Medical Biophysics

Characteristics of the study programme

The study programme is an interdisciplinary branch of science which employs virtually all biological fields and is focused on scientific study and independent research activities in interdisciplinary settings, from natural science up to clinical medical work. This branch of science originated from the need to separate medical applications observing interactions of physical fields and radiation with a living organism from the bulk of technological and biological disciplines.

The learning objective is to understand basic biological processes for the development of innovative methods and/or devices for clinical application in diagnosis and therapy. Doctoral students, building upon the master's education level, are recruited for scientific and research projects at the training institutions and motivated by their supervisors to solve scientific and research problems of their own. In keeping with the recent developments, the programme is also focused on the interconnection of the studies with the needs of clinical practice.

Admission procedure requirement specific to the study programme

The conditions and course of the admission procedure for the part-time form of study are the same as the conditions for the full-time form. 

We recommend to contact your potential supervisor in advance and consult the suitable form of preparation for the interview. Each study programme has its own specifics, so the supervisor can help you to prepare for the specialized entrance examination (the interview).

Topics of dissertation thesis

The candidate chooses the preliminary topic individually and contacts a potential supervisor, or they may use the topics offered – the choice is not limited to these only. He/she consults with him on the chosen topic and agrees on its more precise specification. In case of any ambiguity, we recommend that you also contact the chairman of the SAB. If necessary, he/she can recommend that he/she consult the topic with another specialist according to the focus of the intended project.

If the candidate does not know which topic/supervisor to choose, he/she will contact the chairman of the SAB, with whom he/she will consult on a suitable topic and a potential supervisor.

This choice is preliminary, the admissions board may, after consultation with the candidate, nominate another supervisor.

Dissertation topic offered

Supervisors of the study programme

Each supervisor must be approved by the SAB. The criteria for admitting new supervisors are determined by the SAB. If the proposed supervisor has not yet been approved by the SAB, this must be done no later than the enrollment of the applicant in the study (provided that the applicant is accepted). You can find a list of supervisors approved by the SAB here. After clicking, the supervisor's workplace and contact information will be displayed.

Study requirements

Study obligations for full-time and part-time forms of study are the same.

• The ISP of the studentis  designed by the supervisor and the guarantor of the study programme.
• Part of the ISP is the completion of three to four semestral courses (four courses are recommended) and the language preparation proven by the language examination or language certificate. 
• The Dean's Provision no. 2/2024 states that all students should attend the faculty Scientific conference in the 4th year (and also again in the 6th and 8th year if the student extends their studies).

The semestral courses are chosen from the list of optional doctoral courses for the program Medical Biophysics, taking into account the topic of the thesis and the student's previous education. If allowed by the supervisor and the SAB, the student can also choose courses from other study programmes. A maximum of two subjects can be chosen from the pre-graduate study course list if the doctor can apply them and did not complete them during his/her master study programme.

Part of the ISP is a regular publication activity and the presentation of the output of the research project at both national and international scientific conferences. Active participation as a tutor in the pre-graduate tuition (seminars, clinical rotations) is recommended.

Requirements for internships

A stay abroad at a relevant professional institution, not shorter than one month, or participation in an international research project. In special and clearly justifiable cases, such as exceptional scientific results or a single excellent first-author publication, the SAB can decide whether the student can omit the placement.

Listed courses

B90087 Biophysical methods in medicine
B90215 Practical Medical Physics and Technology for the Leksell Gamma Knife Radiosurgery
B90249 Imaging methods and systems in medicine

Requirements for the SDE

Requirements for admission to the SDE: successful completion of the study obligations and the English language examination (examination at the Department of Languages of Second Faculty of Medicine CU, state language examination or an internationally recognized exam, e.g. TOEFL, Cambridge certificate).

The objective of the SDE is to check the student’s way of scientific thought, i.e. his/her ability to comprehend the nature of the problem, including the ability to conceive own ways of solving the given problems. At the SDE, the students are supposed to prove their knowledge of their chosen field to the full extent of the undergraduate level but also the knowledge of trends in research and modern methodology of recent biomedicine as applied to the topic area of their dissertation theses.

Examination topics for the SDE

At least two original papers in a journal with an IF that are related to the topic of the dissertation and have a cumulative impact factor of at least 1,0. For at least one of the publications, the student must be the first author.

Defence requirements​

• Fulfilment of all the above-mentioned study requirements, including the completion of the SDE.
• Publication of at least two publications connected to the topic of the thesis and published in an internationally recognized journal with IF (Web of Science). At least in one of them the applicant should be shown as the first author.
• The SAB requires 5 printouts of the Summary of the Dissertation as well as 4 copies of printed dissertation bound in hardback.

Dissertation defence

This is a comprehensive scientific paper with a precise definition of the original results and citation of all sources. A minimum of two original papers accepted for publication in journals with an impact factor is a prerequisite for submission of the dissertation. The dissertation shall be submitted to the Chairman of the SAB, either in the classical form or in the form of a monothematic set of at least five scientific publications, accompanied by a common introduction, discussion and summary. A Summary of the Dissertation in English shall be submitted together with the dissertation.

The course of the defence

The applicant presents the topic of his research. A discussion regarding the research and the dissertation thesis follows. The examination board will ask the student four questions from the above list.

Profile of a graduate of the study programme

The study programme is an interdisciplinary branch making use of cooperation within the framework of basic science research in biology and medical clinical practice. Student education is focused on the relation between physics and medicine. Attention is paid to the knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic methods, studies of physical processes on biological membranes, mathematical modelling of biological processes, biomechanics, biosignals, and also the biophysical effects of electromagnetic radiation.

Information about graduate employment 

Graduates will be able to work not only in traditional scientific workplaces such as research institutes or universities, but also in clinical workplaces, research teams at universities and hospitals. In view of the increase in technology in medicine, involvement in international research teams focused on medical physics at clinical sites, especially at university and regional hospitals, can also be expected.