CURRICULUM AND COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

First Year – First Semester
Introduction to Radiography
Introduction to Patient Care
Medical Terminology
Radiographic Exposure I
Radiographic Anatomy & Positioning I
Clinical Radiography I

First Year – Second Semester
Medico-Legal Ethics/Human Diversity
Radiographic Exposure II
Radiographic Anatomy & Positioning II
Radiation Physics
Clinical Radiography II

Second Year – Third Semester
Radiation Protection & Biology
Radiographic Processing & Quality Assurance
Radiographic Anatomy & Positioning III
Introduction to Computed Tomography
Clinical Radiography III

Second Year – Fourth Semester
Radiographic Pathology
General Registry Review
Clinical Radiography IV

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Introduction to Radiology: This course is designed to introduce the new radiologic technologist student to the health care system of a hospital, the organizational structure of a diagnostic imaging department and the policies and regulations of a healthcare institution.

Introduction to Patient Care: This course is designed to introduce the student to basic patient care, infection control, and safety principles for patients undergoing diagnostic examinations.

Medical Terminology:  This course will provide the student with an understanding of medical terminology by using the word-building system; e.g. roots, suffixes, prefixes, antonyms, synonyms and homonyms. The student will apply medical terms to radiology and other healthcare diagnostic reports to interpret their meanings.

Radiographic Anatomy & Positioning I, II & III: These courses are designed to introduce the student to the basic radiographic positioning, terminology, anatomy and anatomical relationships necessary to perform basic radiographic procedures.

Radiographic Exposure I & II: These courses are designed to introduce the student to the factors that determine the characteristics of radiation exposure to the patient and the resulting image.  The student will learn to apply the knowledge and make decisions concerning the quality of radiographic images.

Medico-Legal Ethics/Human Diversity: This course provides the student with the basic understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of radiography, patient education and patient privacy.  The student will also explore healthcare issues related to culturally diverse patients and their families.

Radiation Physics: This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of the science of medical imaging.  Students will learn the fundamentals governing x-ray production and the characteristics of the resultant beam.

Radiographic Image Processing & Quality Assurance: This course provides the student with the knowledge required to process radiographic images as well as recognize common artifacts and their causes.  Quality control of imaging equipment and the fundamentals of imaging department quality assurance programs will be reviewed.

Introduction to Computed Tomography: The course will cover the basic discipline of CT. During this time students learn terminology that is CT specific, touch on physics and instrumentation, radiation protection, patient preparation and gain an understanding of cross-sectional anatomy through image evaluation. Class is scheduled once a week for a one hour session.

Radiation Protection & Biology/Imaging Equipment: This course provides the student with an in depth view of the principles of radiation protection for the patient and occupational personnel.  The student will also gain an understanding of the biological, genetic and somatic effects of radiation, dose response relationships and radiation monitoring. 

Radiographic Pathology: This course provides the student with a basic understanding of some of the most common disease processes.

General Registry Review: This course is a capstone course, designed to review the major subject areas that will be part of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) examination.

Clinical Radiography I, II, III, IV: These courses provide the student an opportunity to interact with patients and healthcare team members in a diagnostic imaging environment.  Students demonstrate the skills and knowledge to produce optimal radiographic images, communicate effectively, provide high quality patient care and exercise radiation protection towards the patient, the healthcare team and the general public.

Clinical Radiography I, II, III, IV: These courses provide the student an opportunity to interact with patients and healthcare team members in a diagnostic imaging environment.  Students demonstrate the skills and knowledge to produce optimal radiographic images, communicate effectively, provide high quality patient care and exercise radiation protection towards the patient, the healthcare team and the general public.