Radiation Biology

Those students interested in the Radiation Therapy clinical track will require a separate application process and approval from the Medical Science Committee (consisting of MGH staff and Suffolk faculty). For these students, additional courses and training will be required in our clinical sites. Students selected for the clinical track must have and maintain a minimum 2.8 grade point average. The department reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student from the clinical track if, in its estimation, the probability of the student’s success is doubtful. Factors such as academic performance, interest, effort and suitability for the field will factor into the committee’s decision. A student may be dismissed from the clinical track if he/she achieve a final grade lower than a C+ in any of the following core course:

• Anatomy and Physiology I, II
• And/or Any MS Course or Lab

If admitted into the clinical track, part-time and full-time students must complete core clinical requirements within three years of being admitted. Upon completion of the Radiation Biology clinical track the students will be eligible to take the certification exam for radiation therapy.

Please be aware that the Radiation Biology clinical track requires more than the normal 122 credit hours for completion.

Clinical Track/Radiation Biology

In addition to University requirements for all majors, radiation biology majors must complete courses in the following subject areas:

• Principles of Cancer Management
• Majors’ Biology I and Laboratory
• Anatomy & Physiology and Laboratory
• Biostatistics
• Cell Biology
• General Chemistry I, II and Laboratories
• Introduction to Computer Programming
• Calculus for Life Sciences
• College Physics I, II and Laboratories
• Radiation Physics I, with Lab
• Radiation Physics II
• Radiation Biology
• Radiology For Radiation Therapy
• Radiation Oncology and Pathology
• Introduction to Clinical Radiation Laboratory
• Clinical Radiation I, II, III
• Clinical Radiation Laboratories I, II, III
• Clinical Dosimetry & Laboratory
• Summer Practicum
• Scientific Writing & Reporting

Non-Clinical Track/Radiation Biology

Students choosing to pursue the radiation biology non-clinical track will complete a course of study similar to the radiation biology clinical track, but will not be required to complete any clinical labs or practicum at MGH. Additional courses in Biophysics, Organic Chemistry, and 12 credit hours of Major Electives (to be determined by the student and his/her advisor) will be required.

Pre Med Majors

Additionally, these programs provides an excellent background for students interested in medical school. Some courses and laboratories will be taught at MGH, but most courses and laboratories will be on campus at Suffolk University, which is only a few short blocks away from MGH.