Sonography - Course Catalog

Quarter 1 Fall

DMS 100: Introduction to Sonography

The purpose of this course is to give the students exposure to the basic techniques and skills for patient care in a clinical environment to include the sonographer’s responsibilities to the patient, infection control, isolation techniques, medical and surgical asepsis, monitoring vital signs, proper body mechanics, responding to medical emergencies, care of patients with special problems, patient confidentiality, and legal issues in sonography. This course also serves as an introduction to the clinical rotation; the laboratory portion of this course includes a scheduled observation at an ultrasound department of an affiliated Clinical Education Center.

DMS 101: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation I

This course explores the theoretical and abstract principles that form the technological basis of diagnostic medical sonography. Topics will include elementary principles of sound, sound propagation, pulse-echo instrumentation, image formation, transducers, and system operation. Throughout this course, these theoretical concepts will be presented in a manner that emphasizes practical clinical applications.

DMS 102: Abdominal Sonography I

This course is an in-depth study of abdominal ultrasound of the Gastrointestinal System including cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology. The sonographic appearance of normal anatomical structures of the peritoneum and retroperitoneum will be studied. The sonographically significant abnormalities affecting the abdomen along with their clinical and sonographic presentation are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of clinical tests and basic scanning techniques relative to the development of a differential diagnosis. The laboratory course offers beginning sonography students hands-on and experiential learning in the basics of selected sonographic examination techniques. Under direct supervision of faculty and affiliate clinical preceptors, students will apply the didactic information presented in the classroom to the laboratory setting.

Quarter 2 Winter

DMS 200: Critical Thinking I

This course is designed introduce the students to the art of differential diagnosis. Students will learn to apply what they are studying to situations in the clinical environment and will have the opportunity to practice differential diagnosis skills through the presentation of case studies.

DMS 201: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II

This course continues exploring the theoretical and abstract principles that form the technological basis of diagnostic medical sonography. Topics will include, Doppler physics and instrumentation, artifacts, quality assurance, and bioeffects.

DMS 202: Abdominal Sonography II

This course is an in-depth study of the genito-urinary system and retroperitoneal structure including cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology. The sonographic appearance of abnormalities that affect the anatomical structures of the peritoneum and retroperitoneum will be studied. The sonographically significant abnormalities affecting the abdomen along with their clinical and sonographic presentation are also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of clinical tests and basic scanning techniques relative to the development of a different diagnosis. The laboratory course offers beginning sonography students hands-on and experiential learning in the basics of selected sonographic examinations with emphasis on pathology and their sonographic appearances. Under direct supervision of faculty and affiliate clinical preceptors, students will apply the didactic information presented in the classroom to the laboratory setting.

DMS 203: Clinical Education I

This course is a supervised clinical experience and practice designed to introduce the student to the diagnostic ultrasound department. Students will be introduced to administrative functions within the department, basic equipment operation and general scanning techniques. Students will observe, assist, and practice scanning organ systems and landmarks found in the normal abdomen and pelvis. Rudimentary fine motor skills will be developed to form a foundation for advanced scanning practice. Emphasis will be placed on normal anatomy of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal organs as depicted by grayscale imaging, landmark recognition, and scanning through the viscera completely in long and transverse axes.

Quarter 3 Spring

DMS 300: Critical Thinking II

This course is designed strengthen the students' understanding of differential diagnosis in Sonography. Students will learn to apply what they are studying to situations in the clinical environment and will have the opportunity to practice differential diagnosis skills through the presentation of case studies.

DMS 301: OB/Gyn Sonography I

This course is a study of the principles and practices of diagnostic medical sonography in gynecology and first trimester obstetrics. Normal female pelvic anatomy and physiology is presented and correlated with sectional and real-time sonographic imaging. Ovarian, uterine, adnexal and associated pathologic conditions are discussed along with the common clinical and sonographic findings and imaging approaches associated with each condition. A strong emphasis is placed on the normal physiology of the menstrual cycle as well as physical, endocrinological and clinical changes that occur in early pregnancy and in the postmenopausal patient. Sonographic and clinical considerations of the first trimester pregnancy are considered as well as first trimester pregnancy complications.

DMS 302: Clinical Education II

This course continues clinical education in a diagnostic ultrasound department of an affiliated Clinical Education Center. Students will continue to observe, assist, and practice scanning organ systems and landmarks found in the normal abdomen and pelvis. Emphasis will be place on identifying standard imaging protocols of the clinical education center.

Quarter 4 Summer

DMS 400: Selected Topics

This course is a study of miscellaneous topics to include the sonographic evaluation of superficial structures such as the thyroid and parathyroid glands, breast, testicles, and prostate gland. An introduction to neurosonology and ultrasound guided interventional procedures will also be presented.

DMS 401: OB/Gyn Sonography II

This course is an in-depth study of the role of the use of sonography during pregnancy. Students are provided extensive didactic instruction in the development of comprehensive sonographic examination protocol for second and third trimester obstetrics following AIUM guidelines. Sonographic evaluation of infertility and patients with a multifetal gestation will be discussed. Extensive didactic instruction will be provided in fetal biometric measurements and the evaluation of fetal growth. The normal anatomy and physiology of the placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid, fetal face and neck are presented along with the sonographic evaluation of pathological conditions affecting these structures.

DMS 402: Clinical Education III

This course continues clinical education in an ultrasound department of an affiliated Clinical Education Center. Basic normal anatomy depiction and abnormal anatomy recognition will be emphasized. Students will practice the scanning protocols established at their clinical site and will develop confidence in performing abdominal, obstetrical, and gynecological, and superficial structure ultrasound examinations.

Quarter 5 Fall

DMS 500: Introduction to Vascular Sonography

This course is designed to introduce the students to basic vascular evaluation techniques including ankle-brachial indexes (ABI), arterial vs. venous scanning, and basic protocols for carotid artery, duplex evaluation of the upper and lower extremities, upper and lower extremity venous Doppler protocols, and vein mapping.

DMS 501: OB/GYN Sonography III

This course is an advanced study of the sonographic evaluation of fetal pathologic processes, including anomalies/abnormalities affecting the fetal neural axis, musculoskeletal system, thorax and heart, abdomen and abdominal wall, and genitourinary system. Advanced gestational dating methods and the evaluation of fetal well-being will also be discussed.

DMS 502: Clinical Education IV

This course continues clinical education in an ultrasound department of an affiliated Clinical Education Center. Basic normal anatomy depiction and abnormal anatomy recognition will be emphasized. Students will practice the scanning protocols established at their clinical sites and will develop confidence in performing abdominal, obstetrical, and gynecological, and superficial structure ultrasound examinations.

Quarter 6 Winter

DMS 600: Advanced Physics

This course is designed to prepare the graduating student for the Physics specialty examination administered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer's. The entire Physics curriculum, as pertinent to the Registry, will be presented and reviewed. Test preparation techniques will be presented and students will be given the opportunity to practice these techniques during mock registry quizzes. The review will conclude with a full-scale mock Registry examination.

DMS 601: Advanced Abdomen

This comprehensive course is designed as a review of the principles and practices of diagnostic medical abdominal sonography. This course will aid the students’ understanding of the ARDMS examination content for abdomen, identification of student’s weak areas, provide guidelines for independent study and will provide a general review of all examination content areas.

DMS 602: Advanced OB/Gyn

This comprehensive course is designed as a review of the principles and practices of diagnostic medical sonography in obstetrics and gynecology. The course will aid the students’ understanding of the ARDMS examination content for OB/GYN, identify of the students’ weak areas, provide guidelines for independent study and will provide a general review of all examination content areas.

DMS 603: Clinical Education V

This course is a supervised clinical experience and practice designed to continue the students' development of ultrasound scanning skills and techniques. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to perform required daily tasks in obstetrical, gynecological, and abdominal ultrasound examinations as an entry-level diagnostic medical sonographer