Course Overview

Course overview

The overall learning objective for the course is to provide you with the multidisciplinary skill set and knowledge required to design, conduct and lead medical physics and radiobiology research, and to deliver medical physics and radiobiology in the health service.

On completion of the course, students will be able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Explain the underpinning physics which governs the interactions between ionising radiation and biological tissues
• Critically analyse the effects of ionising radiation on DNA and the associated DNA damage response, with respect to their effects on cell survival.
• Critically appraise the irradiation response of cells and tissues, including the factors that modify this response, with respect to how this may affect clinical practice.
• Apply the scientific method to address research questions within the field of radiobiology or medical physics.
• Critically discuss the implementation of radiation safety precautions, with respect to the mechanism of damage from radiation exposure, and the legislative requirements which govern radiation protection.
• Explain the mechanisms of action of a range both ionising and non-ionising radiation imaging technologies, with respect to their clinical use.
• Use fundamental physics of radiation action to analyse the effects of clinical radiotherapy technologies and techniques.
• Critically evaluate new developments in ionising and non-ionising imaging, and clinical radiotherapy
• Critically appraise the role of simple and advanced analytical techniques within medical physics research.

Students will also demonstrate the transferable skills of:

• Critical assessment, including sourcing, appraisal, and evaluation of published material
• Scientific writing, including the development of reasoned and well-supported arguments
• Data handling and interpretation, including use of statistical methods
• Use of information technology to support scientific research and the production of academic reports
• Time and resource management
• Familiarity with laboratory safety and health and safety at work
• Written and oral communication and presentation skills

Our graduates pursue diverse and impactful careers, having gained skills and knowledge that are highly valued across various sectors. The data below show the reported destinations for students completing MSc Medical Physics with Radiobiology in the 2023-24 academic year.

• Medical Training: 17%
• MRes: 8%
• PhD/DPhil (applying): 17%
• PhD/DPhil (starting): 8%
• Academic research: 8%
• Funded Internship: 25%
• Industry: 17%