Biomedical Physics
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    Biomedical Physics

    East Carolina University
    East Carolina University
    United States of America
    United States of America, Greenville
    Duration4 year(s)
    Tuition Fee
    USD 39,466 / Year
    Next IntakeAugust 21, 2026
    Biomedical Physics

    About

    Are you looking for a physics degree but want to do research in applying physics principles to problems in biology and medicine? Are you interested in state-of-the-art research?

    The primary objective of the PhD program in biomedical physics is to graduate scientists who can apply the tools and concepts of physics to solve significant biological and medical problems and advance our understanding of fundamental biomedical processes. This interdisciplinary program combines both basic physics with problems in biology and medicine. Students have a wide variety of specialization, from radiation physics, photonics (lasers), spectroscopy, biomedical physics, medical physics, radiation biology and physiology, among others.

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    Program Coordinator: Michael Dingfelder (127 Austin Building; 252-328-0882; [email protected])

    The primary objective of the Biomedical Physics, PhD is to graduate scientists who can apply the tools and concepts of physics to solve significant biological and medical problems and advance our understanding of fundamental biomedical processes. Core curricula in both applied physics and biomedical areas are designed to provide training for students with diverse backgrounds in physics, applied physics, biochemistry, and engineering. All students are required to complete a dissertation under supervision of a faculty advisor.

    Admission

    Students are admitted either to the PhD program alone or to the Integrated PhD and MS in Physics – medical physics concentration.

    The applicant preferably holds a master's degree in physics, applied physics, medical physics, or related fields. Applicants holding a baccalaureate degree in above mentioned fields showing significant potential for the PhD program may be considered for acceptance. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in graduate work is required.

    The following documents are required before final admission is approved: completed application form for admission to Graduate School, official transcripts from colleges and universities attended, letters of reference from three persons who can attest to the applicant's academic competence, and an essay describing the applicant's career goals and research interests which are consistent with the educational opportunities offered in the PhD program.

    International students may need to demonstrate English proficiency as approved by the Graduate School. (https://gradschool.ecu.edu/international-students/)

      Degree Requirements

      The degree requires a minimum of 50 s.h. (post-master's) and 78 s.h. (post-baccalaureate) as follows: 

        Post-master's requirements - 50 s.h.
          Physics core - 6 s.h.

          (Select 6 s.h. from the following.)

          • PHYS 6620 - Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics
          • PHYS 6621 - Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics Laboratory
          • PHYS 6810 - Topics in Atomic Collisions
          • PHYS 7110 - Mathematics Physics II
          • PHYS 7310 - Electrodynamics II
          • PHYS 7410 - Quantum Mechanics II
          • PHYS 7715 - Biomedical Optics
          • PHYS 7730 - Radiation Instrumentation
          • PHYS 7740 - Special Problems in Radiation Dosimetry and Modeling
          • PHYS 8526 - Advanced Readings in Physics I
          • PHYS 8527 - Advanced Readings in Physics II
          • PHYS 8528 - Advanced Readings in Physics III
          • PHYS 8910 - Research Problems in Biomedical Physics
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Biomedical core - 6 s.h.

          (Select 6 s.h. from the following.)

          • BIOC 7301 - Biochemistry I
          • BIOC 7310 - Molecular Biochemistry
          • BIOC 7345 - Cell Motility
          • BIOL 6030 - Topics in Cell Biology
          • BIOL 7480 - Cell Biology
          • BIOL 7481 - Cell Biology Laboratory
          • BIOL 7870 - Molecular Genetics
          • BIOC 8320 - Biochemistry II: Regulation of Metabolism
          • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
          • BIOS 7022 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals II
          • PHLY 7701 - Graduate Physiology I
          • PHLY 7702 - Graduate Physiology II
          • PHLY 7710 - Advanced Topics in Physiology
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Research ethics - 2 s.h.
          • GRAD 7004 - Research Ethics for a Complex World
            • OR
          • HUMS 7004 - Ethics and Research
          Dissertation - 36 s.h. (minimum)
          • PHYS 9000 - Dissertation
          Knowledge of high-level computer language requirement

          Students must demonstrate a working knowledge of at least one high-level computer languages, such as FORTRAN or C. PHYS 5900 and Phys 5901 may be taken to satisfy this requirement, but credits cannot be counted toward the minimum degree requirement. 

          • PHYS 5900 - Computational Physics
          • PHYS 5901 - Computational Physics Laboratory
        Post-baccalaureate requirements - 78 s.h.

        (Students entering the program with a baccalaureate degree are required to complete the Physics, MS applied physics concentration coursework with thesis.)

          Applied physics courses - 22 s.h.
          • PHYS 5311 - Mathematical Physics I
          • PHYS 5410 - Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
          • PHYS 5600 - Modern Electronics
          • PHYS 5601 - Modern Electronics Laboratory
          • PHYS 5900 - Computational Physics
          • PHYS 5901 - Computational Physics Laboratory
          • PHYS 6200 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
          • PHYS 6300 - Electrodynamics I
          • PHYS 6816 - Seminar
          • PHYS 7450 - Solid State Physics
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Applied electives - 6 s.h.

          (Select 6 s.h. from the following.)

          • PHYS 6250 - Classical Mechanics
          • PHYS 6700 - Health Physics
          • PHYS 6715 - Biomedical Physics
          • PHYS 6900 - Introduction to Research
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Physics core - 6 s.h.

          (Select 6 s.h. from the following.)

          • PHYS 6620 - Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics
          • PHYS 6621 - Advanced Techniques in Experimental Physics Laboratory
          • PHYS 6810 - Topics in Atomic Collisions
          • PHYS 7110 - Mathematics Physics II
          • PHYS 7310 - Electrodynamics II
          • PHYS 7410 - Quantum Mechanics II
          • PHYS 7715 - Biomedical Optics
          • PHYS 7730 - Radiation Instrumentation
          • PHYS 7740 - Special Problems in Radiation Dosimetry and Modeling
          • PHYS 8526 - Advanced Readings in Physics I
          • PHYS 8527 - Advanced Readings in Physics II
          • PHYS 8528 - Advanced Readings in Physics III
          • PHYS 8910 - Research Problems in Biomedical Physics
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Biomedical core - 6 s.h.

          (Select 6 s.h. from the following.)

          • BIOC 7301 - Biochemistry I
          • BIOC 7310 - Molecular Biochemistry
          • BIOC 7345 - Cell Motility
          • BIOC 8320 - Biochemistry II: Regulation of Metabolism
          • BIOL 6030 - Topics in Cell Biology
          • BIOL 7480 - Cell Biology
          • BIOL 7481 - Cell Biology Laboratory
          • BIOL 7870 - Molecular Genetics
          • BIOS 7021 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals I
          • BIOS 7022 - Biostatistics for Health Professionals II
          • PHLY 7701 - Graduate Physiology I
          • PHLY 7702 - Graduate Physiology II
          • PHLY 7710 - Advanced Topics in Physiology
          • or a program director approved course
          • or a program director approved course
          Research ethics - 2 s.h.
          • GRAD 7004 - Research Ethics for a Complex World
            • OR
          • HUMS 7004 - Ethics and Research
          Dissertation - 36 s.h. (minimum)
          • PHYS 9000 - Dissertation
      Course and Residence Requirements

      Additional courses may be required by the graduate committee, depending on the individual student's preparation. Students must complete at least five consecutive semesters in residence (excluding summers).

        Integrated PhD and MS in Physics - Medical Physics Concentration

        Students admitted to this concentration need to fulfill independently all requirements for both the MS in physics-medical physics concentration and the PhD in biomedical physics. Both degrees will be awarded concurrently.

          Transfer Credits

          Because of the broad interest and collaborative nature of the PhD program, the graduate committee will evaluate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis. A maximum of 6 s.h. of transfer credit may be accepted.

          If a student enrolls in this program and already has the equivalent of the 12 s.h. beyond the master’s degree, he or she may petition the graduate committee for a waiver or substitution for these courses.

            Time Limits for Completing the Program

            Students entering the PhD program should complete it by the end of five years following initial enrollment. With the endorsement of the advisory committee, a student having deficiencies in preparation may request an extension of no more than two years.

              For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.

              Requirements

              Entry Requirements

              In order to be considered for admission, international graduate applicants follow the same steps as a U.S. applicant with a few exceptions as identified in Red font. Step by step instructions are identified below:

              • Complete the ECU Online Graduate School Application: One application fee and one set of supporting documents should be submitted for each program of study applying to.
              • Pay the Application Fee: Payment will be made through the self-service portal prior to submission of the application. The payment portal accepts debit or credit card only.
              • Provide Foreign Transcript Evaluation: 

              An official course by course credential evaluation of all foreign transcripts indicating that, at minimum, the US equivalent of a bachelor’s degree has been awarded by an accredited college or university is required.

              • Provide Official Transcript(s) & Diploma Copy: A copy of your transcript(s) and diplomas showing a full education history issued in your native language as well as a notarized or certified copy in English must be uploaded to your application.
              • Provide Evidence of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language and you have not completed at least one year of education (minimum of 18 credit hours) at a United States school, you are required to take a standardized English language exam or complete the ECU Language Academy (ECULA).
                • Language Exam Options: The Graduate School accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), the Duolingo English Test or Pearson Test of English (PTE) and scores must be forwarded to the Graduate School by the testing service. The paper- or computer-based TOEFL exam is accepted by request only.
              • ECU Language Academy: You may choose to attend the ECU Language Academy instead of taking the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Also, if you do not obtain the required score on the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, at least one session of the ECU Language Academy may be required prior to the start of your program. Successful completion of all levels of the ECU Language Academy is required for admission without TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores. More information on the ECU Language Academy, including the ECULA application, is available on the Intensive English Program website. Individual programs may have higher minimum requirements.
              • Provide Official Standardized Admissions Test Results: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange for an official score report to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service (GRE or GMAT). ECU’s institutional code is 5180. ECU does not have departmental codes.
              • Upload Statement of Purpose: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your personal statement (why you believe you would be a good candidate for the program) to your application. You may want to use resources to help you write a personal statement in English such as this webinar.
              • Provide Letters of recommendation: If required by the program you’re applying to, please arrange to have LOR’s submitted electronically with the online application. Review your program’s application requirements to determine the number of letters, if any, that they require.
              • Upload Resume: If required by the program you’re applying to, please upload a copy of your most recent resume to your online application.
              • Provide Financial information: If/when you are admitted to a graduate program at ECU you will be required to provide certified evidence of financial resources adequate to cover educational costs and living expenses. Documents only need submitted if/when an offer of admission is extended.

              English Requirements

              • PTEMin 65
              • IELTSMin 6.5
              • TOEFLMin 78

              Career

              Graduates with this degree are successful in many fields and careers, including the following:

              • Biophysics
              • Biochemists
              • Biophysicists
              • Medical Scientists
              • Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
              • Scientific and Technical Services
              • Education and Training

              Career Opportunities

              ECU has developed resources to help you learn more about career opportunities and job market outlook. In addition, the websites below provide specific information on careers in the various majors from which students may choose:

              NC Tower

              This website provides graphs and tables of in-depth information on employment rates, wages and ongoing higher education enrollment of graduates from the North Carolina Community College System and from the University of North Carolina system schools. NC Tower includes data on former UNC students who are working in roughly 90% of all jobs in North Carolina. This database excludes information for graduates who are:

              • Self-employed;
              • Work for the federal government, including the military: or
              • Work outside of North Carolina.

              US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

              This website also provides in-depth information regarding pay, projected new jobs, required education, growth rate and on-the-job training information on various occupations.

              Degree-specific internships

              For information on internship information for specific majors, go to the home page of the department in which the major is located and, as available, find the link to the information on internships in that major.

              Fee Information

              Application Fee 75

              How to Apply

              Thank you for your interest in a graduate program at East Carolina University!

              Contact information for each program, along with their application deadlines, can be found on the Find Your Program feature.

              Ready to apply now? Great!

              • If you have already created an account and/or are applying to multiple programs, please use the same account. After selecting the program of choice, simply login with your credentials.
              • Use a personal email account (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, AOL) when setting up your ECU application account. Please refrain from creating an account using any ECU associated emails because doing so may prevent you from receiving important email communication from us.
              Biomedical Physics
              East Carolina University
              East Carolina University
              United States of America

              United States of America, Greenville

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