The following constitutes introductory information regarding the graduate degree program. For a complete outline of degree requirements, see Program Requirements for UCLA Graduate Degrees available in the program office and accessible from the Graduate Division homepage at http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu.
In addition to the University's minimum requirements, applicants to the Master of Science in Biomedical Physics are required to hold a bachelor's degree with a major in a science. Also, it is expected that applicants will have completed (1) one year of college physics (calculus-based); (2) two years of college mathematics through differential equations, including calculus equivalent to Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; (3) one year of college chemistry; and (4) at least one course in computer science. Deficiencies in the above courses must be removed prior to advancement to candidacy.
In addition, applicants to the specialty fields of biophysics, medical imaging, and therapeutic medical physics must have a strong foundation in basic physics or a degree in engineering, mathematics, or other sciences with physics training equivalent to a minor in physics (upper level courses in electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, atomic structure, statistical mechanics, and mechanics). Applicants may be accepted with some deficiencies in entrance requirements which must be removed prior to advancement to candidacy.
Scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, taken in the last three years, should be sent to the department. Three letters of recommendation are required. If applicants already have a master's degree, one of the letters should be from their thesis adviser.
A brochure describing the program in biomedical physics may be obtained from the department.
Therapeutic medical physics; medical imaging; biophysics; and radiation biology and experimental radiation therapy.
The courses required for the M.S. degree are nine common core courses (Biomedical Physics 200A, 204, 205, 216, 217, 218, 260A, 260B, 260C) and the following nine courses, along with any special direction by the graduate adviser: Biomedical Physics 200B, 202A-202B-202C, 203, 208A, 208B, 209, 221.
For students with a medical physics background or a career objective other than a practicing medical physicist, a more sharply focused curriculum may be advised.
Biomedical Physics 596 and 598 may be applied toward the degree. Eight units of 500-series courses may be applied toward the total course requirements, four units toward the minimum graduate course requirement.
Students may pass a comprehensive examination (Plan II) that consists of the materials from the common core courses. The examination is offered at least once a year, and students have two chances to pass the examination.
Students who plan to continue on the Ph.D. study track may request approval from their faculty adviser for the Ph.D. written specialty examination to be used to satisfy the requirement for the M.S. comprehensive examination (Plan II). Students could then receive the M.S. in addition to the Ph.D.
Students satisfy the requirement by writing a thesis (Plan I) based on a research project. After students complete the course requirements, they must choose a faculty member to guide their research and chair the thesis committee.
Admission to the doctoral program requires a bachelor's degree with a major in a science and (1) selecting a specialty, (2) passing either all of the core courses with grades of B or better or the M.S. comprehensive examination, and (3) passing a written specialty qualifying examination which may be repeated once. Biomedical Physics 221 is required of all students. Completion of a master's program is not required.
Therapeutic medical physics; medical imaging; biophysics; and radiation biology and experimental radiation therapy.
After selecting a specialty, students acquire sufficient knowledge by taking courses recommended for the specialty; these include the common core courses. These courses form a basis for the Ph.D. written specialty examination. Students must pass all core courses with grades of B (a B - or lower is not acceptable) or better or pass the entire M.S. comprehensive examination.
Transfer students can either take the core courses or pass an M.S. comprehensive examination.
The following specialties are offered:
Biophysics. Minimum course requirements of 60 hours. The biophysics specialty includes the core courses within the department, graduate courses from physics, engineering, chemistry/biochemistry, biological chemistry, pharmacology, and biomathetics, and by research study and seminar courses.
Medical Imaging. Minimum course requirement of 60 hours. The courses for the medical imaging specialty include the nine Biomedical Physics program common core courses (Biomedical Physics 200A, 204, 205, 216, 217, 218, 260A, 260B, and 260C), as well as the medical imaging specialty core courses (Biomedical Physics 206, 209, 210, 219). A minimum of four elective courses are required from the following two lists: (a) two to four Biomedical Physics program elective courses (Biomedical Physics 208A, 211, 214, 215, 222, M230); and (b) zero to two electives from the following courses outside of the program:
Computer Science (School of Engineering and Applied Science) 112, 118, 141, 161, 171, 171L, 174, 212A, 212B, 214, 215, 241A, 241B, 267A, 268, 270A, 276A, 276B.
Electrical Engineering (School of Engineering and Applied Science) 113 and 113L, 115A, 115B, 115C, 212A, 213A, 215A, 230D.
Mathematics (College of Letters and Science) 142, 149, 270A, 270F.
Appropriate elective courses are selected by the student and the adviser. Students wishing to pursue a hospital-based career should prepare to be board certified after graduation by taking additional clinical courses: Biomedical Physics 200A, 200B, 202A-202B-202C, 203, 208A, 208B.
Therapeutic Medical Physics. Students must demonstrate competence in the subject matter covered in the core courses. In addition, students are required to take the three clinical rotations (Biomedical Physics 202A-202B-202C), 201, 203, 210, M230, and some advanced mathematics courses. Additional coursework is recommended by faculty in accordance with students' specific needs.
Radiation Biology and Experimental Radiation Therapy. Students must demonstrate competence in the subject matter covered in the core courses. Because of the breadth of radiation biology and experimental radiation oncology, it is not feasible to design a single curriculum for all students. Instead, additional coursework is recommended by faculty in accordance with specific needs.
Each specialty structures its own examination. Each examination is written and graded by more than two faculty members.
Each specialty can request its own students to pass a major topic(s) from other specialties. Students must demonstrate competence in the common core courses and pass the Ph.D. written specialty examination before they can proceed to the Ph.D. This demonstration of competence must be reviewed and approved by faculty-at-large. Students are permitted two opportunities to pass the Ph.D. written specialty examination which is given at least once a year.
Biophysics. A written specialty examination is given on areas covered by courses students have taken, with emphasis on questions based on course topics but directed at determining the personal ability of students for scholarship rather than factual knowledge per se.
Medical Imaging. A written specialty examination is directed at determining the personal ability of students for scholarship rather than factual knowledge per se. While the material covered may be related to courses taken, it need not be limited to material covered in these courses. The questions are based on both knowledge of these topics and the ability to think creatively in medical imaging.
Therapeutic Medical Physics. Students must demonstrate knowledge both of the material presented in the coursework and of current research in the field by passing a written specialty examination.
Radiation Biology and Experimental Radiation Therapy. Students must demonstrate knowledge both of the material presented in the basic radiation biology course and of current research in the field by passing a written specialty examination.
Oral Qualifying Examination. The written specialty examination for admission to the Ph.D. program should be taken by the end of the sixth quarter in residence. Once this examination is passed and students have chosen a research area for the dissertation, they should, within a reasonable time frame agreed on with the dissertation adviser, form a doctoral committee and schedule the University Oral Qualifying Examination. This examination is based on a proposed dissertation topic. Passing the examination is a requirement for continuance in the doctoral program. The format of this oral qualifying examination is consistent with University requirements. A final oral dissertation defense is required.