Grace Van Ness and Ralf Widenhorn Portland State University Contact: or

Pre-medical education American pre-medical course requirements include one year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics. Most pre-med students choose algebra-based physics, however, since other majors also take this class it does not exclusively focus on material relevant to pre-health professionals, such as MRI, X-rays, PET scans, ultrasound imaging, radiation treatment, and lasers. Out of 50 students, 70% of the Portland State University (PSU) algebra-based physics students in 2007 stated that they were interested in an elective physics in medicine course.

PSU’s Physics in Medicine Collaboration of an interdisciplinary and inter- institutional network of medical professionals, physics educators, scientists, and medical physicists Colleagues from PSU’s Physics and Chemistry Departments, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), and medical professionals from private medical institutions

Course Structure A single term medical physics course at PSU that is open to pre-health, biomedical physics majors, and other interested students who have completed one academic year of general physics. Textbook: Physics in Modern Medicine, by Suzanne Amador Kane Hosts students annually Focus on these topics: Electrocardiography (EKG) Endoscopy Laser eye surgery Ultrasound imaging X-ray imaging and X-ray computed tomography (CT scan) Positron emission tomography (PET) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Class Activities Guest lectures Reading Discussions Homework In-class hands on activities OMSI poster presentation

Results Out of 34 students completing student evaluations in : the majority (88%) stated that they enjoyed the course. 56% of students felt that they gained a better understanding of physics concepts 50% felt less apprehensive about enrolling in additional physics courses 56% would read physics-related books after completion of the course

Conclusions Course stresses community engagement for the benefit of student learning The Physics in Medicine course addresses a gap in the limited number of intermediate-level algebra-based physics courses and is of particular interest to pre- medicine majors. The course also provides a coherent connection between pre-medical general physics and applied medical technologies of clinical medicine.

Physics in Medicine: 2009 cohort