The Medical Physics program is taught at both Duke Kunshan University and Duke University in the U.S. The Medical Physics program was offered at Duke University in 2004, and it is one of the largest and most highly rated medical physics programs in the United States. Students at the Kunshan campus can receive the same degree as students in the Medical Physics program at Duke University in the United States.
The Medical Physics program at Duke Kunshan offers students the unique opportunity to study in both the United States and China. The first year and the second semester of the second year are spent in Kunshan, and the first semester of the second year is spent in Durham, North Carolina. In addition, the summer between the first and second year may be spent at Duke University.
Both Kunshan and Durham are beautiful, historic cities in their respective countries, offering students many opportunities for travel and recreation.
1. Specialty Features
The Medical Physics program at Duke emphasizes hands-on learning. Through practicum, students have the opportunity to be exposed to the clinical applications of medical physics. The Diagnostic Imaging Practicum provides first-hand experience with the core techniques of clinical imaging physics. These include computed tomography, radiography, mammography, fluoroscopy, magnetic **** vibration imaging, ultrasound and informatics.
The Radiotherapy Practicum exposes students to linear gas pedal calibration and quality testing, patient simulation and treatment planning, and clinical procedures such as brachytherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, body stereotactic radiotherapy, total body irradiation, and total body skin irradiation.
The Nuclear Medicine Practicum provides students with opportunities to use nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma depictor radiography cameras, positron emission computed tomography, radiation dose calibrators, and nuclear medicine phantom and image reproduction experiences.
In addition, there are opportunities to learn on-site from nuclear medicine physicians, technicians, and other professionals.
2. Curriculum
The Medical Physics program at Duke Kunshan combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical training, providing students with clinical experience and mastery of basic clinical physics through the use of state-of-the-art technology and medical equipment at the Duke University Medical Center and Duke partner hospitals in China. Duke's partner hospitals in China have some of the most advanced medical technology and equipment in the country.
At Duke Kunshan, you will need to choose one of the following specialization tracks, or you can choose to study a combination of tracks:
Diagnostic Imaging Physics, Radiation Therapy Physics, and Nuclear Medicine Physics.
The first year focuses on the core courses, which provide a solid foundation for the program. In the second year, the program focuses on specialized courses, clinical practice related to the specialty, elective courses, and thesis research. In addition, there is a cutting-edge science of biomedical science.
To facilitate the dissertation research and take full advantage of the Duke faculty, the fall semester of the second year is spent at Duke University. While there, engage in research with students in the Duke Graduate Medical Physics Program and receive thesis research guidance from faculty advisors.
During the two years of study, there is a weekly seminar each year. The seminars feature guest speakers and expose students to numerous research topics and industry issues through guest speakers.
Study in the Medical Physics program at Duke lasts 21-24 months. The schedule is as follows:
Fall Semester of the First Year
Location: Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China.
Courses include Radiation Physics (3 credits), Medical Physics (Anatomy and Physiology, 3 credits), Nuclear Medicine Physics (3 credits), and Medical Physics Seminar (1 credit).
Spring Semester of the First Year
Location: Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China.
Courses include Radiation Therapy Physics (3 credits), Radiation Protection (3 credits), Modern Diagnostic Imaging Systems (3 credits), and Seminar in Medical Physics (1 credit).
Summer at the end of the first year
Taught at Duke University, Durham, USA.
Course includes dissertation research, hands-on practice at Duke University Medical Center.
Fall Semester of the Second Year
Location: Duke University, Durham, USA.
The curriculum consists of advanced specialization courses (3 credits), clinical practice and apprenticeship (3 credits), medical physics seminar (1 credit), and thesis research (3 credits).
Spring Semester of the Second Year
Location: Duke Kunshan University, Kunshan, China.
The program consists of one elective course (3 credits), cutting-edge science in biomedical sciences (3 credits), a seminar in medical physics (1 credit), and thesis research (3 credits).