On June 2011, the Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics starts offering its newest undergraduate program, Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics (Health Physics).

The BS Applied Physics (Health Physics) program helps to address the shortage of science and technology (S&T) manpower in the Philippines. It is expected that the demand for health physics professionals will grow in the coming years.

What is Health Physics?

Health Physics is a profession dedicated to the safeguarding of the environment and its people from the effects of radiation. Health Physics is also concerned with the development and implementation of protective guidelines.

Radiation protection incorporates a wide array of knowledge from various fields: physics, biology, chemistry, earth science, engineering, environmental science and medicine. These make the health physicist a well-rounded individual.

 

What does it provide to students?

It equips students with

1. analytical, computational and experimental skills needed in radiation dosimetry, radiation protection and medical imaging
2. needed tools for research
3. the knowledge and experience requisite to assuming a leadership role in the health physics profession
4. needed background and competencies for collaborating with members of the health physics community

Where do graduates go?

The graduates can

1. work as health physicists in academic institutions, private companies and industries, research institutions, medical centers and hospitals, and government regulatory agencies.
2. easily find employment in various companies and industries with require employees having a technical background
3. proceed to take an MSc or PhD in any field of Physics, including health physics, or Biomedical Engineering
4. pursue an addition of two years of clinical training and afterwards work as medical physicists
5. pursue an MSc or PhD in Medical Physics to become medical physicists

 

Admission

The program is a non-quota program of the university. To be admitted to the program, a freshman must have:

• passed the UPCAT; and,
• obtained a UPG within the cut-off set by the Admission Committee of the College of Arts and Sciences

BS Applied Physics (Health Physics) curriculum can be downloaded here.

For more information about the BS Applied Physics (Health Physics), visit the department or email Prof. Sarah Johnson (scjohnson@upm.edu.ph).