Courses
MEDP 561: Topographical Anatomy and Physiology
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Elisabeth Weiss, M.D.
Description: This course covers anatomy and physiology as required for the clinical practice of medical physics.
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MEDP 563: Radiological Physics and Radiation Dosimetry
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Jeffrey V. Siebers, Ph.D.
Description: This course covers the fundamental conceptual, mathematical, and physical aspects of radiation
interactions with matter and energy deposition, including a thorough understanding of basic quantities and units.
Application to the principles and methods of radiation detection and dosimetry will be emphasized. Prerequisites:
Equivalent of PHYS 376 and PHYS 380 or instructor permission.
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MEDP 567: Introduction to Radiation Therapy Physics
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Geoffrey Hugo, Ph.D.
Description: This course covers the fundamental conceptual and technical aspects of the use of ionizing
radiation to evoke a therapeutic response/benefit to patients. Treatment planning and dose calculations for
external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy are emphasized.
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MEDP 601: Health Physics
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Jeffrey Siebers, Ph.D.
Description: Theoretical foundation and practical application of health physics as applied to diagnostic
radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Regulatory and scientific aspects of the subject are covered.
Mathematical models and physical principles of radioactive decay and radiation interactions are used to assess the
relative values of different radiation safety practices.
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MEDP 630: Radiobiology for the Medical Physicist
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Ross Mikkelsen, Ph.D.
Description: This course will cover fundamental aspects of radiobiology with specific emphasis on: relative
biological effectiveness and linear energy transfer; the oxygen effect; radiation carcinogenesis; DNA repair;
hereditary effects of radiation; radiation-induced cell killing; cellular responses to radiation, including cell
cycle effects and activation of cell signal transduction pathways; early and late effects of radiation; and time,
dose and fractionation in radiotherapy.
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MEDP 633: Advanced Radiation Therapy Physics
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Jeffrey F. Williamson, Ph.D.
Description: This course presents a survey of modern developments and methodological tools used in the
following areas of radiation oncology physics: experimental dosimetry, computational dosimetry; quality assurance
and commissioning, and advanced treatment planning and delivery modalities. By means of hands-on projects and
literature reviews, students will become acquainted with the medical physics literature and acquire practical
skills in selected areas. The course consists of a coordinated set of didactic lectures and laboratory projects.
Prequisites: MEDP 563 and MEDP 567 or instructor's permission.
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MEDP 635: Physics of CT and Nuclear Medicine
VCU Course Description
Course Masters: Jian-Qiao Luo, Ph.D. and Kenneth Kraft, Ph.D.
Description: This course will cover the physics of computed tomography and nuclear medicine imaging (including PET).
Emphasis will be placed on the physical foundations of currently used diagnostic techniques and their relevance in the
clinical setting. The classroom lectures will be enhanced through a series of integrated laboratory exercises.
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MEDP 636: Physics of MRI
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Kenneth Kraft, Ph.D.
Description: This course covers the physics of magnetic resonance imaging. Emphasis will be placed on the
physical foundations of currently used diagnostic techniques and their relevance to the clinical setting. The
classroom lectures will be enhanced through a series of integrated laboratory exercises.
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MEDP 682: Clinical Rotations in Medical Physics
VCU Course Description
Therapy Course Master: Nesrin Dogan, Ph.D.
Imaging Course Master: Various
Description: The clinical rotation course exposes the student to the clinical application of medical physics
by providing them with hands-on training experience using clinical medical physics equipment under the direct supervision
of faculty members in the field. Rotations include external beam treatment planning, brachytherapy, calibration
commissioning and quality assurance of radiation therapy linear accelerators, CT and X-ray imaging, MRI Imaging, and Nuclear
Medicine Imaging.
The therapy section is typically taken in a fall semester / spring semester sequence.
Different sections of the course may be taken multiple times for credit.
Variable credit hours, typically 3
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MEDP 689: Medical Physics Literature Review (Journal Club)
VCU Course Description
Course Master: Martin J. Murphy, Ph.D.
Description: Articles from recent published literature are assigned to participants for review on a weekly basis,
selecting from journals such as Physics in Medicine and Biology; International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology,
and Physics; Medical Physics; and Radiotherapy and Oncology. Participants share their individual article reviews in a
round table discussion.
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