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PHYS 383Medical Physics

Units
0.50
Faculty
Science
Subject
Physics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Applications of physics in medicine. The course will address basic concepts of medical imaging, nuclear medicine and radiation isotopes, radiation therapy and biomedical laser applications. Nuclear structure and binding energy. Nuclear decays, radioactivity and nuclear reactions. Interaction of radiation with matter.

Prerequisites

  • Complete all of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • BIOL280 - Introduction to Biophysics (0.50)
      • PHYS280 - Introduction to Biophysics (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • MATH118 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
      • MATH119 - Calculus 2 for Engineering (0.50)
      • MATH128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences (0.50)
      • MATH138 - Calculus 2 for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
      • MATH148 - Calculus 2 (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Winter 2027 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 00169730 / 35MW 14:30–15:50
LEC 701260733 / 9999Online or by arrangement

Reviewed on UW Flow

80% liked it88% easy100% useful

From 5 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Pretty easy class. Just make sure you come to class, especially so you can form your group for assignment 1. 50% exam, 50% assignments. Final exam was online and all multiple choice. The assignments were pretty easy as well. Lectures were okay, good if you are interested in medical Physics. This class pairs decently well with PHYS 396 too.

    Apr 2025 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • This course is very practical, taught by medical physicists from GRH. It is very very dry and rather disorganized tho. The assignments are easy, but the final can be a bit tricky

    Mar 2022 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this

  • as long as you come to class all the assignments and quizzes are really easy

    Feb 2016 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

2 posts and comments in 2 threads mention PHYS 383, January 2021 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Winter 2023

Winter 2021

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar