Education · 1 of 4

The path

As long as becoming a doctor, with a physics degree instead of medical school.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Top marks in physics, calculus, chemistry and English.

2. 2

   Bachelor's in physics

   4 years

   Or engineering physics. Strong marks, research summers, and comfort with programming.

3. 3

   Accredited graduate degree

   2 to 6 years

   A master's or PhD in medical physics from a CAMPEP (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs) accredited program. Thirteen Canadian universities qualify, including UBC (University of British Columbia), Alberta, Calgary, McGill, Laval, Toronto Metropolitan, Western and Dalhousie. Most clinical jobs expect the PhD.

4. 4

   Residency

   2 years

   Two years of supervised clinical training at a cancer centre. Thirteen accredited programs across Canada, from BC Cancer in Vancouver to the Ottawa Hospital. Positions are few and competitive.

5. 5

   CCPM (Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine) exam

   After residency

   Needs a graduate degree and two years of patient-related physics experience. A written exam in March and an oral exam in May. Recertify every 5 years.