Medical Physics University of Galway

Overview

The Medical Physics programme at University of Galway  highlights how key physics concepts are applied in medicine, with a particular focus on ionizing radiation for diagnosis and treatment. Students also receive introductory clinical training to see how these principles work in real healthcare settings.

Accredited by CAMPEP, the North American Commission for the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programmes, the MSc allows graduates to apply for US clinical residency programmes required by the American Board of Radiology. Graduates also progress into careers across the medical device sector, healthcare industries, research and development, health and safety, and education.

Careers

The course has been successful in its aims in providing individuals with a good grounding in Medical Physics.

A recent survey showed that around 75% of graduates had found employment in a Medical Physics-based career. This includes those who have pursued or are pursuing a PhD. About 20% are employed abroad, in countries like the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand.

The demand for qualified Medical Physicists in Ireland and abroad has remained high. This is due to several factors. Firstly, there has been an expansion of the number of Radiotherapy and Imaging facilities worldwide with additional expansion of existing facilities.  Additionally, new regulations regarding protection against hazards of ionizing radiation also lay down requirements for additional medical physicists, namely the Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM which was signed into Irish law on 5th February 2019 by Minister Richard Bruton (S.I. No. 30 of 2019, Radiological Protection Act 1991 (Ionising Radiation) Regulations 2019). This directive lays down basic safety standards (BSS) including the education, training and recognition of the medical physics expert (MPE) but also gives recommendations on workforce planning in clinical settings.

The Programme is ideally suited to those wishing to pursue a career in Hospital Physics and Clinical Engineering.  The MSc course is designed in such a way that it should provide for entry into existing training schemes for medical physicists, both in Ireland and further afield. The course has been accredited by CAMPEP, the North American Commission for the Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programmes (www.campep.org). This allows graduates from the course entry into US clinical residency programmes as mandated by the American Board of Radiology, a requirement for entry in the profession in the USA.

Other job opportunities exist in the Medical Device and Health Care industry, Research and Development, and Health and Safety and Teaching. Suitable candidates can enroll for PhD studies where training in research methods is provided.