years, students will develop expertise and technical skills in physics, focusing on the applications of physics principles and methodologies in medicine, such as diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Students will also explore applications in health physics which deals with environmental exposures to radiation. Laboratory work will provide students with relevant practical experiences, reinforcing key concepts. In the final year, students will consolidate their learning by undertaking an independent, faculty-supervised thesis project in an area of their academic focus.

Students can also select to participate in the Co-operative program. All students enrolled in Medical Physics have the option to enrol in the Management Science Specialization.

An optional co-operative program is available which provides the graduating students with 12 months of work experience that enhances their organizational and technical abilities as well as their oral and written communication skills.

Although the Career & Co-op Centre cannot guarantee work term employment, they provide assistance in locating suitable positions and counselling students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-op program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.

Students who have completed the first year of the Medical Physics program can apply through the Career & Co-op Centre for admission to the co-operative education program at the end of first year during our spring/summer admissions period. This is the only time for students to apply to Co-op.

Enrolment in the co-op program is limited.  Admission will be based on a criteria which includes the student's grade point average, courses completed, a resume, statement of intent and interview if deemed necessary. 

To be admitted into the co-­op program, students must have all first year courses completed and a CLEAR Academic Standing. Students who are direct entry/transfer are not permitted into the program except on an exceptional case by case basis. Students who are ahead with significant course credits are not permitted into the program except on an exceptional case by case basis.  All decisions regarding admission into the program are final and at the discretion of the Career and Co-op Centre.

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis. Students must successfully complete a minimum of three work terms in order to graduate from the co-op program. All co-op placements must be approved by the Office of Co-operative Education (opens in new window)  and the Medical Physics Co-op Faculty Advisor.

Students can enrich their studies and hone their management skills with the Optional Specialization in Management Sciences. Courses within the optional specialization cover four major areas in management sciences: Strategic Engineering Management, Operations Management/Operations Research, Finance and Organizational Behaviour. For eligibility, registration, and course information see Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OS MS).

Research Practicum

SCI 999 - Research Practicum gives students the chance to gain hands-on research experience, in a lab or in the field, by engaging in the research work of a faculty member. Toronto Met records participation in the practicum on the student’s Official Transcript.

SCI 999 is a non-credit, pass-fail course that is not used to fulfil degree program requirements. Students who meet the expectations for the research will get a passing grade. These expectations will be worked out between the student and the professor at enrolment. To take part in SCI 999, students must have a CGPA of 2.5 or more, and they must commit to a minimum of 5 to 10 hours each week (on average) for one term.

There are no tuition fees associated with this practicum.

How to Enrol

1. Students must first find a supervisor. Descriptions of faculty research are available on the Faculty of Science website (opens in new window) .
2. Students should contact supervisors whose research interests them by email or in person. Students must give their potential supervisor an unofficial transcript (opens in new window) , a one-page resumé and a brief covering letter. This package must include their contact information, degree program and stream, a brief statement of their career goals and how this research experience would further those goals, and any relevant work experience (paid or volunteer).
3. Follow the instructions available in the  (PDF file) Research Practicum Application Form (opens in new window) .
   

Students graduating from the program will acquire training in the multidisciplinary field that is of critical importance to Canada. Graduating students will have the necessary skills to:

• be admitted into a graduate program in Medical Physics, Medical Biophysics, Biophysics or Physics (Additional physics courses might be required);
• secure an entry level position in Health Physics (with, for example, Hydro One);
• secure industrial employment in the biomedical technology, bioinformatics and health sectors;
• secure a Clinical Physics Assistant or Research Assistant position at an Ontario Cancer Centre;
• work as technicians in research laboratories or companies; as well as
  
• proceed to professional school (Medicine, Education, Business and Law).

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

PCS 40A/B is a two-term course.

PCS 40A/B is a two-term course.

These WKT sequencing are for students admitted Fall 2020 and before. Students admitted Fall 2021 and after see revised WKT sequencing below.

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Option 3:

These revised WKT sequences are for students admitted Fall 2021 and after.

The sequencing of academic and work terms is shown below:

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

Each work term is assessed by the School's Faculty Advisor on the basis of the student's comprehensive written report and the employer's evaluation of the student's performance on the job.

Students must successfully complete 3 co-op WKT’s in order to graduate from their program of study with a Co-op designation. Once the requirements are satisfied, being able to do another work term is at the discretion of the Career & Co-op Centre.

The co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Medical Physics. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Career & Co-op Centre and the Faculty Advisor for the Medical Physics co-op program.

Additional information about co-op can be found on the Co-operative Education website.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Ana Sofía Barrows
Senior Manager, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Perimeter Institute (Alumnus)

Dr. Stephen Breen
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto
Head of Medical Physics Department
Odette Cancer Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
 
Dr. Kieran Murphy
MB, BCH, BAO, BSC, LRCPI, LRCSI, FRCPC, FSIR
Professor
Research Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto
Clinician Scientist
Krembil Research Institute
Cancer Clinical Research Unit (CCRU), Princess Margaret Cancer Centre
Medical Director
UHN International Strategy

Dr. Alla Reznik
Professor
Department of Physics, Lakehead University
Canada Research Chair in Physics of Molecular Imaging
 
Dr. Kevin Rod
MD, CCFP, FCFP
Founder and Medical Director
Toronto Poly Clinic
Founder and CEO
Zendose Inc.

Katharina Sixel
Assistant Professor
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto        
Chief of Physics
Durham Regional Cancer Centre