Physics and Computing in Medicine and Biology: The University of Manchester

Course description

This programme has options to suit most science graduates. It provides multidisciplinary training that prepares students for a career in medical instrumentation, biomedical R&D, medical imaging and hospital physics.

The syllabus has been designed in collaboration with colleagues from the NHS and industry, and reflects their need for recruits with a combination of knowledge and skills in information technology, life science, mathematical methods, statistics and physical science.

Learning and project opportunities are available within specified departments of leading hospitals in the North-West of England. Most taught course units are assessed by a combination of course work and an end of module examination. Where the two types of assessment are used, they carry roughly equal numbers of marks.

Three different pathways through the degree are possible:

• Medical Physics
• Medical Imaging & Computer Vision
• Biomedical Engineering

Candidates select the variant they wish to pursue on the basis of qualifications on entry and intended career.

The Medical Physics pathway is intended for physicists and engineers wishing to apply their skills in a hospital setting. The pathway in Medical Imaging and Computer Vision is intended for physical scientists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers who wish to work in biomedical R&D, specialising in applications of imaging and image analysis. The pathway in Biomedical Engineering is similarly intended for physical scientists, computer scientists, mathematicians and engineers, and provides broadly-based training for working in biomedical R&D.

Module details

Students take six out of the following course units:

• Clinical Physics
• Computer Vision
• Instrumentation
• Introductory Human Biology
• Mathematical Models
• Medical Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Physiological Measurement
• Radiotherapy

Career opportunities

The programme prepares students for careers in medical instrumentation, biomedical R&D, medical imaging and hospital physics. Typical destinations are the health service, multinational companies or higher education.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview:

The requirements for the different pathways are as follows:

• Medical Physics - A good Honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in Physics or Engineering, or a comparable professional qualification.
• Medical Imaging and Computer Vision and Biomedical Engineering - A good Honours degree, or the overseas equivalent, in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or Mathematics, or a comparable professional qualification.

English language:

Students whose language of study is not English must pass the IELTS test at Grade 6.5 or above, with a score of 5 or above in each component and a score of 6 or above in the written test. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 600 (250 computer-based) or Grade C in the Cambridge Proficiency test.