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Master of Science Students
Academic Progression
The graduate program director acts as academic advisor to each new student. The director determines the course schedule with students and monitors their progress. Soon after entry, students select the area of research they wish to consider for their master's theses. Each student seeks out a faculty member of the Division of Medical Physics who will become his or her scientific advisor. The advisor and student assemble an advisory committee of five members, at least three of whom are on The Graduate College faculty. The advisor serves as chair of the advisory committee. The committee is responsible for adapting continued coursework to the student's needs and for providing advice and evaluation at all stages of the graduate program. Specifically, the committee will evaluate the student's thesis proposal, thesis and performance at the thesis defense. Before beginning the specific thesis research, the student must present a detailed proposal, including a literature review, to the advisory committee. At that time, the student will be required to give an oral defense of the study that demonstrates his/her understanding of the study's goals and methods. When the committee is satisfied with the proposal, the student may begin the research project. Although the major advisor will closely supervise the research, it is the student's responsibility to attain the research goals. Thesis Defense
The thesis is a scholarly work based on an original project. Its format and review by the advisory committee and dean must comply with the requirements of The Graduate College. Oral defense of the thesis serves as the final examination in partial completion of the requirements for the master's degree. The examining committee includes a minimum of five faculty members approved by the department advisory committee. At least three examiners, including the student's principal and associate advisors, are selected from within the division. Two examiners may be selected from outside the division, preferably, though not necessarily, from outside the University. Distinguished scientists may be invited as guests of the division to examine the thesis and to participate in the final defense. Passing the final examination is based upon the recommendation of the majority of the examiners. If the student fails to pass the final examination, the student may appeal to the dean of The Graduate College.
Doctor of Philosophy Students Academic Progression
The graduate program director functions as academic advisor to each new student during the first year. During this time, the director determines course schedules with students and monitors their progress. Toward the end of the first year, students take a qualifying examination covering basic physics, therapeutic and imaging physics, radiation protection, transfer function analysis, and current topics discussed during the medical physics seminar series. This examination includes written and oral components. Based on the results of the qualifying examination and performance in coursework, students may be permitted to continue in the program without conditions. If a student's performance is poor, he or she may either be permitted to continue with added requirements or dismissed from the University. During the second year, the student selects the area of research he or she wishes to consider for the PhD dissertation. The student should seek out a faculty member of the Division of Medical Physics who will act as the scientific advisor. The advisor and student assemble a dissertation committee of no fewer than five members, at least three of whom are on The Graduate College faculty. The department advisory committee must approve the membership of the dissertation committee. Toward the end of the second year, the student is expected to take a preliminary oral examination. This examination is given only after the student has completed all required courses and eliminated all deficiencies. At the oral examination, the student is required to:
- Demonstrate competency in general and clinical medical physics
- Demonstrate adequate knowledge in medical physics
- Defend the research proposal
- Show his or her understanding of the proposed study's goals and methods
The dissertation committee conducts the oral examination. The student's level of performance on this examination determines whether he or she is admitted to candidacy for the PhD degree. Students failing to gain admission to candidacy may be retested six to twelve months after the original examination date. The student may begin and register for dissertation research after admission to candidacy. The dissertation committee meets with the student periodically to review progress and provide feedback. The major advisor closely supervises the research, but it is the student's responsibility to attain the research goals.
Dissertation
The dissertation is a scholarly work based on an original project. Its format and review by the dissertation committee and dean must comply with the requirements of The Graduate College. The public presentation and oral defense of the dissertation serve as the final examination in partial completion of the requirements for the PhD degree. Distinguished scientists outside of Rush may be invited as guests of the division to examine the dissertation and to participate in the final oral defense. The dissertation committee examiners recommend whether a student passes the final examination. |
