School of Health Sciences - Health Physics Graduate Program
Health Physics DefinedHealth physics is a profession devoted to the protection of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation, thus providing for the utilization of radiation for the benefit of mankind. The profession, as we know it, began during World War II when the tremendous power available from nuclear energy was first being developed for weapons. The radiation hazards encountered during the early years of atomic energy were solved by the cooperation of physicists, chemists, biologists, engineers, and physicians. From this endeavor emerged the interdisciplinary specialty known as "health physics." Today, the use of radiation in medicine, industry, and research benefits all of us. To assure that radiation and radioactive materials are used safely, nuclear facilities and research laboratories demand personnel who understand the many types of radiation hazards and who know how to prevent and control them. Training and Education
Specialized education and training is a prerequisite for becoming a professional health physicist. In order to pursue a career in health physics, you must have a basic education in physical science plus training in specific areas. To qualify for professional status, a health physicist needs at least a BS degree in science, engineering , or health science with specialized courses in physics, mathematics, chemistry, nuclear engineering, radiation biology, radiological health, and occupational health. A graduate degree in health physics is required for many professional level positions, particularly for those involving health physics research or teaching. The Purdue Health Physics Graduate ProgramThe graduate program in health physics at Purdue is administered by the School of Health Sciences. Both the MS and Ph.D. programs must meet the general requirements of the Purdue University Graduate School (see Graduate School Bulletin). A typical M.S. plan of study includes 30 to 35 semester hours of credit plus an acceptable thesis or research project report. A typical Ph.D. plan of study includes approximately 48 semester hours of credit plus and acceptable original, scholarly thesis. The graduate courses typically used for a study plan in health physics are given in Table 1. Participating faculty are highly qualified in the primary and support areas of health physics, radiation biology, medical physics, industrial hygiene, nuclear engineering, and bionucleonics. A list of participating faculty members is shown in Table 2. Requirements for Admission to the ProgramStudents who enter the program must have at least a BS degree in one of the physical or biological science, or engineering. Applicants must meet the general requirements for admission to the Purdue University Graduate School (see Graduate School Bulletin). In addition, because the number of applicants generally far exceeds the number who can be admitted, successful applicants will be those who have a strong academic record, outstanding GRE scores, and excellent recommendations. Although there is no firm deadline for applying, consideration of an application (particularly if financial support is needed) cannot be assure after February 1 each year. Financial SupportA limited number of teaching assistantships are available each year to support graduate students. Typical half-time teaching assistants receive an annual stipend of $12,000 plus waiver of tuition and most fees. Purdue is a participating university in the Department of Energy (DOE) Applied Health Physics Fellowship Program. Qualified fellows who are selected through national competition receive an annual fellowship of $14,400 and payment of all tuition and fees by the DOE. The Institute for Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) funds one fellowship in health physics at Purdue each year. This fellowship provides an annual stipend of $12,000 and remission of tuition and most fees.
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