Medical physics encompasses many sub-disciplines concerned with controlling, measuring, and tracking radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Medical physicists are physicians trained to deal with issues in these sub-disciplines. These practices are grouped into two main areas: diagnostic imaging procedures (such as magnetic resonance imaging) and radiation therapy used for cancer treatment. Medical physics is governed internationally by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP), which has a set of voluntary guidelines known as the IUPAP Transfer Module (ITM) on "Medical Physics". In addition to the educational aspects of its role, a medical physics department can provide valuable community and professional services. These may include the provision of biological or physical measurements, such as in vitro tests for dose-rate effectiveness or quality assurance assessments of therapeutic systems; radiation protection or safety evaluations; and consultancy on topics such as risk assessment, the use of radionuclides in therapy, and the dose coverage attainable at different positions within a body for external beam radiotherapy—the M.Sc. Medical Physics or Master of Science in Medical Physics is a postgraduate course. The program's main objective is to prepare candidates to become active in the most challenging area of the life sciences field through education, research and clinical practice. The Program aims to give knowledge of physics at a level that makes graduates competent to apply physics and related concepts and principles to medical problems encountered in medicine, dentistry, and health sciences. M.Sc. Medical Physics or M. Sc Medical Physics is an essential qualification for a Medical Physicist/Medical Physicist Assistant and in medical diagnostic imaging, radiation therapy and radiotherapy departments.

They should have occupational skills involving the ability to investigate and report with an understanding of the scientific method, communication with others within and outside the laboratory, teamwork in addition to physics and mathematics concepts. Some of the highly reputed colleges in India for MSc Medical Physics are Anna University in Chennai, Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, Saveetha Medical College in Chennai. The successful candidate will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which allows for establishing and maintaining patient confidence and trust. They will also demonstrate an ability to assess a wide variety of complaints through history-taking procedures and will possess outstanding clerical, organisational, diagnostic, decision making and problem-solving skills.

The eligibility criterion for this course typically includes scores of the candidates in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Medical physics programs may also require candidates to sit for additional tests. The Medical Physics Programme is a single-degree programme that includes various courses like Engineering Physics, Optics and Communication, Radiation Biology, Mathematics and Biomedical Electronics, giving a holistic education in Medical Physics. It is well suited for aspirants who wish to use their knowledge in solving medical problems. The Programme will take four years to complete. Qualified Medical Physicists are required to establish radiotherapy centres by AERB norms. They are also needed for diagnostic procedures in X-ray, MRI, CT scan and fluoroscopic centres. The Bachelor of Science course in Medical Physics is specially designed to take care of the educational needs of this expert group of professionals.