Medical Physics

The MSc (Physics) by coursework and research report in the field of Medical Physics is taught by the Division of Medical Physics.

Overview

Medical Physics is an exciting field that combines physics and medicine. This degree is taught by the Division of Medical Physics in the School of Clinical Medicine at the Wits Faculty of Health Sciences, but is coordinated by the School of Physics in the Faculty of Science, meaning the rules for the degree, the rules concerning examinations, examiners, awarding of the degree, submission of the research report etc, fall under the School of Physics.

Three categories of students are targeted for this course:

  1. Students wishing to pursue a career in Medical Physics or Metrology in the long term, who have a background in pure or applied Physics. To be registered as professional clinical medical physicists, candidates still need to complete an internship in order to fulfill the HPCSA experiential requirements for registration.
  2. HPCSA-registered Medical Physicists who seek to supplement their knowledge and research ability.
  3. Supernumerary fellowship students who require specific training in Medical Physics [minimum 2 years full-time].

An MSc by Research is also offered by the Division of Medical Physics to students who have completed the appropriate medical physics coursework.  

Curriculum

The following courses are offered over one year in a 2-year cycle commencing February each year:

  1. PHYS7057 Medical Physics of Radiation Oncology
  2. PHYS7056 Medical Physics of Imaging [Radiology and Nuclear Medicine]
  3. PHYS7061 Radiation Protection and Control
  4. PHYS7062 Radiobiology for Medical Physicists
  5. PHYS7058 Radiation Physics for Medical Physicists
  6. PHYs7060 Clinical Dosimetry in Radiotherapy
  7. PHYS7052 Advanced Brachytherapy
  8. PHYS7054 Dosimetry
  9. PHYS7053 Advanced Dosimetry
  10. PHYS7063 Accuracy in Radiotherapy Medical Physics
  11. PHYS7059 Advanced Radiation Oncology
  12. PHYS7055 Dosimetry Standards, Uncertainties and Traceability.

The second year is dedicated to a research report in Dosimetry, Radiotherapy Medical Physics or Radiation Metrology. Depending on the academic record, a student may be required to read a course in basic Anatomy and Physiology.

A course in Professional Ethics or Research Methodologies or Advanced Research Ethics could also be arranged should there be sufficient interest.

Entry Requirements

  • A Bachelor of Science with Honours in Physics/Medical Physics from Wits or another university.
  • A graduate of this or another university who holds a degree in another faculty whose curriculum has ordinarily extended over not less than four academic years of full-time study.

For admission to a Masters degree the applicant should normally have at least 65% in their honours degree.

Students may be required to undergo oral assessment before acceptance into the programme.

The programme has a limited capacity for admission, and acceptance into it will be contingent upon both academic performance and the results of an oral assessment.

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.