The University of Iowa (UI) Radiation Sciences in collaboration with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics’ Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program will begin offering online contining education through the UI Center for Credit Programs in the Summer 2010. The instructors facilitating these courses are those currently educating students in the UI Hospitals and Clinics’ DMS Program with adjunct faculty assistance and expertise from sonographers, residents and physicians employed at UI Hospitals and Clinics. These distance education courses are part of the continuing education mission of the department. They do not meet the requirements for the BS in Radiation Sciences and do not fulfill requirements for the CAAHEP accredited DMS program.
The courses are entirely internet-based and are designed to provide the student with the information identified in The American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) exam content outlines for Sonography Principles and Instrumentation, Abdomen, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Vascular Technology (see www.ardms.org).
Successful completion of a two-year Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is required to enroll in the courses.
The continuing education courses offered by the UI do not provide the required clinical education to take professional certification examinations and enter the profession. To meet the ARDMS examination prerequisites students will also need to complete twelve months of clinical ultrasound experience (see www.ardms.org). Students should explore clinical internship opportunities through institutions that have partnered with the UI Radiation Sciences or other institution of their choice.
Semester offered: Summer and Fall
Description: This course will include sonography history, ergonomics, terminology, image orientation, and the basic theories of sound waves, echo production, transducers, equipment operation, body imaging, Doppler, and hemodynamics.
Prerequisites: Basic Physics 029:008 or equivalent course, or Radiologic Technology Program physics course, or Diagnostic Medical Sonography physics course.
Semester offered: Spring only
Description: This course will include a detailed study of the physical principles of sound waves, their applications to imaging of the human body, the operation and physical characteristics of various ultrasound transducers, the method by which the sound wave is converted into a visual image, instrumentation components and their functions, Doppler principles, image artifacts, advanced hemodynamics, and spectral Doppler waveform analysis.
Prerequisites: Foundations of Sonography
Semester offered: Fall only
Description: A detailed approach to the embryology, anatomy, and physiology of various abdominal structures imaged sonographically. These include abdominal vasculature, hepatobiliary system, pancreas, urinary system, adrenals, spleen and male anatomy. Proper sonographic imaging techniques are discussed including the appearance of normal anatomy, imaging protocol, and proper instrument settings.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a two-year Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program; and 676:100EXW Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences or equivalent.
Semester offered: Spring only
Description: This course will discuss the pathophysiology of abdominal structures imaged sonographically to include the GI system, abdominal wall, peritoneal, retroperitoneal, and superficial structures discussed in Abdominal Sonography I. Interventional sonographic procedures are discussed including aspirations, biopsies, intraoperative procedures, sterile technique, needle-guide use, and post procedure protocol. Clinical findings, laboratory studies, and prognosis are correlated with sonographic findings. Appropriate image analysis and documentation of pathology will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Abdominal Sonography I.
Semester offered: Fall only
Description: A detailed approach to the embryology, anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system and developing fetus. Proper sonographic imaging techniques are discussed including the appearance of normal anatomy, imaging protocol, and proper instrument settings.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a two-year Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program; and 676:100EXW Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences or equivalent.
Semester offered: Spring only
Description: A discussion of sonographically related pathological and abnormal congenital conditions of gynecology and obstetrics, infertility, assisted reproductive therapy, invasive procedures in OB/G, postpartum complications and maternal-fetal bonding. Clinical findings, laboratory studies, and prognosis are correlated with sonographic findings. Appropriate image analysis and documentation of pathology will be discussed.
Prerequisites: Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography I.
Semester offered: Fall only
Description: A detailed approach to the embryology, anatomy and physiology of peripheral and cerebral vascular system. Normal and abnormal hemodynamics, Doppler waveforms, pressure measurements, plethysmography, sonographic appearance and scanning techniques will be discussed. Common types of pathology of the lower extremity arterial and venous system and the cerebrovascular system will be explored.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a two-year Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program; and University of Iowa Radiation Sciences Vascular Anatomy or equivalent.
Semester offered: Spring only
Description: A detailed approach to the pathophysiology of the peripheral, cerebral and abdominal vascular systems as evaluated sonographically. Normal and abnormal hemodynamics, Doppler waveforms, pressure measurements, plethysmography, sonographic appearance and scanning techniques will be discussed. Sonographic findings of diseases involving the lower extremity arterial and venous system, upper extremity arterial and venous system, cerebrovascular system and abdominal vascular system will be explored.
Prerequisites: Vascular Sonography I
Description: A detailed approach to the embryology, anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the breast as it relates to sonographic imaging. Proper sonographic imaging techniques are discussed including the appearance of normal anatomy, imaging protocol, and proper instrument settings. Sonographic findings of diseases involving the breast will be explored.
Prerequisites: Successful completion of a two-year Radiologic Technology or Diagnostic Medical Sonography program; and Foundations of Sonography.
- Offered during the summer, fall, and spring semesters.
- Prerequisite for Abdominal Sonography I and Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography I if an equivalent sectional anatomy course has not been completed.
- Offered during the summer and fall semesters
- Prerequisite for Sonography Principles, Physics and Instrumentation
- Prerequisite for Breast Sonography
- Offered during the fall semester only
- Prerequisite for Obstetrical and Gynecological Sonography II
- Offered during the fall semester only
- Prerequisite for Abdominal Sonography II
- Offered during the fall semester only
- Prerequisite for Vascular Sonography II
Complete information on how to enroll in DMS distance education courses can be found at the Center for Credit Programs Website.
See Center for Credit Programs Website or Office of Registrar.