The University of New Mexico Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering and the Health Sciences Department of Radiology have united to create a Master of Science in Chemical/Nuclear Engineering with a concentration in Medical Physics. The program is administrated through the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering.
Medical physics is the application of engineering and physics to the needs of medicine. It uses concepts and methods of physics to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating human disease. It is closely aligned with bioengineering and health physics (radiation protection and control). In medicine, radiology, radiation oncology and nuclear medicine all depend on various types of radiation for diagnosis and cure.
Beginning with the discovery of x-rays in 1845 by Wilhelm Roentgen, the role of the physicist has been critical in understanding how radiation interacts with matter. With the discovery of radioactivity by Henri Becquerel in 1896 and the separation of radium by Marie and Pierre Curie in 1889, it became known that certain materials emitted radiation. The hazards and biological effects of x-rays and radioactive materials became apparent early on. After these discoveries many outstanding scientists suggested that radiation might be used for treating malignancies. All of this has given rise to the discipline of medical physics.
