Aurora St. Luke's Medical
Center School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
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Curriculum
Overview
The curriculum consists of both academic and clinical
components and is based on nineteen(19) months of full-time
study. The program is divided into five semesters.
Semester one is 24 weeks. Semester two and four are
twenty weeks. Semester
three is eight weeks. Semester five is four weeks. Our
curriculum is based on the Standards and Guidelines for an Accredited
Educational Program for the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer established
by the following organizations:
- American College of Cardiology
- American College of Radiology
- American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
- American Society of Echocardiography
- American Society of Radiologic Technology
- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
- Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Society of Vascular Technology
The faculty presents the curriculum through formal lecture,
laboratory and clinical applications to enhance the learning experience.
Written and practical tests are administered at defined intervals. A
syllabus that outlines course goals, requirements and lecture schedule
is distributed at the beginning of each course. The preparation of Case
Study projects is a regularly scheduled program requirement.
Course descriptions
The core curriculum defines several major modules of ultrasound
education. All lectures are correlated with scan lab demonstration and
practice for each organ system. Each module of instruction includes the
following components:
- Terminology
- Gross and Sectional Anatomy
- Physiology and pathophysiology
- Clinical Medicine
- Sonographic Pathology
- Sonographic Technique
Clinical education
The clinical component of our program allows students to rotate
through all aspects of general and vascular sonography. Students
progress in competence and ability on an individual basis and within
the guidelines set forth by program faculty. A total of 19
competencies must be achieved during the duration of the program.
In addition, specialty rotations have been designed in order to
broaden the scope of the student's clinical experiences.
SEMESTER I Introduction to Diagnostic Medical
Sonography (3 credits)
Orientation encompasses the first four (4) weeks of training. Course
content includes emphasis on personal adaptation skills, nursing
skills and staff development issues. An introduction to basic
sonographic terminology, techniques, ultrasound physics, scanning
techniques and abdominal sonography form the framework for future
study.
Abdominal Sonography 1 (5 credits)
This course focuses on the upper abdomen to include blood vessels,
liver, gall bladder, biliary system and pancreas. Physiology,
pathology, and related laboratory values are emphasized and
correlated with sonographic findings. Abdominal Sonography 2
(5 credits)
This course focuses on the upper abdomen to include kidneys, spleen,
adrenal glands and retroperitoneum. Physiology, pathology, and
related laboratory values are emphasized and correlated with
sonographic findings. The use and importance of color and spectral
Doppler will be emphasized. Each student must formally present one
case study during this semester. Clinical Education I (4
credits)
This course focuses on an introduction to sonographic scanning,
beginning abdominal technique and development of clinical skills.
Sonographic technique is also practiced during routinely scheduled
scan lab sessions, which are conducted by the program faculty.
SEMESTER II Pelvic Sonography (3 credits)
This course focuses on the normal gross, relational, cross sectional
and sonographic anatomy of the non-gravid female pelvis. Physiology,
pathology, and related laboratory values are emphasized and
correlated with sonographic findings. Obstetrical Sonography 1
(5 credits)
This course focuses on the gravid uterus and developing fetus.
Normal gross, relational, cross-sectional and sonographic anatomy
will be discussed. Gestational dating methods, measurements, fetal
and maternal health, placenta and multiple pregnancies are
considered. Lectures are correlated with practical clinical
experience.
Obstetrical Sonography 2 (5 credits)
This course encompasses the disease states and toxins affecting both
the developing fetus and the mother. Abnormal fetal development,
anatomy and anomalies are emphasized. Lectures are correlated with
practical clinical experience. Each student must formally present
one case study during this semester.
Clinical Education II (5 credits)
This course will focus on the mastery of abdominal and pelvis/transvaginal
scanning, and development of obstetrical scanning skills.
Sonographic technique is also practiced during routinely scheduled
scan lab sessions, which are conducted by the program faculty.
Ultrasound Physics (2 credits)
This course focuses on mathematical principals, the characteristics
of sound and the mechanism of sonographic image production and
display. Potential biological effects and safety are discussed
together with the practical application of physical concepts.
SEMESTER III Specialized Sonography (4 credits)
This course focuses on neonatal cranial anatomy, musculoskeletal
imaging and small parts, to include, breast, thyroid and testicles
(including male pelvic anatomy and protate). Physiology, pathology
and related laboratory and imaging findings are discussed.
Sonographic findings in superficial abscesses and cysts will be
reviewed. Pathologic findings encountered during the Neurosonography
exam will be correlated with possible causative etiologies. Each
student must formally present one case study during this semester.
Clinical Education III (2 credits)
This course focuses on the refinement of abdominal, pelvic,
obstetrical and small parts scanning skills. Sonographic technique
is also practiced during routinely scheduled scan lab sessions,
which are conducted by the program faculty.
SEMESTER IV Vascular Sonography 1 (6 credits)
This course focuses on the vascular system to include
cerebrovascular and upper and lower extremity venous. Mechanisms
of disease, unique to the vascular system, as well as the
relationship between cardiovascular disease and the health of other
organ systems will be discussed. Correlation of laboratory findings
and etiologies of disease will be covered. Doppler principles, and
vascular hemodynamics are presented. Various vascular scanning
techniques will be discussed. Lectures are correlated with scan lab
demonstration and practice for each system. Vascular Sonography
2 (6 credits)
This course focuses on the vascular system to include upper and
lower extremity arterial, visceral vascular, organ transplants, and
penile Doppler. Mechanisms of disease, unique to the vascular
system, as well as the relationship between cardiovascular disease
and the health of other organ systems will be discussed. Correlation
of laboratory findings and etiologies of disease will be covered.
Advanced vascular scanning will be discussed. A short correlation of
statistical data and vascular testing will be covered. Lectures are
correlated with scan lab demonstration and practice for each system.
Clinical Education IV (5 credits)
The focus of this course is vascular sonographic procedures as well
as the mastery of abdominal, pelvic, obstetrical and small parts
scanning skills. Sonographic technique is also practiced during
routinely scheduled scan lab sessions, which are conducted by the
program faculty.
SEMESTER V Professional Development (2 credits)
This course focuses on content review and preparation for the
sonography boards. This course will provide the student with the
opportunity to improve test-taking skills in preparation for the
examination of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical
Sonography. Review of job-hunting techniques, interview questions
and resume writing provide the student with skills needed when seeking
employment. An
overview of professional behavior and standards will be reviewed at
this time. Student participation during this course is mandatory.
Clinical Education V (2 credits)
This course focuses on the mastery of all previously learned
concentrations. Scan labs are no longer administered. All remaining
competencies must be completed prior to the end of this semester.
Students should demonstrate the ability to perform at a level that
does not require direct supervision.
Evaluation of clinical performance
Each semester, the student's clinical performance is assessed.
The clinical evaluation encompasses assessment of skills: scanning
ability, equipment manipulation, patient care as well as the
student's professional growth. The clinical components of the
semester grade include instructor and clinical site evaluations,
proficiencies, competencies, and scan lab participation. Excessive
absenteeism and tardiness will affect the student's grade.
Grading policy
The student must maintain a minimum letter grade of C in all
academic and clinical courses in order to earn course credits and
remain in good standing. The student's academic and clinical
progress is evaluated at the conclusion of each semester. All
academic and clinical grades, with the exception of physics, are
determined as a numeric value and transferred to a letter grade. The
numeric, letter, and descriptive relationships are as follows:
| Numeric Grade |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point |
Clinical Performance |
| 100 - 95 |
A |
4.0 |
Significant Strength |
| 94 - 90 |
B |
3.0 |
Proficient |
| 89 -85 |
C |
2.0 |
Competent |
| Below 85 |
U |
< 2.0 |
Needs Development |
The level and pace of the coursework for Ultrasound Physics and
Instrumentation merits identification as advanced coursework and as such
the following grading scale is used:
| Numeric Grade |
Letter Grade |
Grade Point |
Clinical Performance |
| 100 - 90 |
A |
4.0 |
Significant Strength |
| 89 - 80 |
B |
3.0 |
Proficient |
| 79 -70 |
C |
2.0 |
Competent |
| Below 70 |
U |
< 2.0 |
Needs Development |
Probationary Period Semester 1 Academic
- Student status during the following courses is considered
probationary
- Students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on all required
coursework, as evidenced by a minimum letter grade of C or better
- Failure to meet the program standard for either course will result
in termination from the program
Clinical
- Student status during Clinical I is considered probationary
- Students must achieve a minimum letter grade of C better for each of the
following components of the clinical education which include, but are
not limited to:
- Competency
- Proficiency
- Scan Lab
- Clinical Evaluation
- Attendance
- Routine Paperwork
Failure to meet the program standard in any of the areas listed above
will result in termination from the program.
Graduation
The following criteria must be met to graduate:
- The student must earn all necessary credits
- The student must successfully complete all identified
clinical competencies
- The student must achieve all required exit
outcomes/competencies
- The student must fulfill any monetary agreements made with
the department and/or the medical center. This includes full
payment of tuition and fees.
- The student must return all departmental and/or medical
center property prior to leaving on the final day of scheduled
attendance.
Upon successful fulfillment of these criteria, the student
receives a certificate of graduation and a pin, indicating the
status of Graduate of Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center School of
Diagnostic Medical Sonography. This certificate enables the
graduate to apply for registration through the American Registry
for Diagnostic Medical Sonography. |
