Oct 08, 2024  
2023-2024 University Catalog 
    
2023-2024 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Radiological Health Sciences-Pre-Medical Physics, BS


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About the Program


Radiation is all around us and is used to generate power, analyze samples and materials, diagnose medical conditions and treat cancer. These powerful tools require trained individuals (radiation safety officer/health physicist/medical physicist) to protect patients, medical staff and the public from unnecessary exposure to radiation. A radiation safety officer within an organization is responsible for the safe use of radiation and radioactive materials as well as regulatory compliance. A trained health physicist evaluates the radiation environment using instruments and calculations and works with regulatory authorities to ensure compliance with radiation exposure standards. Medical physicists work closely with physicians and patients to develop radiation therapy treatments that minimize side effects while effectively treating cancer and medical imaging procedures and technology to diagnose disease.

School of Health Sciences

Radiological Health Sciences Major Change (CODO) Requirements  

Degree Requirements


120 Credits Required

Pre-Medical Physics Concentration (35-37 credits)


A minimum grade of “C” is required for HSCI 57000, HSCI 57200; MA 16100 or 16500, MA 16200 or MA 16600; and PHYS 17200.

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (18-19 credits)


  • ♦ (satisfies Oral Communication for core)
  •  

  • ♦ (satisfies Written Communication and Information Literacy for core) or
  • ♦ (satisfies Written Communication and Information Literacy for core)
  •  

  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Sciences Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Sciences for core)
  • English Selective - any ENGL course 20000 level or above - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • HSCI Humanities, Behavioral/Social Sciences Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
  • Human Cultures: Humanities Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00 (satisfies Human Cultures: Humanities for core)

Electives (3-6 credits)


  • An Ethics course (such as PHIL 11100 Ethics, PHIL 27000 Biomedical Ethics, or PHIL 29000 Environmental Ethics) is highly recommended for elective credit.

Grade Requirements


GPA Requirements


  • 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Science degree.

Pass/No Pass Policy


  • A student may elect the Pass / Not-Pass grading option for elective courses only, unless an academic unit requires that a specific departmental course/s be taken Pass / Not-Pass.  Students may elect to take University Core Curriculum courses Pass / Not-Pass; however, some major Plans of Study require courses that also fulfill UCC foundational outcomes.  In such cases, students may not elect the Pass / Not-Pass option.  A maximum of 24 credits of elective courses under the Pass / Not-pass grading option can be used toward graduation requirements. For further information, students should refer to the College of Health and Human Sciences Pass / Not-Pass Policy.

University Requirements


University Core Requirements


For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the University Senate Website.
  • Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
  • Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
  • Information Literacy (IL)
  • Oral Communication (OC)
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
  • Science #1 (SCI)
  • Science #2 (SCI)
  • Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
  • Written Communication (WC) 

Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement


The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry. For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.

Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:

  • Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
  • Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course).

Upper Level Requirement


  • Resident study at Purdue University for at least two semesters and the enrollment in and completion of at least 32 semester hours of coursework required and approved for the completion of the degree. These courses are expected to be at least junior-level (30000+) courses.
  • Students should be able to fulfill most, if not all, of these credits within their major requirements; there should be a clear pathway for students to complete any credits not completed within their major.

Sample 4-Year Plan


17-18 Credits


15-17 Credits


14 Credits


14 Credits


16 Credits


Spring 3rd Year


15 Credits


Fall 4th Year


14 Credits


Spring 4th Year


15 Credits


Pre-Requisite Information


For pre-requisite information, click here.

World Language Courses


World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor. (ASL-American Sign Language; ARAB-Arabic; CHNS-Chinese; FR-French; GER-German; GREK-Greek(Ancient); HEBR-Hebrew(Biblical); HEBR-Hebrew(Modern); ITAL-Italian; JPNS-Japenese; KOR-Korean; LATN-Latin; PTGS=Portuguese; RUSS-Russian; SPAN-Spanish)

Critical Course


The ♦ course is considered critical.

In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major.  Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful.  These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”. 

Disclaimer


The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.

Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student.

The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.

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