Medical physics education at the undergraduate level

A great deal of education in Medical Physics is targeted at the graduate student. This represents a well tested, widely respected model. There are numerous stimulating and fruitful variations on the theme, but the basic model appears relatively uncontroversial. In some jurisdictions at least, an undergraduate degree in Medical Physics or similar, is viewed with caution. It is felt that such a degree necessitates an unsatisfactory compromise between foundational, core material in physical science and discipline specific 'icing on the cake' Medical Physics courses. An analysis of the McMaster Honours Medical & Health Physics programme will be presented under the following general headings: foundation in science; core material in mathematics and physics; interdisciplinary background in life sciences; discipline specific Medical Physics courses. The impact of this model on recruitment, retention and graduate destinations will be discussed. A comparison will be made with another programme being developed in a different jurisdiction.