Master of Physics (MPhys)

MPhys Physics

Join a physics Department of international renown that offers great choice and flexibility, leading to master's qualification.

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F305 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £36,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .

Course unit details:
Laser Photomedicine

Course unit fact file
Unit code PHYS40631
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Laser Photomedicine

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics PHYS20101 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Electromagnetism PHYS20141 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Mathematics of Waves and Fields PHYS20171 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Wave Optics PHYS20312 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

This course introduces students to the physics of medical lasers and light, including light tissue interactions; the properties of lasers and light, and delivery systems that are beneficial in medical applications; how light is utilised for imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic medical applications; and reviews selected medical applications.

Learning outcomes

On completion successful students will be able to:


1. Classify and describe the mechanisms associated with the interaction of light with tissue;
2. Explain the relevant properties of lasers and light delivery systems for applications in medicine;
3. Compare imaging, optical diagnostic and therapeutic applications in medicine and predict which are most appropriate for applications;
4. Discuss selected applications of lasers and optical techniques which are presently important in medicine

Syllabus

1.  Basic Tissue Optics and Laser Radiation – Tissue Interaction
Photochemical
Photothermal
Photomechanical
Photoablative

2. Medical Laser and Delivery Systems
Technology of medical lasers and alternative light sources
Laser radiation characteristics
Light delivery systems
 
3. Diagnostic Techniques and Applications
Conventional, confocal and two-photon microscopy
Raman spectroscopy
Optical coherence tomography, laser Doppler, photoacoustic imaging
Optical tweezers for particle trapping
Tissue identification by optical, spectroscopic and imaging techniques

4.  Selected Medical Application
Laser surgery and microsurgery
Photomechanical applications in ophthalmology, lithotripsy
Photodynamic therapy
Selected applications in dermatology, ophthalmology, urology and dentistry.
 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be offered via comments on Blackboard for the continuously assessed elements of the unit. 

Recommended reading

Katzir, A., Lasers and Optical Fibers in Medicine, (Academic 1993)

Waynant, R.W., Lasers in Medicine, (CRC Press 2001)

 

Useful references

Niemz, M.H. Laser-Tissue Interactions, (Springer 1996)

Welch, A.J. & van Gemert, M.J.C. Optical-Thermal Response of Laser-Irradiated Tissue, (Plenum 1995)

Optical Radiation Techniques in Medicine and Biology in Physics in Medicine and Biology, vol. 42, No. 5, May 1997

To be supplemented by further recommended texts.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 1
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 75

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Mark Dickinson Unit coordinator

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