Current News Archive

S.Y. Chen, Program Director

The Illinois Institute of Technology (Illinois Tech) professional master of health physics program is proud to announce the launch of the new academic track in Radiological Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Response. Following the addition of the Radiochemistry track in 2018, the new curriculum further expands the program to reach a new frontier that addresses the nation's critical needs in homeland protection, nuclear threats, and accidents. Illinois Tech is one of the first universities in the United States to offer such a degree.

The new academic track expands Illinois Tech's well-established master of health physics program to address radiological security and emergency areas. The specialization is based on the core health physics curriculum with the addition of three new innovative courses in (1) radiological source security and management, (2) nuclear emergency preparedness and response, and (3) seminars led by experts on field management of radiological emergencies.

In addition, the curriculum addresses the qualification requirements for the Department of Homeland Security's Radiological Operations Support Specialist (ROSS) Program. Graduates of the program will be ready to support the ROSS qualifications necessary to exhibit technical leadership in homeland protection, be rapidly deployed in emergencies, communicate recommendations to all concerned municipal entities, be familiar with state and federal agency protocol, and be integrated into incident command.

Applications open soon for the Radiological Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Response track, launching this fall semester, 2019. For questions about the Master of Health Physics degree or specializations in Radiochemistry or Radiological Security, Emergency Preparedness, and Response, contact program director, S.Y. Chen, PhD, by email or phone (312-567-3145).