School of Diagnostic Radiography Curriculum

This course is designed to Introduce students to the Radiography Program, the field of radiology and the organization.  Topics for discussion will include program policies and procedures; general radiology history; professional organizations; accreditation, licensure, and professional pathways. Fundamentals of radiation protection for the patient, general public, and radiographer/student with emphasis on minimizing radiation exposure and methods to accomplish ALARA concepts will be discussed. Fundamentals of radiobiology including somatic and genetic effects and units of radiation measurement will be discussed. Basic presentation of exposure factors and their application to the clinical setting are included. More complete courses on radiation protection and exposure factors will be presented as the student progresses in the program. Medical Terminology & Medical Law & Ethics in the radiologic sciences are also covered.

This course is designed to study the human structure and its functions.  Specific emphasis will be placed on structure and function of cells, tissues, and systems to include respiratory, general abdomen, basic digestive anatomy, and the appendicular skeleton including the upper extremities, shoulder, lower extremities, and bony pelvis.

This course is a continuation of Anatomy and Physiology I and is designed to study the human structure and its functions. Structures and functions to be discussed include the axial skeletal system including the vertebral column, bony thorax, cranial and facial bones, digestive, urinary, biliary, reproductive, endocrine, muscular, integumentary, central nervous, cardiovascular, and lymphatic systems. Sectional anatomy of the head, thorax, abdomen and pelvis will be presented with CT and or MRI image correlation to line diagrams.

This course is designed to provide the basic concepts of patient care, including consideration for the physical and psychological needs of the patient and family. Routine and emergency patient care procedures are covered, as well as infection control procedures using standard precautions. 

This course is designed to provide a basis for the production, recording and analysis of radiographic images. 

Basic fundamentals concerned with the production, analysis, and recording of radiographic images are included in this course.  Understanding density, contrast, detail and distortion as well as their interrelationships will be emphasized.  Subject matter will include mAs, kVp, distance relationships, geometric image formation, grids, beam limiting devices, filtration, computers, digital image acquisition and processing, and technique charts. A laboratory component is included.

Clinical Education I is the first in a series of four courses that provide the student with the necessary clinical education needed in the actual practice of radiography.  This course takes place in the clinical area.  The student is exposed to actual patient contact.  The student will begin to rotate through clinical areas of general radiology and will begin to master the basic skills necessary to function in a radiography room.  Student rotations through support areas of radiology including transport and clerical/office are included but limited.  The student will also begin to learn to master basic radiographic examinations under the direct supervision of a technologist. Students will perform competency exams as identified by the syllabus.

This course is a continuation of Clinical Education I as students continue to rotate through various aspects of the radiology department to involve clinical participation under direct and indirect supervision .

This course is a continuation of Clinical Education II and serves as an intensive focus on the advancement of clinical skills acquired in Clinical Education I and II. Students will continue to rotate through various aspects of the radiology department to involve clinical participation under direct and indirect supervision.  Students will begin pediatric rotations to advance age specific consideration skills.

This course is a continuation of Clinical Education III as students continue to rotate through various aspects of the radiology department to involve clinical participation under direct and indirect supervision.  Students will continue pediatric rotations and will begin evening assignments as an introduction to radiography services performed after normal working hours. Students will begin dedicated CT rotations to foster clinical competency in required CT exams. Students will also begin rotations through medical imaging modalities of MRI, angiography, sonography, radiation oncology, and nuclear medicine to gain comprehensive understanding of medical imaging.

This course is designed to introduce computers with medical applications as it relates to the radiology department. Discussion and application include: types of computers, basic components of a computer system, programming languages and applications of computers.   Computer applications in Radiologic sciences related to image capture, display, storage and distribution are covered.

Content is designed to present an overview of the principles of radiation protection, including theresponsibilities of the radiographer for patients, personnel and the public. Radiation health andsafety requirements of federal and state regulatory agencies, accreditation agencies and healthcare organizations are incorporated. The Radiobiology course provides an overview of the principles of the interaction of radiation within living systems. Radiation effects on molecules, cells, tissues and the body as a whole arepresented. Factors affecting biological response are presented, including acute and chroniceffects of radiation.

This course introduces the fundamental principles of physics that underlie diagnostic X-ray production and radiography. Topics include electromagnetic waves, electricity and magnetism, electrical energy, and power and circuits as they relate to radiography. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of basic principles of physics as they relate to the operation of radiographic equipment.

Content is designed to provide a basis for analyzing radiographic images. Included are theimportance of minimum imaging standards, discussion of a problem-solving technique for imageevaluation and the factors that can affect image quality. Actual images will be included foranalysis.

This course is designed to provide basic concepts of pharmacology. The theory and practice of basic techniques of venipuncture and administration of diagnostic contrast agents and/or intravenous medications is included. The appropriate delivery of patient care during these procedures is emphasized.

This course is designed to provide knowledge of anatomy of the head, thorax,abdomen and pelvis in the sectional views that are prominent in radiologic science imaging.

This course is designed to establish a knowledge base in radiographic, fluoroscopic, mobile andtomographic equipment requirements and design. The content also provides a basic knowledgeof quality control.

This course includes the nature and causes of disease, injury and illness, especially as it applies to radiology.  This course is intended to provide the student a focus on pathology that can affect the technical factors used to obtain a radiographic image.  The course correlates various anatomic systems of the body with pathologies found in those systems.  Terminology and technical characteristics will be of major emphasis. Systems will include osseous, respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular, and nervous.  Non-systemic neoplasia pathologies and general terms will also be discussed. Basic epidemiology will be presented. This will culminate in the presentation of a comprehensive report / project on a specific radiologically identified pathology.

This course is a review session to help prepare the students for the national ARRT registry examination.  A brief overview of the subjects studied during the course of the program will be addressed.  The course also incorporates the use of mock board exams to help aid students in the review process and to chart progress toward ARRT board readiness.