UofC Experience
The Radiation Oncology Physics Program offers a two-year clinical CAMPEP accredited residency in Radiation Oncology Physics called the Post-Ph.D. Diploma in Radiation Oncology Physics. The program is designed for physicists, educated to the Ph.D. level in medical physics, who are intending to pursue a career which includes leadership positions in academic radiation treatment centres. The Diploma has two basic components; a practica requirement, and a course requirement.
MDPH 711 - Clinical Competency 1
This course extends over the first year of the diploma program and consists of rotations through areas of clinical physics under the supervision of adjunct faculty. Objectives are established at the commencement of the clinical rotations comprising this course. Student performance is evaluated by the course mentors and by oral examinations.
MDPH 712 - Clinical Competency 2
This course extends over the second year of the diploma program and consists of rotations through more complex areas of clinical physics under the supervision of adjunct faculty. Objectives are established at the commencement of the clinical rotations comprising this course. Student performance is evaluated by the course mentors and by oral examinations.
(Prerequisite: MDPH 711)
MDPH 721 - Clinical Projects 1
Multiple clinical projects are completed during this course extending over the first year of the program. Projects, which generally have immediate clinical relevance, have clearly defined objectives established by mutual agreement between the student, project supervisor and program director. The projects culminate in written reports and oral presentations. Student performance is evaluated against the objectives established at the commencement of each project.
MDPH 722 - Clinical Projects 2
Multiple clinical projects are completed during this course extending over the second of the program. Projects, which generally have immediate clinical relevance, have clearly defined objectives established by mutual agreement between the student, project supervisor and program director. The projects culminate in written reports and oral presentations. Student performance is evaluated against the objectives established at the commencement of each project.
(Prerequisite: MDPH 721)
MDPH 731 - Radiation Oncology Physics Tutorials
This course requires the student to prepare written answers to pre-set questions published by the Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine as part of the certification process in Radiation Oncology Physics. The course is conducted in a tutorial setting and the students are evaluated on the basis of their answers to a subset of the questions.
This course has two components, didactic and practical, and is offered in the first or second year of the program to ensure that the student’s increasing knowledge can be consolidated into a thorough understanding of radiation oncology physics. The didactic component is an in-depth study of the physics behind the treatment planning of the main tumour sites. The practical component allows the resident to train under the direct supervision of physicists and dosimetrists. The students’ progress is evaluated throughout the course with regular feedback to the student.
Practica in Radiation Therapy Planning and Diagnostic Imaging
The objective of the two radiotherapy planning practica is to develop hands-on skills and expertise in 3D conformal radiation therapy, brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, image guided radiation therapy and stereotactic radiotherapy for various tumor sites. Similarly, another two practica are dedicated to developing an in-depth understanding of quality control equipment and procedures in diagnostic radiological imaging, mammography, PET/SPECT, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging. The resident works closely with a senior dosimetrist and Imaging Physicist to perform routine procedures during the summer months.