1. Academic training

The Department of Medical Physics is extremely well equipped for the training of medical physicists. The staff of the department includes experts in all fields of medical physics and the research output of the department testifies to the quality of work that enjoys national as well as international recognition. The department offers undergraduate courses for medical students, nurses, dieticians and occupational therapists, as well as post-graduate courses for physicians who wish to specialise.

The department also offers training to qualify as a medical physicist. The following courses are available: BMedSc (Radiation Science), BMedSc Hons (Medical Physics), MMedSc (Medical Physics) and PhD (Medical Physics). A postgraduate diploma in Medical Physics providing the necessary training for registration of medical physicists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is also offered.

2. Interdepartmental training

Because of their knowledge of physics and their relevant background knowledge of the basic principles governing the functioning of medical equipment used in the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, medical physicists of the Department of Medical Physics are also involved in the training of radiologists, radiotherapists and radiographers at these particular departments.

3. Relevance of Medical Physics Courses 

BMedSc (Radiation Science)

Persons with this qualification will be competent in basic radiation science, with the necessary knowledge, skills, behaviour and attitudes, to work under the supervision of a medical physicist or their equivalent. Persons can also enter into the BMedSc (Hons) learning programme in medical physics to obtain a professional qualification as a medical physicist competent to render effective health care and services to other health care professionals.

There is a need in the public as well as the private sector, for the services of trained medical physicists. After completion of the BMedSc (Radiation Science) programme the student needs to continue with the BMedSc Hons (Medical Physics) programme to qualify as medical physicist.

BMedSc Hons (Medical Physics)

The BMedSc Hons degree in Medical Physics with two years of additional intern training qualifies the student for registration as Medical Physicist by the Medical and Dental Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The Department of Medical Physics is recognised as a training institution by the HPCSA.

A person trained as a medical physicist is sought after by larger hospitals, the Department of Health, the Atomic Energy Corporation, ESKOM, the Foundation for Research Development and private firms. Medical physicists can also be in private practice.

The multi-disciplinary implementation of physics in medicine by the Department of Medical Physics prepares students for a career in the field of applied sciences.

Postgr Dip (Medical Physics)

The requirements for entering this postgraduate diploma is a BMedSc (Hons) degree in Medical Physics or an equivalent qualification. After obtaining this two year Postgr Dip (Medical Physics) qualification, candidates will be able to register as Professional Medical Physicists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

This qualification addresses the need for suitably trained medical physicists in the public as well as the private sector. This training is required for registration of medical physicists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The qualification will prepare students for further studies in medical physics.

Enquiries

Medical Physics

Training requirements

The department of Medical Physics (UFS) offers training to qualify as a medical physicist. BSc with Physics as major is a prerequisite as a graduate degree for a career in Medical Physics. The BMedSc (Radiation Science) is a graduate course designed for people interested in becoming medical physicists.

The BMedSc Hons degree in Medical Physics should then be followed with two years of additional in-service training for registration as Medical Physicist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The Department of Medical Physics at the University of the Free State, is recognised as a training institution by the HPCSA.

A postgraduate diploma in Medical Physics providing the necessary training for registration of medical physicists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa is also offered at the department. MMedSc (Medical Physics) and PhD (Medical Physics) can be followed as post-graduate courses.

A person trained as a medical physicist is sought after by larger hospitals, the Department of Health, the Atomic Energy Corporation, the Foundation for Research Development and private firms. Medical physicists can also be in private practice.

The multi-disciplinary implementation of physics in medicine by the Department of Medical Physics at UFS prepares students for a career in the field of applied sciences. Past students of the department are employed as meteorologists and computer experts.

Because of their knowledge of physics and their relevant background knowledge of the basic principles governing the functioning of the various pieces of equipment at the Departments of Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, medical physicists of the Department of Medical Physics are also involved in the training of radiologists, radiotherapists and radiographers at these particular departments.
 

Please contact the Registrar of the University to obtain application forms for studies at the following address:

University of the Free State
Student Administration
George du Toit Building
P O Box 339
Bloemfontein
9300

T: +27 51 401 9111