Programs in Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Certificate Program

Introduction

Nuclear Medicine Technologists require a wider base of skills with which to compete in today’s job market. The goal of the Nuclear Medicine Program is to provide the technologist with skills necessary to perform the complex diagnostic procedures involved with this field.

This North Central Association of Colleges and School (NCA) accredited program in Nuclear Medicine imaging provides the student with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform complex diagnostic procedures involving the in vitro and in vivo use of radiopharmaceuticals and state-of-the-art nuclear instrumentation. Enrollment is limited to two - eight students each year. The course of study begins in the summer and ends after four consecutive semesters of clinical and didactic experience at The University of New Mexico Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital and Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student receives a certificate in Nuclear Medicine imaging and is eligible to sit for national certifying examinations given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.

The PET/CT Certificate Program at the University of New Mexico is a certificate program designed to prepare those individuals interested in sitting for the:

  1. Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) Positron Emission Tomography (PET) specialty exam.
  2. America Registry of Radiologic Technologists Computed Tomography (CT) specialty exam.

Admission Requirements

  1. Applicant must meet The University of New Mexico admission requirements (refer to UNM Catalog).
  2. While competitive grade point averages are usually higher, each applicant must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 in post-secondary coursework.
  3. A completed application, three letters of recommendation, three reference forms, and official transcripts must be received by January 31st of each year for acceptance into the program the following summer (Nuclear Medicine Certificate), fall (PET/CT).
  4. Students participating in the PET/CT Certificate Program must be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB).
  5. The program selection committee will conduct a personal interview with each qualified student candidate.
  6. Applicant must have a baccalaureate degree with course work in physics, chemistry, anatomy and physiology and/or ethics; or hold certification as a Radiologic Technologist, Registered Nurse or Medical Technologist; or undergraduate applicant must complete the prerequisites described under Pre-professional Curriculum prior to entry into the program.
  7. Employment reference checks may be required for application process. A background check will be performed through the State of New Mexico upon acceptance into the program.
  8. If completing the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, Concentration Nuclear Medicine, coursework will be determined based upon prior courses completed.
  9. The University of New Mexico and the Radiologic Sciences Program does not discriminate against any applicant based on sex, age, race, religion, creed, or national origin.

Required Prerequisites

Basic Sciences  
 
Biology: BIOL 123/124L 4 w/lab
Anatomy/Physiology: BIOL 237 and 247L, 238 and 248L
8 w/lab
Physics/General: MATH 150 3
 
PHYC 151 3
Chemistry: CHEM 121 and 123L 4
  CHEM 122 and 124L 4
  and/or  
  CHEM 212 Integr Org Chem + Bioch  
Microbiology: BIOL 239L 4
Liberal Arts  
 
English: ENGL 101 and 102
6
Professional Ethics: PHIL 245 or 102 3
General Psychology: PSY 105 or Soc 101 3
Computer Science: CS 150L or 201 3

Nuclear Medicine Imaging Certificate Program*

Program Curriculum

Summer Semester    
NUCM 315 Radiation Safety 2
HSCI 381 Medical Language Systems Review 1
HSCI 330 Patient Care 2
HSCI 331 Patient Care Lab 1
    6
Fall Semester    
NUCM 320 Clinical Nuclear Technology I 4
NUCM 354 Clinical Radiopharmacy 3
NUCM 375 Nuclear Physics and Instrumentation 3
NUCM 360 Imaging Instrumentation I 3
HSCI *480 Human Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
    16
Spring Semester    
NUCM 365 Clinical Nuclear Technology II 4
NUCM 385 Imaging Instrumentation II 3
NUCM 390 In Vitro Nuclear Medicine 2
NUCM 392 Pathology Seminar 4
NUCM 396 Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging I 3
    16
Summer Semester    
NUCM 400 Clinical Nuclear Technology III 4
NUCM 412 Nuclear Radiation Biology
2
NUCM 415 Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging II 2
    8

 
* These courses may only be taken by students approved by the Radiologic Sciences Program.


Positron Emission Tomography Certificate Program

Program Curriculum

Those eligible for this program are active NMTCB, ARRT(N), or CAMRT(RTNM) certified. This program is a part-time or full-time program of clinic and classroom instruction. Students must apply and are admitted once a year. The program is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The PET/CT certificate program provides the student with the knowledge and skills required to perform the necessary diagnostic procedures. For those who have already completed a certified Nuclear Medicine Program, this course work is required to be transferable from another institution.

Summer Semester (1)
   
NUCM 409
Introduction to PET
3
 
 
3
Fall Semester  
 
NUCM 410 PET Clinical I
3
 
 
3
Spring Semester
NUCM 420 PET Clinical II 3
NUCM 430 Essentials of PET Imaging 3
6
Summer Semester (2)
 
 
NUCM 440 PET Clinical III 2, may be repeated once
NUCM 450
PET Review
2
4
Total credit hours 16

Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences–Concentration in Nuclear Medicine

Admission Requirements

Students choosing the Bachelor of Science degree path must first complete the first two years of course work listed in the degree plan. In the spring semester of the second year, application is made to the Radiologic Sciences department for acceptance into the Bachelor of Science degree program.

Individuals who have completed a certified Nuclear Medicine Imaging program may also apply for admission to complete the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Sciences degree. Applicants must complete a departmental application, an application to the University of New Mexico, be accepted and submit copies of all transcripts to the Radiologic Sciences Department.

Program Curriculum

Hours required for graduation: 135

     NOTE: To count towards graduation credit hours, the minimum grade point average must be 2.50 and each course must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (does not include “C-”). Courses may be taken in a different order with approval from the student’s advisor.

  
First Year- Fall Semester
 
ENGL 101 Composition I: Exposition 3
MATH 150 Pre-Calculus Mathematics 3
BIOL 123-124L Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors/Lab 4
PSY 105 General Psychology 3
ECON 105 Introductory Macroeconomics 3
    16
 
Spring Semester
 
ENGL 102 Composition II: Analysis and Argument 3
CS 150L Computing for Business Students 3
BIOL 237 Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences 3
BIOL 247L Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory I 1
PHIL 245 Professional Ethics 3
-or-   
 
PHIL 102 Current Moral Problems  
ECON 106 Introductory Microeconomics 3
    16
 
Second Year- Fall Semester
 
BIOL 238 Human Anatomy and Physiology II for the Health Sciences 3
BIOL 248L Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory II 1
CHEM 121-123L General Chemistry 4
PHYC 151 General Physics 3
 
Hum/Fine Arts/Lang elective 3
 
Free elective (UNM Core Curriculum) 3
 
 
17
 
Spring Semester
 
BIOL 239L Microbiology for Health Sciences 4
CHEM 122-124L General Chemistry 4
-or-  
 
CHEM 212  Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry  
ENGL 219 Technical and Professional Writing 3
 
 Hum/Fine Arts/Lang elective (UNM Core Curriculum)
3
    14
  Note: At this point, the student's completed and proposed course work must be approved by the selection committee prior to continuing this program.  
  Third Year- Summer semester  
HSCI 381 Medical Language Systems Review 1
NUCM 315 Radiation Safety 2
HSCI 330 Patient Care 2
HSCI 331 Patient Care Lab 1
    6
  Fall Semester  
NUCM 320 Clinical Nuclear Technology I 4
NUCM 354 Clinical Radiopharmacy 3
NUCM 375 Nuclear Physics and Instrumentation 3
NUCM 360 Imaging Instrumentation I 3
HSCI *480 Human Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
     16
  Spring Semester  
NUCM 365 Clinical Nuclear Technology II 4
NUCM 385 Imaging Instrumentation II 3
NUCM 390 In Vitro Nuclear Medicine 2
NUCM 392 Pathology Seminar (1) 4
NUCM 396 Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging I 3
    16
  Fourth Year- Summer Semester  
NUCM 400 Clinical Nuclear Technology III 4
NUCM 412 Nuclear Radiation Biology 2
NUCM 415 Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging II 2
  Note: When all of the above coursework has been satisfactorily completed, the student is eligible to take the certification examinations from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB). The student is strongly encouraged to take these examinations at this point.  
  Fourth Year- Fall semester  
CJ 221 Interpersonal Communication 3
MGMT 308 Ethical, Political and Social Environment 3
HSCI 378 Current Problems I 3
ECON 335 Health Economics 3
    12
  Spring Semester  
CJ 344 Interviewing 3
HSCI 399 Current Problems II 3
HSCI 405 Medical Imaging Theory II 3
  Hum/Fine Arts/Lang elective 3
    12

Courses

HSCI 330. Patient Care. (2)



HSCI 331. Patient Care Lab. (1)



HSCI 378. Current Problems I. (3)



HSCI 381. Medical Language Systems Review. (1)



HSCI 399. Current Problems II. (3)



HSCI 405. Medical Imaging Theory II. (3)



HSCI 406. Medical Imaging Theory III. (3 to a maximum of 9 ∆)



HSCI *480. Human Cross Sectional Anatomy. (3)



NUCM 315. Radiation Safety. (2)



NUCM 320. Clinical Nuclear Technology I. (4)



NUCM 354. Clinical Radiopharmacy. (3)



NUCM 360. Imaging Instrumentation I. (3)



NUCM 365. Clinical Nuclear Technology II. (4)



NUCM 375. Nuclear Physics and Instrumentation. (3)



NUCM 385. Imaging Instrumentation II. (3)



NUCM 390. In Vitro Nuclear Medicine. (2)



NUCM 392. Pathology Seminar. (4)



NUCM 396. Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging I. (3)



NUCM 400. Clinical Nuclear Technology III. (4)



NUCM 409. Introduction to PET. (3)



NUCM 410. Positron Emission Tomography Clinical I. (3)



NUCM 412. Nuclear Radiation Biology. (2)



NUCM 415. Essentials of Nuclear Medicine Imaging II. (2)



NUCM 420. Positron Emission Tomography Clinical II. (3)



NUCM 430. Essentials of PET Imaging. (3)



NUCM 440. Positron Emission Tomography Clinical III. (2 to a maximum of 4 Δ)



NUCM 450. Positron Emission Tomography Review. (2)



RADS 250. Introduction to Radiography. (3)



RADS 260. Radiographic Procedures I. (3)



RADS 352. Radiologic Physics. (3)



RADS 365. Clinical Radiography III. (6)



RADS 391. Radiographic Pathology/Biology. (4)



RADS 410. Physics of Computed Tomography. (3)



RADS 411. Physics of Computed Tomography II. (3)



RADS 412. Computed Tomography Physics Review. (1)



RADS 420. Computed Tomography Clinical I. (3)



RADS 421. Computed Tomography Clinical II. (3)



RADS 422. Computed Tomography Clinical III. (3)



RADS 450. Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging I. (3)



RADS 451. Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging II. (3)



RADS 452. MRI Physics Review. (1)



RADS 460. MRI Clinical I. (3)



RADS 461. MRI Clinical II. (3)



RADS 462. MRI Clinical III. (3)



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Office of the Registrar

MSC 11 6325
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 277-8900
Fax: (505) 277-6809