Prospective Students

Ryerson's Department of Physics offers three degree programs specializing in Medical and Biomedical Physics.

Undergraduate Program

Medical Physics is a program which focuses on learning physics-based concepts which apply to procedures of relevance to medicine.

For example, medical procedures such as CT scans, MRI, PET, ultrasound, X-ray, and the determination of levels of toxic elements in the body are all procedures that have been and continue to be developed based on knowledge in physics.

In the first year, students in the Medical Physics program are exposed to introductory courses in all sciences: Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology and Computers. As they progress into upper year, physics courses become more professionally specialized and students will develop an awareness of the multidisciplinary approach necessary to succeed in this field. A co-op option of 5 years instead of 4 is also available.

Ryerson offers this unique program with great advantages. Many researchers at the department of Physics at Ryerson are well known as leaders in cutting-edge fields that help detect and treat tumours early and more accurately. Also the location of the school near the Toronto downtown hospitals enable collaborations with clinicians and offers prospects for students to gain hands-on experience.

Students who excel in their studies will have ample opportunity to be part of the research teams as early as after completing their first year. Students may apply to scholarships and employment opportunities within the department.

Upon graduation, students will be equipped to be employed in businesses and industries that apply physics to medical research, health-care settings as well as government agencies are involved in human and environmental exposure to radiation.

Students who complete the Medical Physics program are in a good position to apply to a professional program in medicine/health science, education, business or even law.
Students can also pursue graduates studies (our department offers Master and Doctoral studies in Biomedical physics) which will open careers as university teachers/researchers or as medical physicists in clinical setting hospitals/departments.

Graduate Program

The Department of Physics has as its core research focus biomedical physics. It is a relatively young Department consisting of several award winning faculty members that are recognized or emerging leaders in their fields. Through several rounds of funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and other federal and provincial granting agencies, we have built cutting-edge laboratories, several with instrumentation that is unique worldwide.

The faculty members in the Biomedical Physics program pride themselves on spending a lot of time and effort to maintain an environment that promotes academic excellence and personal growth.

Ryerson is located in the heart of the downtown of one of the most vibrant metropolises in North America and within what City of Toronto has designated as the "Discovery District," home to seven world-renowned hospitals and more than 30 specialized medical and related sciences research centers.

Our graduates have found employment at various institutes, hospitals and government agencies. Many of our graduates continue their studies in highly competitive graduate programs in North America.

Find out more about our Department by visiting or talking to our faculty members and please feel free to contact me should you require more information!

Michael Kolios, PhD
Program Director