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Student Life

Academics

DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AST 3-year Degree Program
Program Description & Job Opportunities
Course Listings
Course Descriptions

DS223 ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND I (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Presents normal and abnormal conditions of the gallbladder, liver, spleen, pancreas, abdominal vasculature, kidneys, adrenals, and bile ducts. Describes in detail the proper techniques of imaging each individual organ, including transducer selection, patient position, and scan technique. Covers the interrelationships of various organs in disease processes such as renal carcinoma, metastatic lever disease, adult and juvenile polycystic kidney disease, gallstones, adrenal tumors, and obstructive jaundice. Includes lab. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Corequisites: Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I.

DS233 ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND II (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
Begins with discussion of flow dynamics of arteries and veins of the organs of the abdomen and pelvis, including the renal arteries, hepatic artery, aortic branches, ovarian arteries, portal vein, and hepatic veins. Describes color and duplex Doppler techniques for evaluation of these arteries. Also includes advanced scanning techniques of the organs of the abdomen and pelvis. Includes lab. Prerequisites: Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation, Cross-Sectional Anatomy, Abdominal Ultrasound. Corequisites: Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation II.

GE124 ADVANCED ALGEBRA (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Advanced Algebra is designed to expand on the concepts developed in Algebra. The topics covered are scientific notation, review of measurements, operations of real numbers, exponents, polynominals, factoring, solving rational expressions, simplifying radicals, solving equations and inequalities, graphic equations, and solving systems of equations. This course forms a mathematical foundation for physics and courses in electronics. Prerequisite: Algebra.

WP205 ADVANCED WORD PROCESSING (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course is designed to further the students knowledge of the current version of Microsoft Office, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Windows. Students learn advanced features such as macros, electronic forms, and document collaboration. The course includes integrating Word and Excel. Prerequisite: Word Processing.

GE123 ALGEBRA (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Algebra is designed to cover basic mathematical and algebraic concepts with an emphasis on logical thinking skills. The topics that will be covered are review of decimals and fractions, basic definitions, operations with signed numbers, order of operations, simplifying algebraic expressions, evaluating algebraic expressions, manipulating and solving equations, exponents, different base systems, operations with polynominals, ratios and proportions, percentages, and word problems. This course forms the foundation for future courses in algebra, computer programming, electronics, accounting, statistics and software applications courses. Prerequisite: None.

MD122 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I (3.0 credits/58 clock hours)
This course begins with the structure and function of cells, tissues, organs and systems. Then it progresses to comprehensive anatomy and physiology of the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and sensory systems. Laboratory projects will be coordinated with specific systems. Prerequisite: None.

MD123 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY I LAB (.5 credit/14 clock hours)
Lab projects are coordinated with specific systems studied in Anatomy & Physiology I. Prerequisite: Must be taken concurrently with Anatomy & Physiology I.

MD124 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II (3.0 credits/58 clock hours)
This course is a continuation of comprehensive anatomy and physiology covering the following body systems: endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive. Laboratory projects will be coordinated with specific systems. Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I and Medical Terminology I.

MD125 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY II LAB (.5 credit/14 clock hours)
Lab projects are coordinated with specific systems studied in Anatomy & Physiology II. Prerequisite: Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology I Lab. Must be taken concurrently with Anatomy & Physiology II.

EN108 BUSINESS WRITING (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Students will apply the principles of grammar, punctuation, usage, composition, and psychology to writing effective business messages by composing memos and letters for typical business situations. Students will learn acceptable business correspondence format and prepare a resume, a letter of application, and a thank-you letter. Students will design a users guide as the last project. Prerequisites: English I and English II.

DS243 CARDIAC PATHOPHYSIOLOGY I (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Systematic presentation of diseases and conditions of the heart, Part I. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent. Must be enrolled in the DMS program.

DS246 CARDIAC PATHOPHYSIOLOGY II (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
Systematic presentation of diseases and conditions of the heart, Part II. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent and Cardiac Pathophysiology I. Must be enrolled in the DMS program.

DS302 CLINICAL INTERNSHIP II (10.0 credits/420 clock hours)
The student is assigned to a carefully selected hospital ultrasound department where he/she will begin by observing ultrasound scans. The student will gradually begin supervised scanning of actual patients, and will eventually perform complete diagnostic procedures with minimal supervision. Supervision of the student is provided by the site medical advisor (physician) and by the supervisory Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The clinical coordinator of the program maintains regular contact with both of these individuals throughout the course to monitor progress of the student on a week-by-week basis. Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed terms 6 and 7 of the program.

DS303 CLINICAL INTERNSHIP III (10.0 credits/420 clock hours)
The student is assigned to a carefully selected hospital ultrasound department where he/she will begin by observing ultrasound scans. The student will gradually begin supervised scanning of actual patients, and will eventually perform complete diagnostic procedures with minimal supervision. Supervision of the student is provided by the site medical advisor (physician) and by the supervisory Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The clinical coordinator of the program maintains regular contact with both of these individuals throughout the course to monitor progress of the student on a week-by-week basis. Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed term 6, 7, and 8 of the program.

DS204 CLINICAL OBSTETRICS (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Begins with endocrinology of ovulation, fertilization and implantation, moving on to embryology and progressive development of the fetal and maternal structures throughout the first, second and third trimesters. Physiology and pathophysiology of the placenta are discussed. Emergent conditions such as ectopic pregnancy, placenta abruptio, and impending abortion (miscarriage) are presented. Congenital anomalies, syndromes, intrauterine growth retardation, and other pathologies involving the developing fetus are discussed. Fetal presentation and problems of labor and delivery are covered. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Corequisite: Obstetric Ultrasound.

CP114 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course in operating systems is designed to introduce students to the terminology and concepts that are required for computer literacy and for future computer related courses. Topics to be covered include hardware, software, DOS, Microsoft Windows, and a brief history of computers. Prerequisite: None.

DS202 CROSS SECTIONAL & THREE-DIMENSIONAL ANATOMY (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Presents human anatomy in various planes, and spatial relationships of organs to one another. Presents anatomic detail in cross-sectional format in 1 cm thick slices of the human body. Compares actual anatomical sections with ultrasound, computed topography, and MRI images. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II.

CP105 DATABASE (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course will cover beginning and intermediate database topics. The student will learn what a database is and how it is used in business. The student will also learn how to design and build a database, tables, reports, queries and forms. General database topics such as normalization will be covered as well as features specific to Microsoft Access. Prerequisite: Computer Fundamentals or Introduction to Computing(Accelerated).

WP207 DESKTOP PUBLISHING (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course teaches students to create professional printed materials such as brochures, forms, newsletters, reports, and booklets on the computer. Students will learn basic design and page layout skills and produce a variety of documents which incorporate text and graphics. Prerequisite: Word Processing.

DS244 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY I (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
In-depth presentation of echocardiographic technique in evaluating the normal heart. Introduction to echocardiographic presentation of various diseases of the heart. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent. Must be enrolled in the DMS program. Corequisites: Cardiac Pathophysiology I, Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology.

DS247 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY II (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
In-depth presentation of echocardiographic technique in evaluating various diseases of the heart. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent, Cardiac Pathophysiology I, Introduction to Cardiovascular Technology. Must be enrolled in the DMS program. Corequisite: Cardiac Pathophysiology II.

DS255 ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY SPECIAL TOPICS (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
Presentation of Echo Color/Doppler principles and instrumentation, in-depth, for cardiac applications. Study of cardiovascular hemodynamics in diseased states. Presentation of Echo Doppler derived cardiac pressures, formulas and quantifications performed in the diseased states, Correlation of Echo Doppler data with Cardiac Cath Lab data. Introduction to advanced topics of Transesophageal Echo. Contrast Studies, Intraoperative and Epicardial Echo, Stress Echo, and the latest advances in cardiac ultrasound equipment and technology. Prerequisite: Echocardiography I.

GE101 ECONOMICS (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic fundamentals of economics and how such knowledge can help us in understanding day to day life. We will discuss the principles of supply and demand and how these principles affect price and production in a free economy as well as in other economies. We will then discuss monetary policy and fiscal policy and their effectiveness in stabilizing our economy. We will end with a discussion of the varying degrees of competition and the subsequent effects on our economy. Prerequisite: None.

EN101 ENGLISH I (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Students will learn the current practices of effective oral and written communication skills necessary for success in business and industry. Prerequisite: None.

GE127 ENGLISH II (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Students will continue studying and practicing the four bases of writing (unity, support, coherence, correctness). Students will write paragraphs, essays, summaries of short articles, continue to write in their journals, and a write a research paper. Prerequisite: English I.

MD220 FIRST AID & CPR (1.0 credit/24 clock hours)
The purpose of this course is to give individuals in the workplace the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and provide basic care for injuries, sudden illnesses, and breathing emergencies until advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. Individuals will learn the skills necessary to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for victims or sudden cardiac arrest. Prerequisite: None.

DS224 GYNECOLOGIC ULTRASOUND (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Begins with anatomic relationships of the female pelvic organs as related to ultrasound imaging, comparing ultrasound images of normal and abnormal structures. Various tumors, cysts, congenital anomalies, and other pathologic conditions are covered, along with ultrasound diagnosis of these conditions. Includes lab. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Corequisites: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation, Cross-Sectional Anatomy.

DS236 HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEMS (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course is designed to enhance the students understanding of the health care delivery system and the educational background and role of the professionals involved in delivering health care. Other topics to be explored include accreditation, licensure, and certification standards and the organizations that impose them; the reimbursement systems in health care and their impact; purpose and use of the ICD-9-CM coding system and purpose and use of HCPCS. Key issues currently impacting health care will be discussed. Prerequisite: The student must be enrolled in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.

GE109 HUMAN RELATIONS (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
This course is designed to be an in-depth study and the building of specific skills in the area of one-to-one communication. Emphasis is placed on group dynamics, conflict resolution, dealing with diversity, and social responsibility. Prerequisite: None.

DS245 INTRODUCTION TO CARDIOVASCULAR TECHNOLOGY (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Presentation of a broad spectrum of invasive and noninvasive diagnostic procedures used in the assessment of heart disease. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent. Must be enrolled in the DMS program. Co-requisite: Cardiac Pathophysiology I.

DS240 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL IMAGING (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Introduction to various diagnostic imaging modalities in use today. Includes Radiography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Ultrasound. Includes several site visits to medical imaging facilities. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II.

GE106 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
This course is an overview of basic psychological concepts. The relationship of psychology and states of consciousness to behavior introduces the areas of learning, memory, thinking and intelligence. Motivation, emotion and stress will be included as well as personality and social psychology. The emphasis is placed on the application of these principles in the students life at work and home. Prerequisite: None.

DS234 INTRODUCTION TO VASCULAR ULTRASOUND (4.0 credits/84 clock hours)
This course is an introduction to the various applications of Ultrasound to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders, including cerebrovascular, peripheral arterial, and peripheral venous applications. It begins with the anatomy and physiology of the veins and arteries, and includes pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, cerebral ischemia, and deep vein thrombosis. It includes hemodynamics of atherosclerotic lesions, and reduction of catheter induced pseudoaneurysms. Prerequisite: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation. Corequisite: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II.

CD204 JOB SEARCH SKILLS (1.0 credit/24 clock hours)
This course instructs students in job seeking skills. Topics such as informational interviewing resume development, application completion and job interviewing will be covered. Students will identify work and personal skills, role-play mock interviews using the video camera, and start to develop a list of prospective employers for which they would like to work. Prerequisite: None.

KE101 KEYBOARDING I & LAB (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course is designed to teach the student correct keyboarding techniques and to help the student operate the letters, numbers, and symbols keys. Introduction to letters, memorandums, centering, tabulation, simple reports, word division, and business forms are stressed. This class will also provide time for students to increase their speed and accuracy through drill work and timed writings. Prerequisite: None.

DS307 LAW & ETHICS FOR IMAGING PROFESSIONALS (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Presentation of various medical/legal situations which may be encountered in a health-care employment setting. Some of the topics include labor law, employment discrimination laws, civil liability, medical malpractice, patient rights, and professional ethics. Prerequisite: Must be enrolled in the DMS program.

MD114 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY I (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Presentation of medical terms, including medical prefixes, root words/combining forms, suffixes, abbreviations and diagnostic tests as they correlate with specific body systems presented in Anatomy & Physiology I. Prerequisite: None, but taken concurrently with Anatomy & Physiology I.

MD105 MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY II (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Presentation of medical terms, including medical prefixes, root words/combining forms, suffixes, abbreviations and diagnostic tests as they correlate with specific body systems presented in Anatomy & Physiology II. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and Medical Terminology I. Taken concurrently with Anatomy & Physiology II.

DS218 OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Presents an in-depth study of Ultrasound evaluation of the pregnant uterus in the first, second, and third trimesters. Begins with Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, abnormalities in early gestation, miscarriage, blighted ovum, and moving on to Ultrasound dating of pregnancy, fetal anomalies, general malformations and syndromes, placental development, placental abnormalities, placental abruptio, and multiple pregnancy. Also includes discussion on infertility, genetic testing, and determination of fetal sex. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II. Corequisites: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation, Cross Sectional & Three-Dimensional Anatomy, Clinical Obstetrics.

DS231 OBSTETRIC ULTRASOUND II (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
Continues and expands upon fetal anomalies, genetic malformations and syndromes. Stresses the development of scanning protocols and scan techniques for the pregnant uterus. Presents Doppler applications in obstetrics. Prerequisites: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation, Cross Sectional and Three-Dimensional Anatomy, Clinical Obstetrics, Obstetric Ultrasound. Corequisite: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II.

HI106 PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (3.5 credits/72 clock hours)
Study of abnormal physiology associated with disease states of the body with emphasis on the nature, cause, diagnostic, treatment and management of prominent clinical disease processes of the body. Diagnostic methods, interpretation of laboratory tests and drug therapies will be included. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II and Medical Terminology I and II.

DS120 PATIENT CARE (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Presentation of simple to advanced patient care techniques such as moving patients, taking a history, managing patients with IVs, proper aseptic techniques, and infection control procedures. Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II or equivalent.

PD119 PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT (1.0 credit/24 clock hours)
This course is designed to explore the fundamental building blocks to a students success in school and ultimate success in the workplace. The focus is on building success through goal setting, motivation, personal responsibility, self-discovery, and change. Prerequisite: None.

MG231 PERSONAL FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to: set realistic financial goals; understand how, when and where a recordkeeping system should be developed; develop a budget; understand debt and debt reduction; and understand Social Security benefits. Additionally, the following topics will be covered: savings and investment, the home as an investment, funding college education, purchasing an automobile, insurance, retirement, financial fitness for women on their own, and your will. Prerequisite: None.

GE129 PHYSICS (3.5 credits/72 clock hours)
An algebra-based course for the ET and DMS program students. Topics covered include technical measurements, simple machines, elasticity, fluids, temperature and expansion, wave motion, and sound. Students work together in laboratory exercises to supplement the lectures. Prerequisite: Advanced Algebra.

HI200 PRINCIPLES OF SUPERVISION (2.0 credits/36 clock hours)
Concepts of management, including basic theories, planning, controlling, organizing, staffing and training will be presented. Emphasis is placed on human relations, motivation, leadership, and communication. Preparation of budgets, time management, dealing with unions, and writing job descriptions will also be discussed. Prerequisite: None.

DS225 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I (2.0 credit/30 clock hours)
The student meets with his/her classmates and instructor one day per two-week period to discuss interesting cases which the student has encountered during his/her internship experience. Pertinent journal articles are also presented and discussed. Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed terms 6 and 7 of the program.

DS226 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT II (2.0 credits/30 clock hours)
The student meets with his/her classmates and instructor one day per two-week period to discuss interesting cases which the student has encountered during his/her internship experience. Pertinent journal articles are also presented and discussed. Prerequisites: Must have successfully completed terms 6, 7, and 8 of the program.

GE224 SPEECH (1.0 credit/24 clock hours)
This introductory course offers fundamentals in communication with emphasis on improving speaking and listening skills. This course will familiarize students with formal speech preparation, presentation skills, and nonverbal communication. Prerequisite: None.

DS210 ULTRASOUND OF THE THYROID, BREAST, AND SUPERFICIAL STRUCTURES (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Describes diseases and sonographic anatomy of the breast, including discussion of Xray, mammography, ultrasound screening, and biopsy. Presents endocrinology of the thyroid gland, including diseases such as thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, hyper and hypothyroidism, and various benign and malignant tumors. Also describes diagnostic blood tests for thyroid dysfunction. Other topics include evaluation of the testicles and prostate gland, superficial cysts, and muscle tumors (sarcoma). Prerequisites: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Ultrasound Physics & instrumentation, Cross Sectional & Three-Dimensional Anatomy. Corequisite: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II.

DS201 ULTRASOUND PHYSICS & INSTRUMENTATION I (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
This course presents basic physics of diagnostic ultrasound, including sound properties such as wavelength, frequency, and amplitude, behavior of ultrasound in tissue, and potential bioeffects. This course moves rapidly into instrumentation of diagnostic ultrasound equipment, beginning with construction and manufacturing of ultrasound transducers, A-mode, M-mode, and B-mode displays, depth-gain compensation curves, and types of beam steering and focusing. Optimum determination of penetration, resolution, and other factors determining scan quality are discussed. Includes lab. Prerequisite: Algebra.

DS229 ULTRASOUND PHYSICS & INSTRUMENTATION II (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
Begins with discussion of the Doppler effect, calculation of flow velocities via the Doppler equation, methods of spectral analysis such as FFT (fast fourier transformation), analog and digital displays, and color Doppler. Covers properties of Doppler ultrasound instruments such as pulse repetition frequency (PRF), aliasing, and Nyquist limit. Includes discussion of power and intensity measurements of ultrasound instruments, and various methods of calculating dosage. Discussion of legal ramifications of output power of ultrasound instruments. Prerequisite: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation.

DS254 VASCULAR PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
Systematic presentation of diseases and conditions of the vascular system.
Prerequisite: None.

DS252 VASCULAR TECHNOLOGY I (3.0 credit/60 clock hours)
This is an in-depth course teaching various applications of ultrasound to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders, including cebrovascular, aorto-iliac and lower extremity arterial, and lower extremity venous disease. It begins with the anatomy and physiology of the extracranial arterial, lower extremity veins and lower extremity arterial circulation systems and includes pathogenesis and duplex assessment of aorto-iliac lower extremity atherosclerosis and aneurismal disease, cebral ischemia, deep vein thrombosis, and venous insufficiency. Prerequisite: None.

DS253 VACSCULAR TECHNOLOGY II (3.5 credits/72 clock hours)
This is a course teaching various applications of ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disorders, building upon the continuing topics in Vascular Technology I. Prerequisite: Vascular Technology I.

DS248 VASCULAR ULTRASOUND SPECIAL TOPICS (2.0 credits/48 clock hours)
An in-depth presentation of special aspects of noninvasive vascular testing, including advanced carotid imaging techniques, duplex evaluation of peripheral arteries, and segmental pressure testing. This course stresses hands-on techniques as well as classroom instruction. Prerequisites: Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation II. Must be enrolled in the DMS program. Corequisite: Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound.

WP202 WORD PROCESSING (3.0 credits/60 clock hours)
This course is designed to provide students with the basic understanding of word processing keyboarding applications, concepts, and terminology. The purpose of the course is to develop an ability to use the current version of Microsoft Word for both professional use (simple business correspondence) and for personal use (report writing). Prerequisite: Keyboarding I & Lab or exemption.