PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Overview
The Medical Physics Research Training Network is built on top of existing successful CAMPEP-accredited medical physics academic programs (McGill and U. Laval). It provides resources in the training of undergraduate, M.Sc. graduate, Ph.D. graduate and Post-Doctoral scholars. As is clear from the diagram, the MPRTN resources are spent in the basic training of future medical physics innovators and medical physics clinical scientists.

Overview of the role of the Medical Physics Research Training Network in the CAMPEP Medical Physics training program structure.

The strengthening of the basic training of medical physics innovators is achieved through different means that are consistent with the mission of the medical physics research training network.
The educational objectives of the program are:

  •  Independent research skills
  •  Clinical knowledge for medical physics research
  •  Industry and government job readiness skills
  •  Mobility and internships
  •  Professional life skills

These educational objectives are achieved through a variety of activities and courses organized by the network. These consist of (1) supervision by a peer-review-funded MPRTN PI and/or collaborator; (2) structured research meetings with multidisciplinary staff; (3) weekly journal clubs; (4) grantsman-ship & writing skill training; (5) study protocol (animal & human) development training according to ethics requirements; (6) research ethics & research misconduct training; (7) authorship & academic integrity; (8) conflict of interest management; (9) patenting & intellectual property. The network also features new graduate courses (see Courses) and an annual workshop (see Workshop) to help achieve its objectives.

Graduation from the Medical Physics Research Training Network not only fulfills CAMPEP requirements but also prepares fellows much better for a broader set of job challenges in a more complex medical physics job market.

Admission
As indicated in the diagram the network can be joined through different access points. The most common access point is through the M.Sc. (via point A after undergraduate) and Ph.D. (via point A, after M.Sc. or via point B). These access points are through the CAMPEP programs at either McGill or Université Laval. The admission requirements for these programs can be found at http://www.mcgill.ca/medphys/ medphys and http://physmed.fsg.ulaval.ca, respectively. The network can also be accessed through post-doctoral training via point C. The MPRTN network also offers support to undergraduate project students (access point A). Through this method students can probe their interest in medical physics research and PIs in the network can entice excellent candidates to commence medical physics studies through the M.Sc. & Ph.D. programs. Students in medical physics accepted through the McGill MPU program or the Laval U MPRG program must apply to the CREATE MPRTN program by completing a Nomination Application form . The condition for acceptance of a nomination is (1) the supervisor or co-supervisor of the student is a CREATE PI; (2) the supervisor or co-supervisor contributes at least 50% to the stipend of the student; (3) the student has an excellent to outstanding academic track record. The MPRTN Management Committee decides over acceptance into the network based on the nomination application and the complete student academic record.