The primary goal of the Medical Biophysics Honors Specialization modules is to develop and strengthen the student's ability to apply mathematical and physical principles in the study of biological phenomena. The focus of most of the modules relates to medical sciences. Example theme areas include: blood flow biomechanics in large blood vessels and in the microcirculation; medical imaging principles and applications in image guided surgery; survival in physical extremes; radiobiology, radiation therapy and tumor metastasis; orthopedic and artificial joint biomechanics. Students completing either an Honors Specialization in Medical Biophysics (Medical Science Concentration) or Medical Biophysics (Clinical Physics Concentration) will graduate with a BMSc (Honors) degree. Students completing an Honors Specialization in Medical Biophysics (Physical Science Concentration) will graduate with a BSc (Honors) degree.
A degree containing this module normally requires 4 years for completion. When combined with one of the following Majors, this module leads to a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (BMSc) degree: Biochemistry, Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) or Medical Sciences (see note below), Medical Cell Biology, Microbiology and Immunology, Pharmacology or Physiology. See Bachelor Of Medical Sciences (BMSc) Program for more information.
The modules in Medical Biophysics allow students to combine studies in a related discipline such as applied mathematics or medical science, or with an outside field such as economics or statistics. Students in the Honors Specialization modules complete a research project course in Year 4 and apply the skills they have learned in the context of planning and designing an actual research project.
The Honors Specialization Modules include: The third year Medical Biophysics 3980Z lab course where students do individual Six-Week research projects and the signature fourth year course Medical Biophysics 4970, a research laboratory course in which each student works on his or her own project that they have helped to plan. Medical Biophysics 4971 is similar but in a clinical research setting.
For students contemplating graduate training, the 4970 and 4971 courses provide a window into that career path, and for some students the work from the project has led to publications with the student as one of the publishing authors. Graduating students often go on to professional programs like Medical Physics, Dentistry, Medicine or Physical Therapy, to graduate research training toward the MSc or PhD degree, or to work as laboratory researchers in industry or university departments.
