Biomedical Physics

A graduate of the 1st degree of university studies in the combined study program Biomedical Physics (1BMF) can be briefly characterized as a physicist whose personal and professional interest extends into medicine. Biomedical physics does not mean the substitution of the Faculty of Medicine, but it is a full-fledged branch of physics studies, where the emphasis is on the connection between teaching and research.

By completing the bachelor's degree, the student will gain basic knowledge of the whole spectrum of physical and mathematical disciplines in the main field of study physics (F) and master the basics of theoretical subjects of the additional study of General Medicine (GM), which are supplemented by selected preclinical subjects. In the main field F, the 1BMF graduate will receive a comprehensive university education in the basic course of physics and mathematics, which is supplemented by specialized subjects related to the physical mechanisms of processes in the human body, basics of biomedical physics and biostatistics. According to personal preferences, the student specializes in the basics of radiation physics and radiation protection, laboratory methods in biomedicine, medical devices, or subjects focused on programming, processing and / or modeling of biophysical, biomedical and medical data. After completing physical practices, the graduate is able to combine the acquired theoretical knowledge of the physical principles of basic experimental methods with practical knowledge and skills, which relate both to training in operating and operating instruments and equipment standardly used in laboratories, and interpretation and evaluation of outputs. Since one of the basic characteristics of a graduate of the subject field of Biomedical Physics is a physicist who applies physical knowledge in medicine, the graduate will receive education regarding the principles, operation and data outputs of medical devices, largely directly at workplaces. In the additional study of GM will acquire solid theoretical knowledge of general nature from anatomy and morphology from the microscopic to the organ level, get acquainted with the general physiology and function of individual organs of the human body, know the basics of medical biology, chemistry, biochemistry, etc. to the extent necessary for understanding the physiological and pathological processes in the human body. The general knowledge and skills of the graduate include knowledge of a foreign language, computer skills and independent use of professional literature in Slovak and English. The practical skills of the graduate are also strengthened by completing courses related to project preparation and implementation of the bachelor's thesis. The content focus of bachelor's theses mainly covers the application of physical and mathematical methods in the field of solving medical problems. Under the supervision of the supervisor, the student designs and implements a research project, statistically evaluates, processes and interprets the obtained data. When designing methods and approaches, the graduate is aware of the time perspective and available resources, as well as ethical, legal and environmental aspects of the proposed solution to the problem. During their studies, students of biomedical physics are encouraged to present the results of final rights projects in professional forums such as the Student Scientific Conference, the Interactive Conference of Young Scientists - PREVEDA, events of the Slovak Biophysical Society and others.

A 1BMF graduate is able to actively participate in an interdisciplinary research team. By combining the subjects of biophysics of medicine, the graduate appropriately combines knowledge of physical laws important for basic biological processes and the action of physical factors on biological systems with knowledge of the principles of human systems and knowledge of complex functional relationships between systems at different levels. This reduces, among other things, the risk of errors that arise when working in border departments as a result of the underestimation of the biological or physical part of the issue.

The BMF study programme represented by the study plan considers the mission and goals set by the FMFI UK in the field of science and research and especially in the field of education (stated in the Long-term plan of the faculty).

The study programme was created with the ambitious intention of offering basic education in a unique combination of two disciplines of physics and general medicine to offer graduates for positions requiring an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving. The study programme was created, modified and innovated on the basis of identified practice needs and in accordance with the latest trends in basic and applied biomedical research, as well as in material and technical health care, including staffing of physicists and clinical physicists (European Federation of Organizations for Medical Physics (EFOMP) Policy Statement 12.1: Recommendations on Medical Physics Education and Training in Europe 2014).

With the bachelor's thesis, the student has to demonstrate the ability to independently acquire theoretical and practical knowledge and use them. The final thesis will be prepared by the student under the guidance of the thesis supervisor. The supervisor of the final thesis will prepare a written report on the final thesis and propose its evaluation. The final work is assessed by the opponent. The opponent will prepare a written report on the final thesis and propose its evaluation.

Examples of successful final theses of our students  (only in Slovak language):

• Využitie DNA a RNA aptamérov na cielenú medicínsku terapiu (Katarína Macková, 2012)
• Magnetické nanoštruktúry ako cielené prenášače liečiv v terapiii reumatoidnej artritídy (Samuel Hollý, 2013) 
• Molekulárne ciele pôsobenia plazmy na mutanty kvasiniek (Lucia Pakosová, 2013)
• Sledovanie zmien fluorescencie moču spôsobených rakovinou močového mechúra (Katarína Kolníková, 2014)
• Bezdrôtové monitorovanie fyziologických premenných (Petra Štolcová, 2015)

Given the existing traditions in the education system in Slovakia, most graduates of the bachelor's ambition have to continue in the second level of higher education on a follow-up or related master's degree program and in recent years on similar programs abroad. Nevertheless, this bachelor's study is designed so that its graduates can also find direct application in practice. The following may apply:

1. in positions in research, development, clinical or commercial laboratories where it is necessary to combine knowledge of physics and physical principles and processes taking place in living systems, with knowledge of the structure, structure and function of the human body,
2. in positions in state administration and insurance companies, where it is desirable to combine analytical thinking and skills in the collection and processing of biomedical and health data with an understanding of their origin and nature for decision-making and / or drawing conclusions and contexts (Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic, National Health Information Center),
3. in positions focused on the classification, assessment, and processing of the latest findings of biophysical, biomedical and epidemiological research (e.g. public health offices),
4. in positions where the combination of interdisciplinary knowledge with communication skills is preferred for competent reporting of the latest knowledge of biophysical, biomedical and epidemiological research (eg companies distributing medical devices and medical supplies, pharmaceutical companies)

The graduate is, thanks to the education focused on both system and analytical thinking, able to further develop the acquired knowledge and skills in practice in the chosen specialization; takes care of its own professional growth and accepts and supports lifelong learning in its field.