Medical Physicist Studies

Theoretical education

A new education structure was proposed in 1995. The qualification as a medical physicists was considered as a post-graduate university education under the Ministry of Education.

• After a MSc degree in physics, medical physics, technical physics, biophysics or biomedical engineering, a responsible mentor will plan with the student the program for the studies to obtain the qualification as a medical physicist. According to the Finnish act 834/2000, the student has to pass at least an examination for a Licentiate in Philosophy (Ph.Lic.)

Practical training

• The practical training after BSc degree takes four years.
• The training is carried out in centers approved by the Education Committee of Medical Physicists. Different training centers can have full rights (full four years of training), or partial rights (one or two years).
• The mentor is responsible that the student has sufficient training in all the main areas of medical physics: radiotherapy and oncology, nuclear medicine, clinical physiology, diagnostic radiology, and clinical neurophysiology.

Radiation safety examination

The students have to pass an examination of radiation safety on the highest level “The general use of ionizing radiation” in a university approved by the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

Final examination comprising the application of medical physics in hospital environment

The aim of the examination is to test the ability of the students to apply the theoretical knowledge to clinical practice. The permission to take part in the exam has to be applied of the Education Committee for Medical Physicists.

Applying to the doctoral studies

In the Faculty of Science and Forestry, it is possible to complete medical physicist studies in the form of professional postgraduate education. The studies include completion of an academic postgraduate degree, which can be either a licentiate or a doctorate. To apply for the studies, please use the form Application for Doctoral Studies on the UEF Doctoral School website.

Medical physicist examination

Students may take the medical physicist examination after completing three years of practical training. Students must apply for the right to take the examination from the Education Committee of Medical Physicists (Professor Petro Julkunen, chair, University of Eastern Finland) at least six weeks before the date of the examination. The application must show the completed practical training up to that date (accompanied by a staff register and instructor´s statement of the contents of the practical training) as well as the date on which and place where the radiation safety examination was taken.

Candidates must register for the examination by email at least one month before the date of the exam at:

• kuulustelu@uef.fi and
• also send a copy to the secretary of the Education Committee for Medical Physicists: neuvottelukunta_sihteeri@sairaalafyysikot.fi.