DMS Curriculum
DMS 4400 Introduction to Sonography, 1 credit. This course introduces the profession of sonography and examines the role of the sonographer. An introduction will be provided for pulse-echo imaging, general sonography, cardiac sonography, vascular technology and typical career opportunities available in this field.
DMS 4401 Abdominal Sonography I, 2 credits. This course covers sonographic anatomy and scanning procedures of the abdomen and superficial structures. Emphasis is placed on pathology, the various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance in the areas of soft tissues, blood vessels and organs of the abdominal cavities. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Abdomen (AB) Examination.
DMS 4402 Abdominal Sonography II, 1 credit. This course covers sonographic anatomy and advanced scanning procedures of the abdomen and superficial structures. Emphasis is placed on pathology, the various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance in the areas of soft tissues, blood vessels and organs of the abdominal cavities. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Abdomen (AB) Examination.
DMS 4404 OB/GYN Sonography I, 1 credit. This course covers the anatomy and scanning procedures of the female pelvis and the developing fetus in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Emphasis is placed on pathology, various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Examination.
DMS 4405 OB/GYN Sonography II, 1 credit. This course covers the anatomy and advanced scanning procedures of the female pelvis and the developing fetus in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Emphasis is placed on pathology, various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Examination.
DMS 4406 OB/GYN Sonography III, 1 credit. This course covers the anatomy and advanced scanning procedures of the female pelvis and the developing fetus in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy. Additional information on anatomy, pathophysiology, sonographic theory, and sonographic technique will be covered. Emphasis is placed on pathology, various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Examination.
DMS 4407 Sonography Physics & Instrumentation I, 1 credit. This course covers the fundamentals of sonography principles and instrumentation, clinical safety, physical principles, and pulsed echo instrumentation. Various types of transducers used to acquire images will be introduced. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice and activities are structured to follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination.
DMS 4408 Sonography Physics & Instrumentation II, 1 credit. This course covers advanced sonography principles and instrumentation, QA, clinical safety, physical principles, and pulsed echo instrumentation. Image artifacts will also be examined. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice, and to pass the ARDMS sonography principles & instrumentation (SPI) exam.
DMS 4409 Sonography Physics & Instrumentation III, 1 credit. This course covers advanced sonography principles and instrumentation, QA, clinical safety, physical principles, and pulsed echo instrumentation. Current technology will be examined, including the continuing progression of contrast agents and 3D/4D and emerging imaging advancements and techniques. More emphasis will be placed on critical thinking skills, troubleshooting, and image evaluation. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice, and to pass the ARDMS sonography principles & instrumentation (SPI) exam.
DMS 4410 Fundamentals of Sonography Lab I, 1 credit. In the laboratory setting, students will apply their knowledge to develop psychomotor and critical thinking skills required to properly perform commonly ordered sonography examinations. This will include hands on scanning exercises and completion of laboratory assignments and competency assessments. Students will acquire knowledge of anatomical landmarks, standard exam protocols, scanning techniques, patient care skills, and proper machine operation and maintenance.
DMS 4411 Fundamentals of Sonography Lab II, 1 credit. In the laboratory setting, students will apply their knowledge to develop psychomotor and critical thinking skills required to properly perform commonly ordered sonography examinations. This will include hands on scanning exercises and completion of laboratory assignments and competency assessments. Emphasis will be placed on developing scanning techniques for patients with varying body habitus size, limited mobility, patients unable to communicate, or other non-routine scenarios. Students will acquire knowledge of anatomical landmarks, standard exam protocols, scanning techniques, patient care skills, and proper machine operation and maintenance.
DMS 4412 Fundamentals of Sonography Lab III, 1 credit. In the laboratory setting, students will apply their knowledge to develop advanced psychomotor and critical thinking skills required to properly perform atypical sonography examinations along with interventional procedures such as biopsies, thoracentesis, paracentesis, abscess drainages, and other sterile tray procedures. This will include hands on scanning exercises and completion of laboratory assignments and competency assessments. Students will acquire knowledge of anatomical landmarks, standard exam protocols, scanning techniques, patient care skills, and proper machine operation and maintenance.
DMS 4413 Sonography Case Studies I, 1 credit. This course covers a number of common case studies and teaching files presented with images in different projections to point out specific features, anomalies, pathology, or disease processes. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice and to assist the student in passing the ARDMS specialty examinations.
DMS 4414 Sonography Case Studies II, 1 credit. This course covers a number of uncommon case studies and teaching files presented with images in different projections to point out specific features, anomalies, pathology, or disease processes. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice and to assist the student in passing the ARDMS specialty examinations.
DMS 4415 Sonography Case Studies III, 1 credit. This course covers a number of rare case studies and teaching files presented with images in different projections to point out specific features, anomalies, pathology, or disease processes. Students will develop a pathology poster board to submit in the state-level exhibit competition. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice and to assist the student in passing the ARDMS specialty examinations.
DMS 4416 Vascular Sonography, 2 credits. This course covers a review of ultrasound vascular diagnosis, including peripheral veins and arteries, carotid and vertebral arteries, abdominal vessels, and transcranial Doppler. Information gained in this course will be used to further sonographic practice and develop an understanding of the vascular system.
DMS 4417 Superficial Structures in Sonography, 1 credit. This course covers sonographic anatomy and scanning procedures for superficial structures including the thyroid gland, lymph nodes, hernias, testicles/scrotum, and musculoskeletal anomalies. Emphasis is placed on pathology, the various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS.
DMS 4418 Breast Sonography, 1 credit. This course covers the anatomy and scanning procedures of the breast. Pathology identified through screening or diagnostic mammography, breast quadrants, and the clock positions used to identify and isolate breast abnormalities will be reviewed. Emphasis is placed on pathology, various disease processes, and their sonographic appearance (normal vs. abnormal). Emphasis is on professional and technical qualities required of becoming a competent sonographer and learning the basics of performing sonographic breast examinations. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS Breast (BR) Examination.
DMS 4419 Sonography Specially Areas, 1 credit. This course provides advanced applications and theory in perinatology, pediatric imaging, cardiac sonography, vascular technology and typical career opportunities available in these fields.
DMS 4451 Research Principles in Sonography, 2 credits. This course provides a foundation for critical analysis of research and medical literature while developing advanced writing and critical thinking skills. Statistical research concepts and procedures are combined with an emphasis on practical health care applications and dissemination of knowledge. Papers generated in this course will be submitted for professional peer review/evaluation at national and state level conference essay competitions.
DMS 4476 Sonography ARDMS Registry Review, 1 credit. Sonography students will review activities structured following the guidelines of the ARDMS to earn the credentials of Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). Specific focus concentration areas include: Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) Examination, Abdomen (AB) Examination, Breast (BR) Examination, and the Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) Examination.
DMS 4491 Applied Sonography I, 4-6 credits. Sonography students will attend clinical rotations for up to 32 hours per week. Emphasis is on professional and technical qualities required of becoming a competent sonographer and learning the basics of performing sonographic examinations. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS. Clinical rotation schedules will be determined by the clinical coordinator.
DMS 4492 Applied Sonography II, 6-8 credits. Sonography students will attend clinical rotations for up to 32 hours per week. Emphasis is on professional and technical qualities required of becoming a competent sonographer and learning the basics of performing sonographic examinations. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS. Clinical rotation schedules will be determined by the clinical coordinator.
DMS 4493 Applied Sonography III, 6-8 credits. Sonography students will attend clinical rotations for up to 32 hours per week. Emphasis is on professional and technical qualities required of becoming a competent sonographer and learning the basics of performing sonographic examinations. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS. Clinical rotation schedules will be determined by the clinical coordinator.
DMS 4494 Applied Sonography IV, 6 credits. Sonography students will attend clinical rotations for up to 32 hours per week. Emphasis is on professional and technical qualities required of becoming a competent sonographer and learning the basics of performing sonographic examinations. Activities structured follow the guidelines of the ARDMS. Clinical rotation schedules will be determined by the clinical coordinator.
