UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Template 7: Graduating Year Review Template
Details
Current Year
2010
Name of Programme
Bachelor of Science (Honours) Medical Physics
Original Programme Identifier
UC/05 – BSc(Hons)Medical Physics
Name of Self-Review Coordinator
Prof Mike Robb – Department of Communication Disorders
Programme Statement
Description
A medical physicist applies scientific knowledge and engineering and technological skills to help prevent,
diagnose and treat many kinds of diseases and health conditions. They are most often clinical scientists who
play a pivotal role in planning and implementing patient treatment programmes. A medical physicist is typically
a member of a multi-disciplinary team and may be involved in several activities relating to diagnosis and/or
treatment in Radiology, Nuclear Medicine or Radiation Therapy. They may also be in charge of commissioning
of new equipment and quality control. They perform or supervise procedures necessary to ensure the safe and
effective delivery of radiation to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic result as prescribed in patient care. A
shortage of trained medical physicists in New Zealand combined with an increasing need for medical physicists
led to the development of the Medical Physics Programme.
In July 2003, the University of Canterbury introduced the PGDipSc in Medical Physics, the MSc in Medical
Physics (non-clinical), the MSc in Medical Physics (clinical), and the PhD in Medical Physics. In 2005, the BSc
(Hons) in Medical Physics was established and the structure of the degree closely parallels that of the PGDipSc
in Medical Physics. Prior to establishing these degree programmes there were no New Zealand training
programmes in medical physics.
Achievement
The primary goal of the Medical Physics programme is to educate qualified graduates in the knowledge and
skills required of a physicist practicing in a hospital or other relevant institution. The BSc(Hons) is a one-year
fulltime programme originally consisting of six courses plus a research project. The six courses provide formal
academic education in the physics, anatomy, physiology, technical and professional matters for a physicist
practising in radiation oncology or medical imaging. The research project provides an introduction to medical
physics research and research techniques.
The graduate profile established for the BSc(Hons) Medical Physics is as follows:
 An adequate span of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to work under general supervision
on standard medical physics tasks.
 An ability to exercise individual judgement and initiative in the application of physics principles,
techniques and methods to medical situations.
 An ability to explain problems to other specialists and to respond with appropriate vocabulary.
 An ability to establish new work programmes.
 A capacity for judgement, innovation and creativity.
 A capacity for interpreting the state of the art to non-specialist clients, professionals in related
disciplines, students, enforcing authorities or administrators.
 An appreciation of professional matters relevant to the practice of medical physics such as ethics and
responsibilities.
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Appraisal:
Based on interviews with staff and students (both present and former) the coursework established for this
particular degree meets the graduate profile. The coursework provides a strong theoretical foundation for a
career in medical physics with appropriate formal assessment. The degree also provides a pathway for pursuit
of a PhD in Medical Physics. There is a demonstrated need for medical physicists with a PhD in the workforce.
Changes
Instigated by the introduction of 15 point courses across the university the curriculum was reviewed and two
courses were added, raising the total number of available courses from six to eight. Each course is now worth
15 points (reduced from 20 points) with a corresponding course weight of 0.125 EFTS (reduced from 0.167
EFTS). The core of six medical physics coded courses plus the Honours research project has been retained.
One of the new courses is a 400-level elective in any area of physics. The second course addition is PHYS407
Research Tools which provides 400-level students in Physics, as well as Medical Physics, with a research
methods course.
Several changes were made to the coursework for the MSc, BSc(Hons) and PGDipSc after a review by the
professional college (ACPSEM) in 2008 that were subsequently implemented in January 2009. These changes
included a review of MDPH402 Professional Matters for the Medical Physicist that resulted in a name change
to Nuclear Medicine. The necessary coursework in the area of nuclear medicine required for accreditation is
now reflected in the MDPH402 course, of which 10% of the coursework covers professional matters for
medical physicists.
Review Processes
E
Account of Review Processes
The panel assembled for the Graduating Year Review of the Medical Physics programme was approved by the
Dean of Science and consisted of Prof Michael Robb, Dr Juergen Meyer, and Dr Dharamvir Ahluwalia. Prof
Robb chaired the review and is currently the Head of the Department of Communication Disorders and has
considerable experience in the development and administration of clinical training programmes, specifically
audiology and speech-language therapy. Dr Meyer is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics &
Astronomy and was specifically hired to contribute to the many facets of the programme and holds clinical,
research and teaching expertise in Medical Radiation Physics. Dr Meyer was responsible for gathering feedback
from past and present students of the various degree programmes. Dr Ahluwalia is a Senior Lecturer in the
Department of Physics & Astronomy who provides teaching and research expertise in the areas of astrophysics
and cosmology. Although Dr Ahluwalia is a physicist, his teaching and research interests fall completely
outside the area of medical physics, thereby providing an independent perspective in the review process.
As part of the review consultation process the following groups were contacted:
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

staff members contributing to the teaching and clinical aspects of the programme
past and present students
other universities with similar programmes, professional organisations and employers that have a link
with Medical Physics.
Feedback to the panel was provided via email or face-to-face interview. A summary of the interview questions
and responses are available.
Review Outcomes
E
Acceptability
There are clear indications of the programme’s ongoing acceptability. Foremost among these indicators is the
oversight provided by ACPSEM. This organisation has formally accredited the PGDipSc in Medical Physics,
the MSc in Medical Physics (non-clinical), the MSc in Medical Physics (clinical), and the PhD in Medical
Physics. The BSc(Hons) has not been formally accredited; however the coursework comprising the BSc(Hons)
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has been evaluated favourably by ACPSEM. This Association also serves as the primary professional
organisation for Physical Scientists and Engineers throughout New Zealand and Australia. Their endorsement
of the coursework and structure of the Medical Physics programmes at the University of Canterbury is indeed a
significant indicator of its acceptability at national and international levels. Further, both staff and students
involved in the programme have successfully published their research in peer-reviewed journals.
Comments from staff members contributing to the teaching and clinical aspects of the programme were
positive, particularly, that the degree follows international guidelines and is comparable to other programmes
internationally. There is a good balance of practical and theoretical components along with a good focus on
practical applications. The importance of students having a strong physics background was emphasised and the
introduction of PHYS407 Research Tools was supported. Gaining adequate access to equipment for research
projects was raised as an issue.
Four (4) of the six current and past BSc(Hons) students contacted responded. Overall responses were very
positive. Lecturers being clinically experienced and having professional development as part of the course
were highlighted as strengths. One respondent endorsed the adjustment to course PHYS402 Nuclear Medicine.
(See section on Changes above.)
Responses from other universities with accredited programmes, professional organisations, and employers was
positive. The fact that the programme is accredited by ACPSEM (Australasian College of Physical Scientists
and Engineers in Medicine), has links with industry and the profession, and that the programme is vital for a
sustainable workforce within NZ were identified as strengths. It was also commented that the difference
between Hons/MSc students in medical physics needs to be more clearly delineated. The risk of reliance on a
small number of academic staff was raised.
Overall respondents’ comments were positive and strongly supportive of the programme offered and indicated
that the graduate profile was being met. This niche programme was viewed as very important for New Zealand.
Assessment procedures and student performance
The delivery of courses incorporates methods similar to those already in use within the Department of Physics
& Astronomy and the Faculty of Science. Courses are taught in lecture and tutorial format, as well as through
several visits to, and lectures at, Christchurch Hospital. Assessment of courses in the programme follow
principles and practices set out in the University of Canterbury Teaching and Learning Committee, as well as
those established by ACPSEM. Assessments include a combination of written assignments or essays, tests
and/or examinations, class & seminar presentations, as well as reports covering a wide range of medical
diagnostic and therapy applications. The number and types of assessments established for each course appear
reasonable and are applicable to the established course objectives
DATA: Table 1 Numbers enrolling and completing
Table 2 Distribution of grades (for final year courses)
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Programme Evaluation
The BSc(Hons) in Medical Physics is the only programme of its kind in New Zealand. Since 2007 there have
been a total of 4 students to complete the BSc(Hons) in Medical Physics. The low number of students is not
surprising because the BSc(Hons) in Medical Physics is designed to provide a potential pathway for the PhD.
There is a severe shortage of PhD medical physicists and the BSc(Hons) was developed to help reduce this
shortage. Indeed two of the past graduates are currently completing their PhD studies.
The comments from past and present students are highly supportive of the programme. In particular, they
appreciate having clinically experienced lecturers. The comments from overseas universities also note that a
major strength of the degree is the PhD pathway. Delivery of the programme is reliant on a small number of
academic staff within the Department of Physics & Astronomy, as well as reliance on fixed-term staff with the
medical physics community.
The programme is subject to regular quality evaluation through internal University of Canterbury monitoring
procedures, and through external review. Internally, the University Student Survey and Testing Unit conduct
student surveys of course content and teaching for each course annually. At the conclusion of each semester the
Programme also holds an Examiners’ Meeting to discuss student and course content matters. The Australasian
College of Physical Scientists (ACPSEM) is an external professional body that provides accreditation to
university programmes in medical physics every five years. The various postgraduate degree offerings in
Medical Physics were granted Full Accreditation status from 24/08/2005 to 24/08/2010. The ACPSEM has
informally notified the Dept of Physics that the re-accreditation process will not be undertaken until 2011.
Continuation or Discontinuation
On the basis of an extensive review of the various aspects of the BSc(Hons) in Medical Physics programme,
there are clear indications that the programme is important and necessary for meeting national workforce needs.
The panel were in unanimous agreement that continuation of the degree is warranted.
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