PhD in Medical Physics

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) has a rich history of academic excellence and a strong commitment to community engagement. VCU offers a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines, including arts, sciences, humanities, health, and technology. With a diverse student body and a dedicated faculty known for their expertise and innovation, VCU provides a vibrant and intellectually stimulating learning environment. The university is recognized for its robust research initiatives and contributions to the fields of health, art, and design, among others. VCU's emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning allows students to engage in practical, hands-on experiences that prepare them for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society. With state-of-the-art facilities, a strong network of partnerships, and a focus on fostering creativity and critical thinking, VCU continues to be a driving force in higher education and a catalyst for positive change in the local community and beyond.

The Ph.D. in Medical Physics offers students course work and research training in physics as it is applied to the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. The mission of the doctoral program is to serve the commonwealth of Virginia and the nation by helping to meet the demand for competent medical physicists in both the health care delivery and biomedical research settings. The program will prepare students for careers as independent investigators in the field of medical physics and jointly for careers in university departments, research institutes, laboratories and hospitals as trainee clinical medical physicists. Research areas include molecular imaging, functional imaging using PET and NMR, cone-beam CT image reconstruction, deformable image registration, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, radiation therapy dose calculations, 4D radiation therapy and brachytherapy dose calculations.