Physics of Medicine (B.S., Minor)
Physics of Medicine (B.S., Minor)
Program Description
What is the Physics of Medicine major?
The physics of medicine major track is interdisciplinary in nature and is designed for students who wish to attend clinical graduate school programs in medicine or health care. Physics of Medicine students experience a unique, hands-on curriculum that focuses on a deep conceptual understanding of physics as it applies to other sciences, medicine and health care. Our medical physics graduates leave Rockhurst with strong communication and critical thinking skills that enable them to integrate their scientific understanding with their desired career path.
In this major you'll learn the role of physics in the biomechanics of the human body, respiratory and cardiovascular systems, electrical system and functioning of the eyes and ears. You'll also gain an understanding of the physics that guides medical and nuclear imaging, therapy and endoscopic surgery.
Maximize your potential for acceptance into competitive graduate programs in medicine, physical therapy, biomechanics or other health care programs by setting yourself apart with this degree.
Many students who have gone on to graduate schools in medicine and health care have remarked how beneficial a strong foundation in Physics of Medicine has been to their admission and success in competitive graduate programs. (See Alumni Quotes below)
Rockhurst University POM Program Accomplishments
- Graduates attend competitive graduate programs in Medical School, Physical Therapy, Masters in Prosthetics, Optometry
- Three National Science Foundation Grant Awards for POM curriculum development
- Three national awards from the American Academy of Medical Colleges for outstanding pre-health physics curriculum
- Ranked first nationally in awarding a second degree in physics to women
- American Physical Society Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education
- Physics Faculty Teacher Excellence Awards
- Over the past decade-plus, the Physics department at Rockhurst University has made a concentrated effort toward transformation and growth through the design of courses relevant to its students’ career interests in medicine and health care. Using an inquiry-based, active learning pedagogy with research-based curriculum, the department has seen a dramatic increase in the number and diversity of its physics students. Read more from aps.org (2019)
Learning Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate their conceptual understanding of a wide range of applications of physics to the human body and healthcare devices.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze a wide range of situations using their understanding of selected topics from physics, biology, physiology, and chemistry.
- Students will demonstrate their ability to research, design and create a working model of a system in the body relating physics principles to medicine and healthcare.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in oral and written scientific communication and will demonstrate that they can think critically and work independently.
Course Map
The Physics of Medicine curriculum was developed under a National Science Foundation grant award. The active learning, hands-on curricular modules developed under the grant (Physics of the Respiratory System and Fiber Optics in Medicine) have won national awards from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC). In large part due to the Physics of Medicine track, Rockhurst ranks first in the nation in awarding a second degree in physics to females and 7th nationally in awarding a second degree in physics to all genders.
As a physics of medicine student, you will take everything from introductory physics courses to upper-division courses such as Physics of the Body, Physics of Medical Imaging, Optics and Medical Imaging.
In addition to 16 hours of core physics of medicine courses, you will choose nine hours of interdisciplinary coursework from a list of additional courses such as Kinesiology Concepts, Advanced Human Anatomy, Biochemistry, Behavioral Neuroscience, Medical Ethics, Developmental Psychology and Perspectives in Global Health.
Rockhurst offers the physics of medicine minor that you can coordinate with your chosen major. For this minor, you will take four physics of medicine courses.
For more information on Rockhurst's POM major or minor, please contact Nancy Donaldson, Ph.D.
Experiences
- One-year Physics of the Body Research Project
- Field trips to a medical imaging and nuclear medicine facility
- Opportunity to join Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society
- Service Opportunities: “Wacky Science Night” at the local children’s hospital
- Research in Physics of Medicine capstone with opportunity to present work nationally
- Students can join the Society of Physics Students on campus
- Learn through an integrated, interdisciplinary, hands-on curriculum funded by the National Science Foundation that will give you a significant advantage for your future health career
Outcomes
- Graduate school in biomedical sciences
- Graduate school in business or health care administration
- Graduate school in a wide variety of medical/healthcare programs: medical, dental, veterinary, physical therapy, optometry, prosthetics/orthotics, occupational/speech therapy.
Alumni Quotes
About the physics of medicine program, one student who went on to Osteopathic Medical School said the following:
Osteopathic Medical School Student:
"The physiology that is taught at KCU is very similar to the information that we studied in Physics of the Body. I feel slightly ahead of my classmates in this section. This is partially due to the material similarities but also due to the fact that we were really taught to think and rationalize the physics of the body. I would encourage any students thinking about a graduate degree program in healthcare to take Physics of Medicine. It has helped so immensely." — Madison Roberts, RU '17, Kansas City University DO Candidate '21
Additional Medical School Students:
“… you really taught us to think and rationalize the physics of the body.” I would encourage any students thinking about a graduate program in health care to take POM. It has helped so immensely.”
“I think you have a groundbreaking program in physics of medicine and I would encourage students to take it if they are interested in health careers.”
Physical Therapy Student:
“I am very proud of the knowledge I attained in my POM major and am really happy with how much it is helping me in grad school. I hope you share this with your students and prospective PT candidates. They need to know how helpful the POM major is in preparing for PT school.”
The Physics of Medicine track is part of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies.
