Curriculum

Health physicists are public health professionals that deal with radiation protection issues, often referred to as one of the “allied health professions.” They are trained in the recognition, evaluation, and control of both ionizing and nonionizing radiation. They oversee the safe use and application of radiation in a variety of occupational and nonoccupational settings. Health physics promote excellence in the science and practice of radiation protection. They typically work at facilities where radiation or radioactivity is used or produced, including medical institutions, government laboratories, research facilities, nuclear power plants, universities, and regulatory agencies. (Health physics is distinct from “medical physics,” which is a subspecialty of physics that specifically deals with the delivery of radiation to patients in a clinical situation, such as a diagnostic radiology facility or a radiation oncology clinic.)

Practicing health physicists typically have undergraduate degrees in one of the basics sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, environmental science, etc.), and a master’s degree specifically in health physics. The tradition health physics track of the Georgetown University Health Physics Graduate Program specifically trains students to be health physics professionals.

There is a growing need in the US government and other international, regional and local agencies for well-trained professionals in the field of Nuclear Nonproliferation. To meet this need Georgetown University has developed an 18-month program intended for students interested in a career in this field. The objective of this program is to create a talented pool of nonproliferation specialists with a strong background in the scientific/technological aspects of the subject as well as an understanding and appreciation of the policy issues involved.

Students will acquire in-depth scientific and technical knowledge of nuclear nonproliferation, while the policy aspects are embedded with the science in a unique set of courses that were developed specifically for this program. In addition, the core courses in Radiation Science, Radiation Protection and Environmental Radiation will provide a background in the effects of ionizing radiation on humans and protection from radiation both manmade and environmental. Opportunities for internships at the Department of Energy (DOE), or other facilities in the US or abroad will be available and will provide the student with practical work experience.