From biomedical engineering to bio-physics to medical physicist

[JordanBolds]

Hi everyone!


I am also very new to this PhysicsForm site, hopefully I am not interrupting any conversation with this question. I have been thinking about switching from biomedical engineering to bio-physics as an undergrad degree with aspirations of eventually becoming a medical physicist. I do not intend on doing any medical school, but definitely grad school in whatever degree would get me into the following disciplines: robotic surgery, prosthetics, and any other medical machinery design. I am sure there are other various mandatory certifications I would need. Does this pathway seem ideal for the future goals I have?

 

[Choppy]

I am also very new to this PhysicsForm site, hopefully I am not interrupting any conversation with this question. I have been thinking about switching from biomedical engineering to bio-physics as an undergrad degree with aspirations of eventually becoming a medical physicist. I do not intend on doing any medical school, but definitely grad school in whatever degree would get me into the following disciplines: robotic surgery, prosthetics, and any other medical machinery design. I am sure there are other various mandatory certifications I would need. Does this pathway seem ideal for the future goals I have?

The details of an undergraduate program can vary from school to school, so the first thing I would suggest is talking to an undergraduate advisor about this.

That said, if I were to very broadly describe these disciplines:

• Medical Physics: the physics of radiation oncology and/or medical imaging (CT, MRI, nuclear medicine) and radiation protection.
• Biophysics: the physics of biochemistry (protein and complex molecule structure and interactions, pharmacokinetics, etc.), bioenergetics, biophysical processes, bioinformatics, etc.
• Biomedical engineering: the engineering of equipment/machinery for medical purposes or human interface.

That's not to say there isn't overlap, but if you're interested in robotic surgery, prosthetics, and the design of medical machinery, it would seem that biomedical engineering is the path for you.