医学物理学是物理学的一个应用分支，致力于将概念和方法从物理学应用于人类疾病的诊断和治疗。医学物理学家是关注三个主要活动领域的科学家：临床服务和咨询，研究与开发以及教学。临床上，要求医学物理学家提供科学建议和资源，以解决放射医学物理中出现的物理问题。医学物理学研究通常涉及发现和开发新仪器和技术，使用现有技术的新医学诊断和治疗程序以及测试。从历史上看，这种类型的活动主要集中在放射成像和放射肿瘤学领域，但如今在整个医学领域的参与范围越来越广。
The DMP Medical Physics Program offers only the discipline of diagnostic medical physics. The track requires a minimum of 50 credit hours of didactic classroom and laboratory instruction, 6 credit hours of independent study, and 36 credit hours of clinical training (clinic rotations). Years 1 and 2 will emphasize the didactic classroom and laboratory instruction. Clinical training will total a minimum of 24 months. Limited introductory clinical training called Practicum (approximately 3 full-time equivalent months) will occur in Year 2, the intent is to introduce each student to the clinical environment with a standard set of minimal experiences and requirements to complete and submit for grading. The student will receive 6 credit hours for the successful completion of the Practicum.<br><br>Additionally, students must pass an oral qualifying exam by the end of their fifth term in the program.<br><br>Students in the DMP program who complete all of the necessary degree requirements for the MSMP. degree, including passing the oral qualifying exam, are awarded the MSMP (in passing). Thus, DMP students entering year 3 are regarded as having completed a graduate degree in medical physics and can correctly be referred to as medical physics residents.<br><br>Beginning with the Summer Semester of Year 2 and with intended completion in the Summer of Year 3, the student will choose a doctoral independent study topic (6 credit hours), a mentor, and a Research Project Committee from the Medical Physics Faculty. The independent research topic subject matter and the mentor must be approved by the Program Director. The independent study will include a literature survey, experimental design of materials, equipment, and methodology, experimental measurements, and/or theoretical calculations (as required). The chosen research proposal will be presented formally to the Research Project Committee. Data collection, final data analysis, results and conclusions will complete the research experience. The study will be the equivalent of four to five months full-time effort. A final report in manuscript format consistent with medical physics literature manuscript submission is required. Additionally, the student is encouraged to submit the research subject matter in an abstract form appropriate for presentation at a national scientific meeting or a peer-reviewed medical physics journal. An oral presentation of the subject material before the Research Project Committee and including medical physics faculty, staff, and students will conclude the independent study. Final independent research grade evaluation will be the responsibility of the mentor.