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Medical Physics FAQ


1. Approximately, what is the cost of the Columbia program?


The cost per point for the 2009–2010 academic year is $1,310; thus, the cost of tuition for a 36-point program for 2009–2010 is $47,160. Room and board expenses are difficult to estimate; for reference we note that on-campus, single student housing cost/month ranges from $700 to $1300. In addition, one must plan for the cost of board, textbooks, fees, travel, and (hopefully) recreation. For more information, please see Student Financial Services.
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2. Is financial aid available?


As a rule, assistantships, grants, scholarships, and fellowships are not available to students in master's degree programs, including the medical physics program. If you are a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident you may be eligible to receive Federal Student Loans. In order to determine your eligibility, you must file a Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). You may complete the application online by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov; for a paper copy, contact the Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing. International students can apply for private student loans with a cosigner who is a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

For further information regarding loan and payment options, please contact the Office of Financial Aid and Educational Financing by telephone at 212-854-3711, by email at , or by mail at Columbia University Office of Financial Aid, 407 Lerner Hall, MC 2802, New York, NY 10027.

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3. Does this program prepare me for the board exam?


The recommendations for M.S. programs in medical physics published by the AAPM were used as the starting point for the curriculum of this program. According to the 1992 study guide for the certification exam of the American Board of Medical Physics, the Columbia program covers all but two subject areas. The two areas not addressed explicitly are statistics and computer programming, therefore a working knowledge of computer programming and basic probability and statistics is required for admission. Although some statistics are covered in the laboratory courses, students wishing to further study statistics may take STAT E4150 as an elective.

Students matriculated in a CAMPEP-accredited graduate medical physics program are eligible to take Part 1 of ABR exam; graduation with the MS is not required before taking the exam. Alternatively, Part 1 of the ABR exam may be taken after graduation; Part 2 requires up to 3 years clinical experience following graduation (see ABR exam requirements for details). back to top

4. If I already have a Ph.D., is the Columbia School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) Medical Physics Program appropriate?


Ph.D. level physicists are eligible for the SEAS program. However, the curriculum is designed for students with little or no prior knowledge in radiation physics. Consequently, this program may not be optimal for traditional physicists. Since a minimum of 30 points is required for a Columbia master's degree, this minimum must be earned by taking an appropriate set of courses in physics and medicine. An experimental physicist may find selecting such courses difficult. Additionally, much of the physics that arises in medical physics is not emphasized in traditional curricula and research; indeed, a large portion of medical physics is classical. Thus, it almost always is necessary to take the elementary radiation science courses in order to assure uniform and thorough coverage of these topics. Since experienced physicists will not find this material difficult, there is some risk of boredom. back to top

5. Is a Ph.D. in medical physics an option?


Yes and no. The master's curriculum is designed to provide skills and training appropriate for health care providers in clinical settings. Consequently, there is no automatic program track leading to a Ph.D. program. However, three important benefits are gained by completing the master's degree program. First, the prospective researcher acquires a valuable understanding of the context of his or her research. Second, the prospective student can meet and possibly work with one of several scientists who are actively conducting medical physics research; supervised research tutorials with faculty members are one way of doing this. Third, completing the M.S. program affords one the option of working (full or part-time) in the field while continuing on towards the Ph.D.

For more information, please see the Applied Physics Ph.D. Program/Concentration in Medical Physics. back to top

6. As I already have a master's degree in physics (chemistry, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, bioengineering, or nuclear engineering), how much credit might this be worth and is transfer credit possible?


Applicants with an M.S. degree in a related field may be eligible for advanced standing. This is especially true for nuclear engineers, applied physicists, and, to a lesser extent, electrical and bioengineers. However, advanced standing will not reduce the School's 30-point requirement for the M.S: a point deficiency resulting from advanced standing must be filled by alternate approved coursework. back to top

7. Do I have to retake the Graduate Record Exam if I already have an M.S. or a Ph.D.?


GRE scores are generally required. However, if you took the GRE test for admission to a program from which you obtained your advanced degree, those scores may suffice. Individuals with a Ph.D. from an accredited academic institution may not have to take the GRE's, depending on the school, subject of study, and work experience of an applicant. back to top

8. Is there a language requirement?


Columbia University requires that students for whom English is not their native language establish proficiency with written and spoken English. In order to graduate with a M.S. degree, a score of 8 is required on Columbia's English placement examination. This requirement is stringently enforced for the medical physics program because of the critical importance of communication skills. For example, a poorly written but otherwise perfect laboratory report will be assigned a reduced grade. back to top

9. Is it possible to take the program on a part-time basis?


Yes. The program deliberately facilitates part-time study, especially for working students, by scheduling most classes in the evenings, although the practicums may require full-day commitment. However, because some required courses must be taken in sequence and are only offered once a year, part-time students may experience scheduling delays. Also, depending on enrollment, it is possible that some courses may be offered only every other year.

For more information, please see Part-Time Medical Physics Program back to top

10. Can one start the program in the spring?


In general, it is not possible to start the program in the spring semester because most spring courses have fall course prerequisites. While it might be possible for a student with sufficient advanced standing to begin the program in spring, this would be exceptional and is not encouraged. back to top

11. What background do I need for this program?


A bachelor's degree (B.S. or B.A.) in engineering or one of the physical sciences, including physics courses at least equivalent to a minor and mathematics through ODE, as well as a working knowledge of computer programming and basic probability and statistics, is required for admission.

A bachelor's degree in a non-scientific field plus one to two years of technical training can not be substituted for this requirement. 
For example, the first program course APPH E4010x: Introduction to Nuclear Science has the following prerequisite Columbia equivalents:

Physics C1403: Intro to Classical & Quantum Waves
Math V1202: Calculus IV
Math V1210: Ordinary Differential Equations

Equivalent courses from other universities may be accepted provided that the student has earned a grade of B or better. Please see the online Columbia University Directory of Classes for a complete description of the courses listed above which are offered at Columbia University.

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