While the study of physics allows students to understand how the universe works, medical physics emphasizes the application of physics ideas and technology to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases in the human body, particularly cancer.
Medical physics students are thoroughly prepared with the same courses and skills in scientific experiments, computation, and mathematics as other physics students, but, in addition, they specialize in the core areas of medical imaging (MRI, ultrasound, CT, nuclear medicine) and radiotherapy (the treatment of cancer with external beam radiation or implanted, radioactive sources). Laboratory classes are taught in part at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre and in the Baker Laboratory for Medical Physics Education.
The Honours Medical Physics program is designed to prepare students for graduate studies in medical physics, which will eventually lead to a career as a certified medical physicist. Graduates of the program have also gone on to medical school and other careers in physics.
The Honours Medical Physics stream fits naturally into this internationally renowned physics department. Further, it collaborates closely with such local health-care institutions as the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, the Henry Ford Hospital, and the University of Windsor Institute for Diagnostic Imaging Research to deliver a practical, highly up-to-date, and relevant curriculum.
The program of study is carefully crafted to retain all of the physics and mathematics contained in a traditional physics degree (allowing maximum career flexibility), while, at the same time, introducing new content in biology, biochemistry, and specialized areas of medical physics, including radiological physics, medical imaging, and radiobiology.
