Biomedical Physics, PhD

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The primary objective of the PhD program in biomedical physics is to graduate scientists who can apply the tools and concepts of physics to solve significant biological and medical problems and advance our understanding of fundamental biomedical processes. Core curricula in both applied physics and biomedical areas are designed to provide training for students with diverse backgrounds in physics, applied physics, biochemistry, and engineering. All students are required to complete a dissertation project under supervision of a faculty advisor.

Admission

Students are admitted either to the PhD program alone or to the integrated PhD and MS in physics – medical physics concentration.

The applicant preferably holds have a master’s degree in physics, applied physics, medical physics, or related fields. Applicants holding a baccalaureate degree in above mentioned fields showing significant potential for the PhD program may be considered for acceptance. Acceptable performance on the GRE and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in graduate work are required.

The following documents are required before final admission is approved: completed application form for admission to Graduate School, official transcripts from colleges and universities attended, official or certified copy of score reports of the GRE and TOEFL (if applicable), letters of reference from three persons who can attest to the applicant’s academic competence, and an essay describing the applicant’s career goals and research interests which are consistent with the educational opportunities offered in the PhD program.

Course and Residence Requirements

The PhD program requires a minimum of 48 s.h. of courses beyond the master’s degree with the exception of baccalaureate to PhD students who are required to complete a minimum of 76 s.h. The student will take a minimum of 6 s.h. of courses from a physics core, a minimum of 6 s.h. of courses from a biomedical core, and a minimum of 36 s.h. of dissertation research courses. Additional courses may be required by the graduate committee, depending on the individual student’s preparation. Students entering with a baccalaureate degree are further required to complete the coursework of the MS in physics – applied physics concentration without thesis.

Students must demonstrate a working knowledge of at least one high-level computer language, such as FORTRAN or C. After a majority of the courses have been completed, students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination before being admitted to candidacy for the PhD in biomedical physics. Students are required to write and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation.

Students must complete at least five consecutive semesters in residence (excluding summers). A list of physics and biomedical core courses may be found in the Graduate Student Handbook which is posted on the Department of Physics Web site: www.ecu.edu/physics.

Transfer Credits

Because of the broad interest and collaborative nature of the PhD program, the graduate committee will evaluate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of 6 s.h. of transfer credit may be accepted.

If a student enrolls in this program and already has the equivalent of the 12 s.h. beyond the master’s degree, he or she may petition the graduate committee for a waiver or substitution for these courses.

Other Program Expectations

Students entering the PhD program with a master’s degree should complete it by the end of three years following initial enrollment. Students entering the PhD program with a baccalaureate degree should complete it by the end of five years following initial enrollment. With the endorsement of the advisory committee, a student having deficiencies in preparation may request an extension of no more than two years.