Program overview
This eight-month post-doctoral program is designed to provide the didactic background and clinical training necessary for PhD physicists to be eligible for admission to a residency in clinical radiation oncology physics. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, or CAMPEP. Admission to the program does not imply admission to the residency program.
Students will acquire a broad background in medical physics, including, radiation physics, radiobiology, radiation safety, medical imaging and the modern practice of radiation oncology, through intensive coursework and hands-on experience. Our courses are taught by qualified, practising clinical physicists.
Completing this program
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Courses: Topics include radiological physics, radiation oncology physics, anatomy and statistics, radiobiology and more.
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Rounds: Students will participate in clinical observation of radiotherapy for cancer.
Outcomes
Medical physicist, radiation oncology physicist, clinical physicist, university instructor, industry physicist.
A course-based certificate in radiation oncology physics is usually considered a final degree.
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GPA
A minimum of 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A PhD in Physics or equivalent.
Work samples
None
Documents
None
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
Foreign applicants may need to provide a satisfactory score on the Advanced Physics Graduate Record Examination.
English language proficiency (ELP)
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT including TOEFL iBT Home Edition) minimum score of 86 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 (with no section less than 6.0).
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 180.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 59 or higher
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) overall score of 70 (no section less than 60).
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) minimum of B+ in each course.
- Duolingo English Test obtaining a minimum score of 125 (with no sub-score below 105).
*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Jan. 15 application deadline
- International students: Jan. 15 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
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Highlights of the Radiation Oncology Physics program
Gain experience in a clinical environment
Students work as project assistants at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, finding real-world solutions to clinical problems in radiotherapy
Permanent Breast Seed Implant (PBSI)
Students will work in one of the only centres in the world performing this innovative treatment technique for breast cancer
Using state of the art technology
Students are fully trained to operate major radiation oncology equipment and become involved in procedure development and maintenance