Medical Physics

Master of Science (MSc), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Apply physics-based concepts and methodologies to make a meaningful difference in medical and health fields.

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Faculty/School

Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science



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Program Components Length
Master of Science (MSc)Coursework and thesis24 months
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Dissertation36-48 months

Why study the Program at UBC Okanagan?

The medical physics graduate program at UBC’s Okanagan campus is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs (CAMPEP). Based in Kelowna, BC, the campus offers tier-one research-based degrees to students in a collegial, close-knit setting.

Our dynamic faculty and students are engaged in a variety of research projects, many in close partnership with the BC Cancer Agency and relevant industry.

Our research-based MSc and PhD degrees in medical physics provide students with theoretical, practical and analytical expertise, as well as experience in the application of scientific results to real-world problems.

The MSc degree is centred on conducting research that addresses current health-care challenges centred primarily around cancer diagnosis and treatment. Graduates of the MSc program are prepared for positions in clinical service and consultation, research and development, teaching or for PhD research.

Program Milestones

  • establishing a faculty supervisory committee
  • preparing, presenting, and defending a thesis research proposal
  • completing thesis research, and writing and defending the work

Coursework & Thesis Requirements

  • 33 credits of coursework
  • additional coursework may be required, at the discretion of the supervisory committee
  • 12-credit MSc thesis (PHYS 549)

Most MSc students complete Teaching Assistantships throughout the duration of their studies.

Exceptional MSc students can transfer to the PhD program after one year if they meet program requirements and are approved by the Graduate Program Advisory Committee.

The PhD degree is centred on conducting original research. Graduates of the PhD program are prepared for careers requiring advanced independent research and teaching in academia, cancer centres, research hospitals, government and industry.

Program milestones

  • establishing a faculty supervisory committee
  • preparing, presenting, and defending a dissertation research proposal
  • passing an oral candidacy examination
  • completing dissertation research and writing, and defending the work

Most PhD students complete Teaching Assistantships throughout the duration of their studies.

At the PhD level, courses beyond the MSc are required only at the discretion of the student’s advisory committee.

Research and Supervisors

Supervisors

We invite you to discuss your research interests and career goals with participating faculty and potential supervisors in medical physics, and we are happy to share our excitement about what we study and teach.

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Cynthia Araujo | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | cynthia.araujo@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Safe and effective use of radiation for the treatment of cancer including external beam and brachytherapy technique development and verification; implementation of new technology in radiation therapy; use of imaging in treatment planning and treatment verification.
Deidre Batchelar | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | dbatchelar@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Advanced Imaging in Brachytherapy; high precision radiotherapy.
Nathan Becker | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics | nathan.becker@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: image-guided RT, adaptive RT, quality control, and automation
Thor Bjarnason | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | thor.bjarnason@interiorhealth.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Quality control; radiation safety; patient dose reduction; image quality assessment in planar x-ray and CT.
Marco Carlone | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | marco.carlone@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Simulation of linear accelerators; use of magnetic fields in radiotherapy; quality assurance in radiotherapy.
Rebecca Feldman | Assistant Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | rebecca.feldman@ubc.ca | 250.807.8691 | ASC 349

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Medical Imaging, MRI, Pulse Sequence Design, Image Processing, Translational Imaging
Christina Haston | Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | christina.haston@ubc.ca | 250.807.9886 | ASC 347

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Radiation oncology; radiation biophysics.
Michelle Hilts | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | mhilts@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Brachytherapy for breast cancer; 3D radiation dosimetry.
Cornelia Hoehr | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | choehr@triumf.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Medical isotopes; radiotherapy.
Derek Hyde | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | dhyde2@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Image-guided radiation therapy for high-precision treatments.
Marie-Pierre Milette | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | marie-pierre.milette@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Treatment planning optimization; treatment verification.
Rasika Rajapakshe | Adjunct Professor | Computer Science, Medical Physics | rasika.rajapakshe@ubc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Medical imaging; deep learning in medical imaging; web and mobile technologies in health care; health and medical imaging informatics; cancer risk modeling; decision support systems in oncology.
Tony Teke | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | tteke2@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Monte Carlo modeling; 4 Pi treatment planning optimization and verification; 4D dose calculation; SBRT/SRS; quality assurance tests for trajectory treatments.
Eric Wright | Adjunct Professor | Medical Physics, Physics | Eric.Wright@bccancer.bc.ca

Graduate student supervisor


Research Interests: Image-Guided RT; surface-guided RT; motion management in RT; quality control.

Labs and Centres

Learn more about research in the Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics and find descriptions of the the centres, institutes and labs that form the foundation of our research efforts.

Students and Alumni

Meet our students

See what our students are up to—find them in our Contact page for their research interests, supervisors, alma maters and info.

Connect with your peers

The Quantitative Sciences Course Union (QSCU) is a student union dedicated to connecting students with each other, the university and the community in order to enhance their research, learning and overall experience at UBC Okanagan.

Theses and Dissertations

Find all UBC Okanagan student publications on the University’s digital repository for research and teaching materials.
EXPLORE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS

Tuition and Funding

Tuition

Tuition amounts presented here are estimates only and all fees are subject to change. For official tuition and fee information, visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar, a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

Program Schedule Domestic (per year) International (per year)
MSc Full-time $5,407.56 $9,500.19
PhD Full-time $5,407.56 $9,500.19

Tuition is paid three times a year, on the first day of each term: Winter Term 1 (September), Winter Term 2 (January), and Summer Term (May).

Funding Opportunities

Graduate students are typically funded through a combination of internal and external funding awards, Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships.

Students are expected whenever possible to apply for relevant scholarships and fellowships, including Canadian Tri-Council scholarships and other University Awards.

If students wish to hold off-campus (external) employment, they should discuss with their supervisor, particularly if the student is a grant-holder, as restrictions on hours of work may apply.

Graduate Entrance Award

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science offers a $15,000 merit-based entrance scholarship to three exceptional individuals entering their first year of thesis-based graduate studies under a supervisor from the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, or an Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies program with a supervisor who is a member of the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science.

All applicants to Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science graduate programs who have submitted an application by January 31 will be automatically considered for the award. No additional application is required. Successful applicants will be notified by March 15.

Assistantships

The Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics has funding opportunities and assistantships available for qualified students.

Program Minimum funding Duration
MSc $24,000 per year 2 years
PhD $26,000 per year 4 years
Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Paid TA positions allow graduate students to develop skills in teaching, supervision, facilitation, and student assessment. Teaching assistants may lead seminars, help teach undergraduate courses, or assist in student evaluations and marking.

  • MSc students are eligible for paid TA positions for up to two years.
  • TA positions usually occur September to April. TA hours and wages are governed by the British Columbia Government Employees Union (BCGEU).

Teaching assistants are mentored by their supervisor and via the Centre for Teaching and Learning. To learn more or apply for a position, see our Careers page.

Research Assistantships (RA)

As paid research assistants, graduate students assist their supervisor or other researchers in conducting high-level research. RAs are typically funded by a supervisor’s external grants, contracts or other sources of funding, and, therefore, are not guaranteed.

Research Assistantships are wholly dependent upon individual research supervisor’s funding. RA positions may take place at any time during the school year and wages and hours will vary. RA positions are not guaranteed. Talk to your potential supervisor about RA opportunities.

Scholarships and awards

UBC Awards

The College of Graduate Studies administers merit-based graduate awards at the Okanagan campus. The College manages a number of award competitions each year and administers payment of all internal awards and selected external awards.

External Awards

All prospective graduate students (Domestic and International) should explore and apply for external awards and fellowships, including awards offered by Canada’s three research councils: CIHRNSERC and SSHRC.

Graduate scholarships and awards may also be available from foundations, private organizations or foreign governments (check with your country’s education authority).

 

Admission and Applying

Please note: A named supervisor is not part of the MSc application.

Admission Requirements

A complete application package will contain:

  • Online application and application fee
  • Unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended are required for the application package. However, if admitted, the student must submit official transcripts to the College of Graduate Studies
  • English language test (for non-native speakers of English)
  • CV or resumé
  • Three reference forms or letters

Master of Science (MSc) Applicants

Applicants to the medical physics MSc program are expected to have the academic equivalent of a four-year Honours BSc from UBC in physics or a related field, with a minimum average of B+ (76%) or better in their third- or fourth-year classes.

Doctoral (PhD) Applicants

PhD applicants are expected to:

  • hold the academic equivalent of a two-year master’s degree from UBC in medical physics or a related field, with a B+ (76%) average or better,
  • demonstrate clear evidence of research ability or potential

Your background training must be sufficient for advanced work in your chosen field. 

Exceptional Cases

In exceptional cases, applicants who do not meet the requirements stated above, but who have had significant formal training and relevant professional experience, may be granted admission on the recommendation of the Medical Physics Graduate Program Advisory Committee and approval of the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.


International applicants

English Language Requirements

Applicants from a university outside Canada at which English is not the primary language of instruction must present evidence of competency to pursue studies in the English language prior to being extended an offer of admission.

See acceptable English language proficiency tests.

Required Grades and Credentials Guide

Grades and degree credentials required by UBC vary by country. Search the Required Grades and Credential Guide—a guide to assist international students in estimating their eligibility.

International Advisors

An international student advisor can answer questions about immigration, medical insurance and the transition to UBC’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna, BC. Visit the International Programs and Services website to meet the team.


Visit the UBC Okanagan Academic Calendar for full admission and program requirements information. The calendar is a comprehensive guide to all programs, courses, services and academic policies at the University of British Columbia.

Note: In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct. 

How to Apply

Applying takes time. We recommend you start your application two months in advance.

For full consideration students should submit all application materials by the following deadlines:

Intake Application Deadline
September December 1
Visit the FAQs page for more information and to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Global and Close-Knit

At UBC Okanagan, you gain all the benefits of attending a globally ranked, top 5% university while studying in a close-knit learning community. 50% of graduates, from all across the globe, choose to stay in the region.

Discover the Okanagan

A diverse natural region with sandy beaches, beautiful farms, vineyards, orchards and snow-capped mountains, the Okanagan is an inspirational landscape perfect for those seeking leisure or outdoor adventure.

UBC's Okanagan campus borders the dynamic city of Kelowna, a hub of economic development with a population of more than 150,000 people— the fourth fastest-growing population in Canada.

Visit the FAQs page for more information and to contact the Graduate Program Coordinator.