Cardiovascular Sonography, BS

Prerequisites: Admitted into Sonography program

This course provides an advanced study of algebraic methods and prepares students for further studies in mathematics and physics. Content of the course starts with a review of basic concepts of algebra, and then it intensifies the study of the following topics: equations, inequalities, polynomials, exponents, logarithms, and the concept of functions and their graphs.

Prerequisite: MAT 110

Prerequisite: BIO 225 
Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 101 or program-based waiver for chemistry

Prerequisites: MAT 110

PSY 101 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

This course offers students an engaging introduction to the essential topics in the field of psychology. Throughout this scientific study of human behavior and the mind, students will survey and gain insight into the history of the field of psychology, as well as explore current theories and issues in areas such as wellness, emotion, cognition, motivation, perception, consciousness, social, personality and memory.

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PSY 215 LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT

The Lifespan perspective involves several basic contentions: development is life-long, multidimensional, multi-directional, plastic, historically embedded, multi-disciplinary and contextual. Three imperative developmental issues are explored: maturation and experience, continuity and discontinuity and stability and change. Students study how humans develop and how they become who they are.

This course provides a foundational overview of cardiac ultrasound, with an emphasis on clinical relevance and diagnostic precision. Students will gain a thorough understanding of normal cardiac anatomy and physiology, the cardiac conduction system, and ischemic heart disease.  Designed to prepare students for more advanced echocardiographic techniques, this course supports the development of critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in a cardiovascular imaging context.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

Taught alongside CVS 220 Echocardiography I, this course provides students with foundational imaging skills through hands-on training in system knobology and ultrasound techniques. Students learn to perform various cardiac imaging views while integrating didactic knowledge with practical laboratory experience. Emphasis is placed on developing technical proficiency and a deeper understanding of cardiac ultrasound applications in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

This course provides a comprehensive foundation in vascular ultrasound, with a focus on clinical application and diagnostic accuracy. Students will examine carotid anatomy, explore common pathologies, and review surgical interventions related to the carotid system. The course also covers lower extremity venous anatomy and associated vascular conditions. Through the use of case studies and preliminary report analysis, students will learn to correlate patient signs and symptoms with ultrasound findings, developing critical thinking and interpretive skills essential to vascular imaging.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed 

Taught alongside CVS 221 Vascular Ultrasound I, this course provides students with foundational imaging skills through hands-on training in system knobology and ultrasound techniques. Students learn to perform carotid and lower extremity venous exams while integrating didactic knowledge with practical laboratory experience. Emphasis is placed on developing technical proficiency and a deeper understanding of vascular ultrasound applications in clinical practice.

Prerequisites: Program prerequisites completed

This course facilitates the student’s entry into diagnostic medical sonography. Students explore personal and professional values in relation to the healthcare setting. Students acquire skills to assist them with time management, building critical thinking skills, and the ability to professionally communicate in the field of sonography.

Prerequisites: SCI 200 or BIO 226

In this advanced course, students deepen their understanding of vascular anatomy, hemodynamics, physiology, and pathophysiology. Building on foundational knowledge, the course emphasizes detailed exploration of venous anatomy and pathology, with a focus on the upper extremity venous system. Students will also examine a variety of diagnostic techniques used to evaluate upper and lower extremity arterial systems, gaining insight into arterial anatomy and associated pathologies. Through integrated didactic and clinical components, students enhance their ability to analyze vascular conditions and apply appropriate testing protocols in a diagnostic setting.

Prerequisites: DMS 306, CVS 221, CVS 221L

This laboratory course serves as a practical supplement to CVS 322 Vascular Ultrasound II. It enables students to deepen their understanding of vascular ultrasound techniques introduced in the didactic course. Through hands-on practice, students will refine their imaging skills, focusing on advanced venous scanning, arterial imaging, and various non-imaging vascular testing procedures. The course is designed to build proficiency in these specialized areas, preparing students for more complex diagnostic scenarios.

Prerequisites: DMS 306, CVS 220, CVS 220L

This course provides an in-depth study of valvular heart disease and the corresponding sonographic assessment techniques. Students will examine various types of valve pathology, including stenosis, regurgitation, structural abnormalities and infective endocarditis. The course also covers valvular interventions including prosthetic valves and devices.  Emphasis will also include congestive heart failure, and the fundamentals of diastolic function assessment. In addition, students will be introduced to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), including its clinical applications and associated imaging views. 

Prerequisites: CVS 220, CVS 220L

In conjunction with CVS 325 Echocardiography II, students will further their imaging skills by learning how to perform the apical, subcostal and suprasternal notch windows.  Students will learn how to assess cardiac function, valve area, stenosis and regurgitation in both qualitative and quantitative methods.

Prerequisites: CVS 220, CVS 220L

This lab reinforces essential concepts and skills from previous echocardiography and vascular labs, allowing students to actively practice scanning techniques across each ultrasound modality.

Prerequisites: CVS 220L, CVS 221L

This course continues where DMS 206 leaves off. The following sonographic principles are covered: real-time imaging, pulse echo instrumentation, displays and image processing, dynamic range, harmonics and contrast agents, hemodynamics, Doppler principles, Doppler optimization, artifacts, quality assurance and bioeffects. 

Prerequisites: DMS 206

Beginning Healthcare Spanish

This course will provide basic knowledge of the Spanish language and Latino culture, and emphasize the importance of this knowledge as it relates to healthcare in the United States. The student will demonstrate an ability to express ideas and thoughts in Spanish using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills in a culturally competent manner. In addition, the student will develop strategies to continue acquiring proficiency with the Spanish language beyond this course.

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American Sign Language Basic Skills

This course presents practical communication skills needed for health professionals working with deaf clients. Everyday communication is the centerpiece of every lesson. Topics revolve around sharing information which is vital in the healthcare industry. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answering skills that would occur between healthcare professional and patient. Students will learn conversational strategies to help maintain a conversation with deaf patients. Students will appreciate the diversity of deaf people and their culture. Interaction activities will allow students to rehearse what they’ve learned.

Students are assigned to the clinical setting to begin their hands-on experience performing sonographic procedures and practice patient care skills. The student will start to develop skills to carry out sonographic examinations and gain the ability to recognize normal and abnormal sonographic patterns. The student will work closely with their clinical preceptor, as well as other staff technologists. Students will begin to perform examinations including transthoracic echocardiography, carotid duplex, lower extremity venous and arterial duplex, upper extremity venous and arterial duplex, ankle/brachial indices and segmental arterial pressures. Correlation of theory to practice is measured through attendance, clinical logs, and evaluations.

Prerequisites: DMS 306, CVS 325, CVS 325L, CVS 322, CVS 322L

This course explores a wide range of complex cardiac conditions, including various cardiomyopathies, pericardial effusion, intracardiac thrombus and tumors and cardiac assist devices.   Additionally cardiac embryology, fetal cardiac circulation and congenital heart disease are studied. Emphasis is placed on correlating clinical signs and symptoms with echocardiographic findings. Through case studies and the interpretation of preliminary reports, students will develop diagnostic reasoning skills essential for effective clinical practice. 

Prerequisites: CVS 325, CVS 325L

This advanced lab is designed to prepare students for their clinical rotation by teaching them how to evaluate a variety of cardiac diseases. The student will use their critical thinking skills and knowledge gained in CVS 327 Echocardiography III to properly evaluate a variety of cardiac abnormalities by performing the correct and accurate measurements. The student will be performing complete exams in a timely manner while also creating accurate preliminary reports.

Prerequisites: CVS 325, CVS 325L

This course builds on foundational vascular concepts by exploring a range of advanced vascular pathologies and diagnostic applications. Topics include abdominal vascular evaluations, preoperative vein mapping, penile Doppler studies, and transcranial Doppler imaging. Additional specialized vascular conditions and assessment techniques are also discussed, equipping students with the skills necessary for comprehensive vascular imaging in diverse clinical settings.

Prerequisites: CVS 322, CVS 322L

Taught in conjunction with CVS 328 Vascular Ultrasound III, this course helps students advance their imaging skills by training them to perform abdominal exams, transcranial imaging, and other specialized assessments. Students integrate didactic knowledge with practical scanning experience in the laboratory, enhancing both their technical abilities and understanding of vascular ultrasound applications.

Prerequisites: CVS 322, CVS 322L

In this course, students identify key parts of an EKG rhythm and the steps to interpreting a variety of cardiac rhythm strips. This course focuses on EKG theory and interpretation. The student learns how to perform an EKG on a patient, as well as identify basic rhythms and the components of an EKG. Students review case studies throughout this course. 

Prerequisites: CVS 322

Students are assigned to the clinical setting to begin advancing their hands-on experience performing sonographic procedures and practice patient care skills. The student begins to develop skills to carry out sonographic examinations and gains the ability to recognize normal and abnormal sonographic patterns. The student works closely with their clinical preceptor, as well as other staff technologists. Students begin to perform examinations including transthoracic echocardiograms, carotid duplex, lower extremity venous and arterial duplex, upper extremity venous and arterial duplex, ankle/brachial indices and segmental arterial pressures. Correlation of theory to practice is measured through attendance, clinical logs and evaluations.

Prerequisites: CVS 310

Prerequisites: CVS 310

Prerequisite: COR 101

As a continuation of Clinical Practicum I, students continue to develop their sonography skills under the supervision of their clinical preceptor. The student more actively participates in examinations, daily lab functions, and patient care. In addition, students continue to perform examinations in cardiac and vascular sonography.

Prerequisites: CVS 281 

Students will be required to take an ARDMS specialty examination (Adult Echocardiography or Vascular Technology) as part of this course prior to graduation. This course will assist students in the transition from student sonographer to professional sonographer, including ARDMS registry exam preparation. Additional topics such as resume writing, and interview skills are discussed.

Prerequisites: CVS 281

Prerequisite: COR 201

This course serves as an informative platform to update sonographers on the latest technologies of cardiovascular imaging. The course explores 3D ultrasound imaging modes, strain imaging, the latest heart and vascular interventional techniques and more. This course utilizes relevant journal articles and case studies to provide the sonographer with the most recent advancements in their field of study. 

Prerequisites: Associate degree earned from an accredited sonography program or meets professional licensure requirements

Prerequisite: Associate degree earned from an accredited sonography program or meets professional licensure requirements

Prerequisite: COR 301 or COR 290 or COR 291 

Prerequisite: COR 301