Answer to Question #936 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Q

I want to know more about health physics.

A

Health Physics is an interdisciplinary science dedicated to promoting the practice of radiation safety. It combines the elements of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and electronic instrumentation. As a profession, health physics is taught in many universities around the world. Degrees will range from a four-year BS to a PhD. Most professional-level health physicists have an MS degree, although it is not required in many work situations.

Information about health physics as a career and salary information can be found at our Careers in Health Physics page. For a list of universities offering health physics degrees, see our Health Physics Education Reference Book.

Many professional-level health physicists also go on to be certified, a designation that shows a professional level of achievement. Information on the organization of certified health physicists can be found on the American Academy of Health Physics Web site.

The HPS also publishes a scientific journal, called Health Physics. You can visit this Journal Web site and read some of the abstracts to get a better idea of some of the research going on in health physics.

The Radiation Information Network Web site is also a good source of information on health physics along with various related professions like medical physics, radiation biology, nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, and radiology. The site also provides good information on radiation itself. I hope this helps with your understanding of health physics.

Bruce Busby, RSO
Genentech