Medical Physics Program in Ontario: Requirements & Options

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the requirements and options for entering medical physics programs in Ontario, focusing on educational background, suitable majors, and university choices. Participants explore the pathways to medical physics, including the relevance of different undergraduate programs and the implications of program accreditation.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the sufficiency of their high school courses for admission to medical physics programs in Ontario.
  • Another suggests that pursuing a general physics program may be the best route to becoming a medical physicist, noting that specialized programs might dilute core physics education.
  • A participant seeks clarification on potential majors to declare when applying to universities, listing options such as medical physics, physics, chemistry, and engineering.
  • One contributor recommends considering universities with a first-year "science" major that allows exploration of various subjects before specializing.
  • Another participant mentions that CAMPEP may be increasingly favoring physics majors for medical physics accreditation, indicating a potential shift in requirements.
  • A question arises regarding whether the CAMPEP requirements apply to the United States or Canada, as the original poster plans to study in Canada and possibly attend graduate school in the U.S.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best educational pathways to medical physics, with no consensus on the ideal major or program structure. Some suggest a general physics approach, while others highlight the importance of keeping options open through a general science major.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the future direction of CAMPEP's accreditation preferences and how they may affect program choices for prospective students.

Who May Find This Useful

High school graduates interested in pursuing medical physics, students exploring undergraduate programs in related fields, and individuals seeking information on university options in Ontario.

alisacbh
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Hi, I've just graduated form high school and I want to join a medical physics program.
For math, I've done trigonometry and geometry with intro to calculus. Before this course, I took algebra 1 and 2 including a separate course of geometry (this is an u.s. curriculum). I also took courses in accelerated and enriched physics, as well as honours chemistry, biology and ap biology. Would those courses be sufficient for universities in ontario?

I want to go to college in ontario, and was wondering what school were best for this program? I only found ryerson and university of toronto that had the specific program... are there any other universities?

Also, if a specific university did not have such program available, what should i major in?
Thank you for the help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Your best best bet if you want to get into medical physics is to go through a general physics program. Engineers (biomedical in particular) as also accepted. Sometimes specialized 'medical physics' undergraduate programs will water down the core physics, and at the end of the day, as a medical physicist, you first and foremost need to be a physicist.
 
what other majors can i take? for some of the universities I am applying to i need to state my 'to be major', and i just want to know all my options.
far as i know,:
medical physics
physics
chemistry
engineering (wte it might be)
 
From the point of view of someone entering university, I think it's best to try to keep as many doors open as possible. You may want to check out universities that have a first year "science" major - allowing you to take physics, math, chemistry, biology etc. - that then specialize once you get into your second or third year. I know that McMaster and Guelph used to have such systems for example, but that was a while ago.
 
hmm ya, I've heard of places that have a general science major.
alright, i'll look for places that have a general science major or program.
Thanks so much! you saved me just in time hahah. I was just about to fill out the forms for my transcript releases to certain universities. Good thing i decided to check in and see if there were anything else before i filled out the forms!
 
One catch though is that CAMPEP seems to be pushing for Physics majors only...just a thought. Chemistry and biomedical engineering work now, but in 4 years, it could be different.
 
is that for the United States or Canada? Because I plan on attending college in Canada and maybe United States for grad school..
 

Similar threads

Programs Physics degree to med school? please help
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Programs I am doing a BME PhD, and hope to transfer to medical physics
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Admissions Advice for a radiation therapist moving towards medical physics
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
4K
Admissions How to get a Medical Physics PhD?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Programs How Can I Transition from Physics to a Career in Medical Physics?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K
Programs Top Medical Physics Programs in Texas and Florida
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Programs Medical Physics Graduate Programs
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Programs I'm a medical physicist, how can I get into astronomy/astrophysics?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
Admissions Chances of Admission to CAMPEP Programs in Canada
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Other How can I fill course requirements for Physics Master's program?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K