With the increasing use of radiation and radioactive material in society, there is a growing need for entry-level health physicists in Radiological Sciences and Protection.

B.S. in Physics - Radiological Health Physics Option

Overview 

UMass Lowell offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Physics - Radiological Health Physics Option to prepare students for careers as health physicists in Radiological Sciences and Protection. The degree program includes the study of: 

  • Natural and man-made radiation sources 
  • Distribution of radioactivity in the environment 
  • Radiation detection and measurement 
  • Radiation shielding 
  • Exposure pathways 
  • Metabolism of radioactive substances 
  • Effects of radiation on the human body 

Courses You’ll Take 

Take a core of basic courses in physics alongside training in radiological sciences. 

Sample courses include:

  • Introduction to Radiological Sciences
  • Nuclear Instrumentation
  • Radiation Safety and Control 1 & 2

Visit the Courses for Radiological Health Physics Option page for a recommended course of study.

Learn more about the B.S. in Physics

Bachelor’s to Master's Program

Earn a Bachelor’s to Master’s degree in Radiological Sciences and Protection in as little as 5 years. The benefits of enrolling in the BS/MS Program are the ability to earn and transfer credits from the B.S. to the M.S. degree, earn M.S. credits, and the application fee is waived. 

For a complete list of academic requirements and program courses, please visit the Academic Catalog. 

Learn more about the Bachelor's-to-Master's Programs 

Why study Radiological Sciences at UMass Lowell?

Student working in reactor.

Scholarship Opportunities

We award roughly $30,000 per year in scholarships, directly for Radiological Sciences students.

Student using remote manipulators in the reactor hot cell

Advance your skills and earn income through paid experiential learning through our laboratories or external partners.

UMass Lowell's quantitative radio chemistry lab set up for analytical and separations chemistry

Advanced Radiation Research Assets

Various opportunities for research and professional development are possible through the use of our research assets.

  • 1 million watt nuclear reactor 
  • 5.5 million volt particle accelerator 
  • Nuclear forensics and radiochemistry facility 
  • Radiation imaging suite 
  • Neutron activation analysis lab 
Chemical/Nuclear Engineering student working in reactor.

Workforce Shortages

Over the last few decades the Radiological Sciences field has seen a drastic decline of the workforce while the use of radiation continues to increase.

This has resulted in many opportunities for our trained Health Physicists working in the radiation protection sectors across the globe.

Career Outcomes

Our graduates at all degree levels typically are offered a good-to-great paying job upon graduation or even before they graduate.

  • B.S. starting salaries: $50K-90K
  • M.S. starting salaries: $60K-130K 
Student working around the reactor smiling

Our graduates are employed as radiation safety professionals in: 

  • National laboratories
  • Radiopharmaceuticals production
  • Universities
  • Hospitals
  • Government agencies
  • Carbon-free clean energy production 
  • Biotech and other industries 
  • Consulting firms

Contact Us

For more information, please contact: 

Mark A. Tries
Associate Professor, Coordinator - Radiological Sciences
978-934-3353
Mark_Tries@uml.edu