Department of Medical Physics and Advanced Imaging

Medical Physics: Philosophy

The Department of Medical Physics offers a program of study and clinical research leading to the Master of Science degree. The faculty members of the department are active in theoretical and experimental research in medical physics and its clinical applications. The faculty’s diverse interests allow the department to offer a program that can satisfy students’ interests and needs in several areas of medical physics:

Dosimetry
Imaging applied to medicine
Radiation sources
Physics of radiation oncology
Physics of diagnostic radiology
Physics of nuclear medicine
Radiation protection

Note for the current academic year: The College of Health Sciences offers a Master of Science, major in Medical Physics, degree that provides a curriculum to prepare practitioners. Admission of students to this program in any given year is contingent on a number of factors, including availability of necessary resources, such as faculty, space and equipment, and the level of interest expressed in the applicant pool. The program’s leadership has assessed these and other factors and has concluded that no new students will be admitted for the current academic year. Questions about the program and its future plans should be directed to the program director.

Imaging Sciences Education Program:

Degree Offered

Bachelor of Science in Imagine Sciences

Statement of Educational Philosophy

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences Program faculty shares a set of beliefs consistent with the philosophies and missions of Rush University and its clinical affiliates. The faculty believes that the knowledge, attitudes and skills required for professional medical imaging are best achieved through a combination of theory and related clinical experiences. Clinical application of theory based knowledge in the technical aspects of medical imaging, critical thinking, communication and quality patient care prepares students to become competent and compassionate professionals dedicated to a career of service to society. Learning is a life-long process promoted when intellectual inquiry, creativity, self-awareness, self-direction, maturity and responsibility are valued. This process results in positive attitude changes, knowledge acquisition and technical competence.

The Imaging Sciences Program is dedicated to the mission of the College of Health Sciences and Rush University in that it seeks to enroll a diverse student body in order to promote the values of diversity and inclusion of our program. The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences Program is committed to preparing advanced-level imaging science professionals to provide high-quality, diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures to patients.

Mission

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences degree program is dedicated to the mission of the College of Health Sciences and Rush University. The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences degree is committed to preparing advanced-level imaging science professionals to provide high-quality, diagnostic and interventional imaging procedures to patients.

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences is to provide the highest quality of education to students through formal didactic and state-of-the-art clinical experiences that prepare our students to be imaging professionals, who are patient care focused, critical thinkers and engaged in lifelong learning. The program also seeks to enroll a diverse student body to promote the values of diversity and inclusion in our program.

Vision

The vision of the Imaging Sciences Program is to be a premier educational program in Imaging Sciences by providing innovative curricular, clinical and continuing education services to the diagnostic imaging community and the patients we serve. Our vision is to transform lives through academic excellence, innovation, and leadership.

Values

The Imaging Sciences faculty support the following values:

Student learning through the effective use of available educational opportunities including
- Entry-level professional programs, advanced level educational programs, and continuing education offerings.
- Diverse patient populations.
- Broad spectrum of technology and health facilities.
Creative activity and research resulting from the collaboration of faculty and students.
Ethical behavior and professional integrity in addition to technical competence.
Civic engagement involved in collaborating with a variety of internal and external constituencies including health care facilities, and professional organizations.

Goals

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences degree is dedicated to clinical and academic excellence in teaching, scholarship, service and patient care. The Imaging Sciences Program is designed to provide students with an outstanding education in preparation for a satisfying professional career as advanced Imaging Sciences practitioners as well as providing a foundation for leadership in management and supervision, education and clinical specialization.

The overall purpose of the program is to provide a high quality of education that is relevant and professionally sound to meet the advanced imaging needs in the health care community. Inherent in this purpose is the goal to prepare imaging sciences professionals who can demonstrate the knowledge, skills and professional competencies needed to perform advanced-level imaging in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cardiac-Interventional (CI), Vascular-Interventional (VI) and other advanced imaging modalities while completing their bachelor’s degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a mastery of advanced medical imaging skills in either Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) or Cardiac or Interventional Radiography by producing diagnostic quality Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Interventional Angiographic procedures.
Apply proper positioning skills related to imaging procedures.
Select appropriate technical factors for imaging procedures.
Justify the appropriate use of magnetic fields and radio frequencies*
Select appropriate radiation protection practices on patients, self, and others**
Summarize patient history and interpret lab results pertinent to imaging procedures.
Evaluate image quality appropriately.
Modify standard procedures based on pathology, body habitus and non-routine situations.
Demonstrate effective use of oral and writing skills.
Create effective medical imaging case presentation studies.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrate the value of professional development for patient care and medical imaging practices.
Demonstrate effective compassionate communication skills with diverse patient populations and support the core values of caring, integrity, and discovery.

*Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Students Only
**Computed Tomography (CT) and Cardiac-Interventional (CI) or Vascular-Interventional (VI) Radiography Students Only