Program Outline
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Associate Degree program prepares students to work as entry-level sonographers in doctors’ offices, medical imaging laboratories and hospitals, and grants successful graduates a two-year college degree. The applied science portion of the program has two major components: the theory/didactic/lab component and the clinical externship component. The general education portion of the program includes coursework in reading, writing, basic math, basic science, psychology, and speech. Emphasis in this portion of the program is placed on enhancing students’ academic and interpersonal skills.
The program has a total of 65 semester credits, with 20 credits in general education and 45 credits in vocational education/program major course work. The curriculum outline is below:
General Education Courses
|
Course Number |
Course Title |
Semester Credits |
|
BIO 101 |
Anatomy & Physiology I |
4 |
|
BIO 102 |
Anatomy & Physiology II |
4 |
|
MAT 103 |
College Algebra |
3 |
|
ENG 101 |
English Composition |
3 |
|
PSY 101 |
General Psychology |
3 |
|
SPC 101 |
Interpersonal Communications |
3 |
|
TOTAL |
20 |
|
Program Major Courses
|
Course Number |
Course Title |
Semester Credits |
|
DMS 101 |
Cross-Sectional Anatomy |
3 |
|
DMS 102 |
Pathology |
3 |
|
DMS 103 |
Clinical Medicine/Patient Care |
2 |
|
DMS 104 |
DMS Medical Law and Ethics |
2 |
|
DMS 105 |
Physics and Instrumentation I |
3 |
|
DMS 106 |
Physics and Instrumentation II |
3 |
|
DMS 200 |
Abdominal Sonography I |
3 |
|
DMS 201 |
Abdominal Sonography II |
3 |
|
DMS 202 |
Obstetric and Gynecological Sonography I |
3 |
|
DMS 203 |
Obstetric and Gynecological Sonography II |
3 |
|
DMS 204 |
Vascular Sonography |
4 |
|
DMS 205 |
Case Study Critique |
2 |
|
DMS 206 |
Sonographic Registry and Review |
2 |
|
DMS 210 |
DMS Clinical |
9 |
|
TOTAL |
45 |
|
TOTAL CREDITS (without elective courses): 65
Length of Program: 2 years
Abbreviations:
BIO – Biological Science MAT – Mathematics
ENG – English PSY – Psychology
SPC – Speech DMS – Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Course Descriptions
ENG 098 Developmental Writing 3 Semester Units/0 Credits
This course reviews the writing process, namely, brainstorming, prewriting, drafting, proofreading, revising, and publishing. Students learn how to write strong sentences, paragraphs, and short essays, with clarity, creativity, and voice.
ENG 099 Developmental Reading 3 Semester Units/0 Credits
This course introduces students to college-level reading strategies, such as identifying main point, summarizing, distinguishing between fact and opinion, making inferences, drawing conclusions, and paraphrasing.
MAT 098 Developmental Math 3 Semester Units/0 Credits
This course covers basic math concepts, including but not limited to percentages, ratios, mathematical expressions, order of operations, simplifying algebraic expressions, and deductive reasoning.
BIO 101 Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Semester Credits
This course explores the structure and function of the human body. It includes the study of cells and tissue, with focus on the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems.
BIO 102 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Semester Credits
This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I. It provides additional study of the structure and function of the human body. It includes study of the nervous system, the endocrine system, the reproductive system, protein synthesis, meiosis and genetics, digestion, anatomy and physiology of the urinary system, fluid and electrolyte balance, and immunity.
Prerequisites: BIO 101
MAT 103 College Algebra 3 Semester Credits
This course covers basic concepts in algebra, including but not limited to equations and inequalities in one variable problems, coordinate geometry and graphing techniques, exponential and logarithmic functions, systems of linear equations in two or more variables, sequences and series, and probability theory.
Prerequisites: MAT 098 Developmental Math or passing of placement exam
ENG 101 English Composition 3 Semester Credits
This course further introduces students to college-level writing and reading skills through critical reading, group analysis, formal essays, and research projects. Proper paragraph and essay structure is emphasized throughout the course.
Prerequisites: ENG 098 and ENG 099 or passing of placement exams
PSY 101 General Psychology 3 Semester Credits
This course introduces students to the scientific discipline of psychology. It addresses cross-cultural issues, historical perspectives, and the importance of psychological well-being, with topics ranging from psychological disorders, therapeutic approaches, and personality, to the biological basis of behavior, learning and memory, development, consciousness, and the social nature of human beings.
SPC 101 Interpersonal Communications 3 Semester Credits
This course is an overview of the process of human communication, with special emphasis on analyzing communication patterns. Students learn skills designed to improve interactions in family, social, and professional settings. The course also addresses effective listening, pacing, attending, making value judgments, summarizing, probing, empathy, handling emotions, perception checking, and conflict management. Hindrances to effective communication are also discussed.
DMS 101 Cross-sectional Anatomy 3 Semester Credits
This course teaches students how to conceptualize the major organs and vessels in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities of the tomographic sections, with exploration of the transverse (axial) sagittal, coronal, and oblique sections. Sections of the neck and brain are also studied. Emphasis is placed on the anatomic relationships between organs commonly scanned by sonography. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102
DMS 102 Pathology 3 Semester Credits
This course centers on study of abdominal, breast, genitourinary, and cardiovascular pathologies and sonographic patterns. Discussion of pediatric, obstetrical and gynecological pathologies takes place. Comparisons are made between normal patterns and pathology appearances through the study of pathophysiology, differential diagnoses, correlation of lab tests, and etiology of congenital abnormalities. Prerequisites: BIO 101 and BIO 102
DMS 103 Clinical Medicine/Patient Care 2 Semester Credits
This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of patient care. It emphasizes concepts of patient assessment, OSHA regulations, aseptic techniques, charting, and respiratory treatment. It also covers examinations and disorders of the eye, ear, and throat. Students are trained to recognize crucial indicators of patient health statuses, such as vital signs and anthropometric measurements.
DMS 104 DMS Medical Law and Ethics 2 Semester Credits
This course introduces students to the legal and ethical implications of working in medical facilities and the obligations of practitioners and office personnel to follow ethical standards and codes of conduct.
DMS 105 Physics and Instrumentation I 3 Semester Credits
This course presents the basic concepts and principles of ultrasound physics as a foundation for understanding image interpretation. Students learn by way of lecture, solving sample problems, and scanning in the student lab. Students review material and take practice exams in preparation for the ARDMS registry examination.
DMS 106 Physics and Instrumentation II 3 Semester Credits
This course is a continuation of Physics for Ultrasound I. It reinforces concepts learned and presents more advanced concepts in ultrasound theory and instrumentation, fluid hemodynamics, color-flow Doppler spectral analysis, and 3 and 4 -D ultrasound. Emphasis is placed on preparing students to pass the ARDMS registry examination. Prerequisites: DMS 105
DMS 200 Abdominal Sonography I 3 Semester Credits
This course introduces the student to sonographic imaging of the abdomen, with focus on relational anatomy of the abdominal organs. Emphasis is placed on the normal sonographic appearance of the abdominal organs and vasculature, along with normal clinical and laboratory findings specific to the system. The course includes examination of the liver, gall bladder and biliary system, pancreas, spleen, aorta, inferior vena cava and kidneys. Lecture time is complemented with hands-on work in the lab. Students actively participate in laboratory scanning, initially observing, then progressively assisting and performing scans under direct supervision of a clinical instructor. Case studies and imaging critique are addressed throughout the semester.
Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, DMS 101 and DMS 102
DMS 201 Abdominal Sonography II 3 Semester Credits
This course is the continuation of Abdominal Sonography I, with emphasis on recognizing pathologic changes on ultrasound scans of organs in the upper abdomen. Also presented is sonographic imaging of small parts, including but not limited to thyroid, breast, scrotum, prostate, musculoskeletal, and pediatric ultrasound. Lecture time is complemented with hands-on work in the lab. Students actively participate in laboratory scanning, initially observing, then progressively assisting and performing under direct supervision of a clinical instructor. Case studies and imaging critique are addressed throughout the semester. Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, DMS 101, DMS 102 and DMS 200
DMS 202 Obstetric and Gynecological Sonography I 3 Semester Credits
This course is designed to familiarize students with the normal physiology of the female reproductive system. Study content includes both normal anatomy and congenital anomalies of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Scanning of first trimester pregnancy is covered using transabdominal (TAS) and transvaginal (TVS) scanning techniques. Evaluation of the viability of the fetus and measuring techniques for gestational dating are emphasized. Students actively practice scanning normal gynecology in the student lab and obstetric scanning in the clinical course. Case studies and imaging critique are addressed throughout the semester.
Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, DMS 101, DMS 102
DMS 203 Obstetric and Gynecological Sonography II 3 Semester Credits
This course is a continuation of OB/GYN Sonography I. It covers more advanced topics, focusing on pathologic conditions as determined by gynecologic/obstetric ultrasound scanning. Students learn to recognize abnormal and/or pathologic sonographic patterns of the uterus and adnexa and to correlate these with patient history and lab values. Normal and abnormal 2nd and 3rd trimester pregnancy are discussed, including fetal number, position, grade, and location of the placenta. Students learn the components of a complete anatomy scan, including the ultrasound appearance of the head, neck, spine, heart, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities. Accurate assessment of gestational age through fetal biometry techniques is covered. Complications of pregnancy are also addressed, including IUGR, congenital syndromes, fetal disorders, multiple gestations, and placental abnormalities. Lectures are complemented with scanning normal gynecology anatomy in the student lab. Active scanning in gynecologic pathology and in obstetrics takes place.
Prerequisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, DMS 101, DMS 102, DMS 202
DMS 204 Vascular Sonography 4 Semester Credits
This course provides students with an understanding of the use of duplex ultrasound to investigate the extra-cranial circulation of the brain and arterial and venous circulation of the upper and lower extremities. Normal and pathological conditions are discussed in correlation with physical and clinical findings. Students actively participate in laboratory scanning in the student lab. Lab sessions include experience and competency testing in vascular sonography. Case studies and imaging critique are addressed throughout the semester. Pre-Requisites: BIO 101, BIO 102, DMS 101, DMS 102, DMS 105, DMS 106
DMS 205 Case Study Critique 2 Semester Credits
This course centers on critical analysis of anatomical variants and normal and pathological sonographic findings in diagnostic sonography case presentations. Attention is paid to imaging technique, positioning, and patient care. Sonographic case studies are presented with procedures discussed in depth. The goal of the case study method is to describe as accurately as possible the fullest, most complete description of the case. Emphasis is placed on effective approaches to generating meaning from qualitative data.
Prerequisites: All DMS courses excluding DMS 206 and DMS 210
DMS 206 Sonographic Registry and Review 2 Semester Credits
This course provides a comprehensive review of material taught throughout the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, in order to prepare students to take the American Registry Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) examinations. Course content is covered in sonographic physics and instrumentation and in the specialties of abdominal/superficial structures, obstetrics/gynecology, and vascular ultrasound in accordance with the published outlines of the ARDMS. Students take practice exams and receive detailed feedback on their work.
Prerequisites: All DMS courses excluding DMS 205 and DMS 210
DMS 210 DMS Clinical 9 Semester Credits
This lab course provides the student with exposure to abdominal, obstetrics-gynecology, and vascular scanning in the clinical setting(s). The clinical setting may be a laboratory in a hospital and/or private office setting. At the start of the semester, students meet for a one-day classroom orientation. During the orientation, students are instructed on professional behavior expected in a lab, including attendance and dress code. Students also receive instruction on how to keep a time log, a case log, case journals, and necessary evaluation forms. At the clinical site(s), students learn to operate ultrasound equipment, perform basic exams under supervision, and interact appropriately as a member of the ultrasound lab. When the student achieves proficiency in obtaining basic images in abdominal, obstetrics-gynecology, and vascular scanning, additional emphasis is placed on integrating patient history into exam objectives, learning how pathologic states manifest themselves, and reporting on findings using differential diagnosis criteria.
Prerequisites: All DMS courses excluding DMS 205 and DMS 206
