CURRICULUM
The curriculum in the Bachelor of Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will provide you with the basis to become a leader in the field of sonography. Knowledge gained through your Bachelor’s degree can help you move into a management position, gain more insight into an area of specialization, learn about emerging technology trends and become a better overall sonographer.
Students in the program learn from skilled practitioners who have mastered the latest in techniques, technology, patient care, and equipment. After completing your degree you can be on the forefront in your field.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS (61 credits)
| General Education Requirements (27 credits) | |
|---|---|
| †DBIO 144 | Sectional Anatomy (3 credits) |
| DSTA 205 | Applied Statistics (3 credits) |
| DENG 315 | Technical Writing (3 credits) |
| DBSA 343 | Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare (3 credits) |
| DBSA 354 | Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3 credits) |
| DREL 368 | World Religions (3 credits) |
| DREL 379 | Lessons on Living: Biblical Perspectives (3 credits) |
| DBSA 385 | Marketing Healthcare (3 credits) |
| DBSA 388 | Components of Healthcare Financial Mgmt (3 credits) |
| Supplemental Courses: | |
| DENG 101 | English Composition I (3 credits) |
| *DENG 102 | English Composition II (3 credits) |
| *If DENG101 and DENG102 have not been completed as a part of an AS degree, they must be completed in BS degree. | |
| †Sectional Anatomy and English Comp II are prerequisites for all core sonography courses. | |
| Sonography Requirements (34 credits) | |
|---|---|
| DDMS 345 | Diagnostic Imaging (3 credits) |
| DDMS 351 | Introduction to Educational Methodology (3 credits) |
| DDMS 400 | Management Principles for Imaging Professionals |
| DDMS 441 | Advanced Topics in Sonography (3 credits) |
| DDMS 447 | Advanced Sonographic Specialties (3 credits) |
| DDMS 485 | Medical Imaging in the Digital Environment (3 credits) |
| DDMS 490 | Case Studies in Healthcare (3 credits) |
| DDMS 494 | Issues and Trends in the Healthcare Arena I (3 credits) |
| DDMS 495 | Issues and Trends in the Healthcare Arena II (3 credits) |
| DDMS 497 | Research Methods (3 credits) |
| Electives: | |
| DDMS 328 | Pathophysiology (4 credits) OR |
| Cognate Courses for Bridge Students: | |
| DENG 101 | English Composition I (3 credits) |
| DENG 102 | English Composition II (3 credits) |
| DBIO 101 | Anatomy and Physiology I (4 credits) |
| DBIO 102 | Anatomy and Physiology II (4 credits) |
| DMAT 120 | College Algebra (3 credits) |
| DPSY 124 | General Psychology (3 credits) |
| DPHY 121 | Survey of Physics (4 credits) |
DBIO 144: Sectional Anatomy (3)
Study of human anatomy, primarily emphasizing axial planes but also including sagittal, coronal and oblique plans. Designed to aid imaging modality students in recognizing, locating, and identifying normal anatomy on various computer images.
DSTA 205: Applied Statistics (3)
Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, including elementary probability, probability distributions, hypothesis testing, correlation, and regression.
DENG 315: Technical Writing (3)
Techniques of written communication within a professional setting. Includes writing reports, proposals, case notes, and charts.
DBSA 343: Legal and Ethical Aspects of Healthcare (3)
An introduction to general law and its interpretation, including various aspects of personnel law, contract law, and those laws regulating the relationship of for-profit and not-for-profit organizations with governmental and non-governmental agencies.
DBSA 354: Leadership and Organizational Behavior (3)
An exploration of the nature of individual and group behavior as it relates to the workplace. Attention will be given to motivation, performance and morale, as well as the supervision and leadership of employees.
A study of the major world religions, including their history and development. This course will familiarize the student with the major tenets and practices of these religions.
DREL 379: Lessons on Living: Biblical Perspectives (3)
This course completes the coverage of the major religions of the world through an introduction to the wisdom literature of the Jewish and Christian Bible, followed by a close reading of the Sermon on the Mount, and selected parables attributed to Jesus.
DBSA 385: Marketing Healthcare (3)
A study of the nature and function of marketing within the healthcare setting. Topics include strategic planning, competitive analysis, conservative behavior, marketing communication, and public relations.
DBSA 388: Components of Healthcare Financial Mgmt (3)
A course exploring the concepts of managerial accounting, including an understanding of the accounting cycle and the presentation and interpretation of financial statements.
DENG 101 English Composition I (3)
Focuses on writing as a means for authentic expression and exploration. Emphasis is on the writing process, especially revision. Students write several expository essays organized according to prescribed modes and learn specific writing skills and principles which readily apply to most writing tasks. This course meets the requirement for a written communication course (See communication requirements section in the Academic Bulletin).
DENG 102* English Composition II (3)
Applies the writing skills developed in ENGL 101 while focusing on rhetorical and reasoning skills necessary for various persuasive and research writing activities. Students write several persuasive papers and a major research paper. This course meets the requirement for a written communication course.
DDMS 345: Diagnostic Imaging (3)
Prerequisite: DBIO 144
Explores the principles of a variety of diagnostic imaging techniques with a focus on how imaging techniques correlate with sonographic examinations. Topics include diagnostic radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, fluoroscopy, cardiovascular interventional procedures, mammography, and nuclear medicine.
DDMS 351: Introduction to Educational Methodology (3)
Prerequisites: ENGL 101; DENG/ENGL 102; DENG 315
This course will provide a study of the principles used in instructional design. Educational theory will be presented including learning theory, evaluation theory, and system theory. Course development, syllabus building, test construction, learning assessment, and evaluation will be explored.
DDMS 400: Management Principles for Imaging Professionals
The course explores the multiple dimensions of the role of the imaging professional in the healthcare arena. Emphasis is placed on the management responsibilities needed to foster and promote quality outcomes. Topics will focus on aspects of the following: patient engagement and communication, recruitment and retention, emotional intelligence, creating effective committees and teams, and coaching and mentoring skills.
DDMS 441: Advanced Topics in Sonography (3)
Prerequisites: DMAT 205; ENGL 101; DENG/ENGL 102; DENG 315; DDMS 345
The student will present a proposal for in-depth research of a defined, specialized area within the ultrasound profession. Topics may include, but are not limited to, contrast imaging, 3-D ultrasound, 4-D ultrasound, harmonic imaging, intraoperative ultrasound, transducer technology, the impact of hand-held ultrasound machines or other evolving sonographic diagnostic techniques or topics.
DDMS 447: Advanced Sonographic Specialties (3)
Prerequisites: DMAT 205; ENGL 101; DENG/ENGL 102; DENG 315; DDMS 345
The student will present a proposal for in-depth investigation of one of the advanced sonographic specialties which includes fetal echocardiography, pediatric echocardiography, breast ultrasound, neurosonography, or other approved evolving sonographic specialty areas. The student will learn to identify normal anatomy, describe standard protocol, and demonstrate knowledge of disease and pathology associated with this specialty area.
DDMS 485: Medical Imaging in the Digital Environment (3)
Covers picture archiving and communicating systems (PACS), computed radiography, direct digital radiography, networking, and DICOM.
DDMS 490: Capstone: Case Studies in Healthcare (3)
Prerequisites: DBSA 343, DBSA 354, DBSA 385, DBSA 388, DENG 315
A capstone course that integrates business strategies for current and future operations within the field of Imaging Sciences. Applying concepts previously learned, students will create and deliver a strategic plan that encompasses the field of Imaging. This course is the final course of the program sequence and can only be taken in the student’s final trimester.
DDMS 494: Issues and Trends in the Healthcare Arena I (3)
Explores the dynamics of the healthcare marketplace including changing demographics, increasing demands of the aging population, healthcare workforce, and new medical technology and research. Emphasis will be placed on health behaviors including smoking, poor dietary habits, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse, and workplace violence.
DDMS 495: Issues and Trends in the Healthcare Arena II (3)
Prerequisite: DDMSI 494
A continuation of DDMS 494. Emphasis is placed on the medical imaging environment. Examines the challenges that shaped the field of imaging technology and current innovative strategies.
DDMS 497: Research Methods (3)
Prerequisites: DMAT 205; ENGL 101; DENG/ENGL 102
The study of the research process as applied to nursing and imaging problems. The student will evaluate published research findings for use in sonography practice. This course requires a written critique of a published sonography research study and presentation of a published sonography research study to peers. This course includes three credit hours of theory (45 clock-hours), and meets the requirement for an oral and written communication course.
Explores the principles of human physiology and pathologic processes that alter patient/client lines of defense and resistance. This course will provide the student with an understanding of structural adaptations and functional responses of cells, tissues, organs and systems. The student will develop the ability to relate clinical manifestations pathphysiologic changes. This course includes four credit hours of theory (60 clock hours).
DENG 101: English Composition I (3)
Online course available only for the students enrolled in online degrees.
Prerequisite: A minimum English ACT score of 19, or a passing score on the English Composition
Placement Test, or ENGL 091 with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00). Focuses on writing as a means for authentic expression and exploration. Emphasis is on
the writing process, especially revision. Students write several expository essays organized
according to prescribed modes and learn specific writing skills and principles which readily
apply to most writing tasks. This course meets the requirement for a written communication
course.
DENG 102: English Composition II(3)
Prerequisites: DENG 101
with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00). Online course available only for the students enrolled
in online degrees. Applies the writing skills developed in DENG 101 while focusing on rhetorical and reasoning
skills necessary for various persuasive and research writing activities. Students write
several persuasive papers and a major research paper. This course meets the requirement
for a written communication course.
DBIO 101: Anatomy and Physiology I (4)
Online course available only for the students enrolled in online degrees. Prerequisite: High school or college chemistry taken prior to
enrolling in this course, or a minimum ACT standard composite score of 19, or permission from the department chair. This is the first of a two-trimester course. Study of the typical structure and function of the human body utilizing digital and electronic
media. Includes a study of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems, along with their cytology, histology, and
chemistry. Lab exercises are included in this course.
DBIO 102: Anatomy and Physiology II (4)
Prerequisites: DBIO 101
BIOL 101 and BIOL 101L or DBIO 101. All prerequisite(s) must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00). This is the second of a two-trimester course. Further study of the typical structure and function of the human body utilizing digital and
electronic media. Covers endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Lab exercises are
included in this course.
Prerequisite: Two years of high school algebra with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00), and
one of the following: a minimum score of 19 on the math portion of the ACT, or successful
completion of MATH 101 with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00), or a passing grade on the
Mathematics Placement Test. A study of the concept of function, as well as other advanced algebra concepts. Following
a brief review of algebra topics covered in previous courses, the topics covered in this
course will include an extension of intermediate or high school algebra topics;
DPSY 124: General Psychology (3)
Survey of psychology, including human development, sensation and perception, learning
and thinking, emotions, motivation, personality, and stress, as well as psychological disorders
and their treatment. (Fall, Spring, Summer)
DPHY 121: Survey of Physics (4)
Prerequisites: MATH 120
College Algebra (MATH 120 or equivalent) with a minimum grade of “C” (2.00)
Series of lectures and demonstrations aimed at an understanding of the physical principles
of mechanics, heat, sound, light, electricity, and modern physics. This course satisfies the
Requirement for various imaging programs but does not satisfy the requirements for science
majors. Lab required. A lab fee will be assessed.
