Medical Imaging

Degree and Certificates Offered

  • Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences (B.S.)
    Concentration: Medical Imaging
  • Certificate in Computed Tomography Imaging (CERT)
  • Certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CERT)

Introduction

The Profession. Medical imaging professionals provide patient services using imaging techniques that assist the physician radiologist in disease and injury diagnosis and investigation. While performing complex procedures, they limit radiation exposure to patients, themselves, and to others. Medical imaging professionals exercise discretion and judgment in the performance of medical imaging procedures by adapting technical parameters to various techniques, exposure factors, anatomical structures, positioning and condition of the patient. They examine images to evaluate pertinent technical qualities and they initiate lifesaving first aid and basic life support procedures as necessary during medical emergencies.

Admission Procedure for Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Individuals who have completed an Associate of Science degree program in a medical imaging primary pathway (radiography, nuclear medicine, sonography, radiation therapy, or magnetic resonance imaging) can also choose to complete the baccalaureate degree with a concentration in Medical Imaging. Additionally, there is a choice of two emphases: Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

Students choosing the Bachelor of Science degree path must first declare Radiologic Sciences as their major at the time of University admission. The application deadline for admittance into the Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging program is posted on the Radiologic Sciences program Web site. Program information is provided upon request from the Radiologic Sciences Department at the UNM School of Medicine. Application submission is required directly to the Radiologic Sciences Program to include: references and transcripts from all prior colleges attended. A selection committee may choose 6-8 students for each program. The program’s selection process does not discriminate against any applicant based on sex, age, race, religion, creed, or national origin.

Individuals who have completed an associate's degree or higher and hold a primary certification may apply for admission to complete the B.S. Radiologic Sciences and/or certificate in Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Applicants must submit copies of all official transcripts to the University of New Mexico Office of Admissions.


Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences

  • Concentration: Medical Imaging

Credit hours required for graduation: 130.

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.

Requirements

  Credit
Hours
First Year Fall Semester
BIOL 123
-and-
BIOL 124L
Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors

Biology for Health Related Sciences and Non-Majors Lab
4
ENGL 110
(or ENGL 112;
or ENGL 113)
Accelerated Composition
(or Composition II;
or Enhanced Composition)
3
MATH 121 College Algebra 3
PSY 105 General Psychology 3
    13
Spring Semester  
ENGL 120 Composition III 3
CS 150L Computing for Business Students 3
BIOL 237 Human Anatomy and Physiology I for the Health Sciences 3
BIOL 247L Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory I 1
PHIL 245
-or-
PHIL 102
Professional Ethics

Current Moral Problems
3
  13
  Note: At this point, the student's completed and proposed coursework must be approved by the selection committee prior to continuing in this program.  
Second Year Summer Session  
RADS 330 Patient Care 2
RADS 331 Patient Care Lab I 1
RADS 381 Medical Language Systems Review 1
    4
Fall Semester  
BIOL 238 Human Anatomy and Physiology II for the Health Sciences 3
BIOL 248L Human Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory II 1
RADS 250 Introduction to Radiography 3
RADS 260 Radiographic Procedures I 3
    10
Spring Semester  
RADS 271 Radiographic Procedures II 6
RADS 398 Current Problems II 3
  Humanities or Fine Arts or Foreign Language (UNM Core Curriculum) 3
    12
Third Year Summer Term  
RADS 275 Clinical Radiography I 5
RADS 290 Principles of Radiographic Imaging 4
    9
Fall Semester  
RADS 355 Clinical Radiography II 6
RADS 382 Special Procedures 3
RADS *480 Human Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
CJ electives Choose from: CJ 221, CJ 314, CJ 320, CJ 323, CJ 344, CJ 450 6
    18
Spring Semester  
RADS 352 Radiologic Physics 3
RADS 365 Clinical Radiography III 6
RADS 391 Radiographic Pathology/Biology 4
    13
Fourth Year Summer Session  
RADS 390 Clinical Radiography IV 5
RADS 399 Comprehensive Radiography Reviews 2
    7

  
NOTE: When all of the above coursework has been satisfactorily completed, the student is eligible to take the certification examination from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiography. The student is strongly encouraged to take this examination at this point. 

Emphases

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Computed Tomography
    Credit
Hours
  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Emphasis  
Fourth Year Fall Semester  
RADS 405 Medical Imaging Theory II 3
RADS 406 Medical Imaging Theory III 3
RADS 450 Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging I 3
RADS 460 MRI Clinical I 3
    12
  Spring Semester  
RADS 406 Medical Imaging Theory III 3
RADS 451 Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging II 3
RADS 461 MRI Clinical II 3
RADS 481 Medical Imaging Pathology 3
    12
  Summer Session  
RADS 452 MRI Physics Review 1
RADS 462 MRI Clinical III 3
    4
Computed Tomography Emphasis  
Fourth Year Fall Semester  
RADS 405 Medical Imaging Theory II 3
RADS 406 Medical Imaging Theory III 3
RADS 410 Physics of Computed Tomography 3
RADS 420 Computed Tomography Clinical I 3
    12
  Spring Semester  
RADS 406 Medical Imaging Theory III 3
RADS 411 Physics of Computed Tomography II 3
RADS 421 Computed Tomography Clinical II 3
RADS 481 Medical Imaging Pathology 3
    12
  Summer Term  
RADS 412 Computed Tomography Physics Review 1
RADS 422 Computed Tomography Clinical III 3
    4


NOTE: RADS courses may be taken only by those enrolled in the Radiologic Sciences program.

Students are expected to have completed some of these courses before entering the program. They are listed here to show total credit hours. All required general education courses should be completed by the end of the first spring semester.


Certificate in Computed Tomography Imaging

Introduction

This 12-month program is an advanced specialty course intended for advanced imaging specialists who desire specific training in CT. The CT Certificate Program at the University of New Mexico is designed to prepare those individuals interested in sitting for the: 1) America Registry of Radiologic Technologists Computed Tomography (CT) specialty exam.

Credit
Hours
Fall Semester
RADS 410 Physics of Computed Tomography 3
RADS 420 Computed Tomography Clinical I 3
RADS *480 Human Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
    9
Spring Semester
RADS 411 Physics of Computed Tomography II 3
RADS 421 Computed Tomography Clinical II 3
RADS 481 Medical Imaging Pathology 3
9
Summer Term
RADS 412 Computed Tomography Physics Review 1
RADS 422 Computed Tomography Clinical III 3
    4

Certificate in Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Introduction

This 12-month program is an advanced specialty course intended for advanced imaging specialists who desire specific training in MRI. The MRI Certificate Program at the University of New Mexico is designed to prepare those individuals interested in sitting for the: 1) America Registry of Radiologic Technologists MRI specialty exam.

Credit
Hours
Fall Semester
RADS 450 Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging I 3
RADS 460 MRI Clinical I 3
RADS *480 Human Cross Sectional Anatomy 3
    9
Spring Semester  
RADS 451 Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging II 3
RADS 461 MRI Clinical II 3
RADS 481 Medical Imaging Pathology 3
Summer Term  
RADS 452 MRI Physics Review 1
RADS 462 MRI Clinical III 3
    4

Courses

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 380. Nuclear Medicine Cross Sectional Anatomy. (2)



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 412. Nuclear Radiation Biology. (2)



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



RADS 330. Patient Care. (2)



RADS 331. Patient Care Lab. (1)



RADS 378. Current Problems I. (3)



RADS 381. Medical Language Systems Review. (1)



RADS 398. Current Problems II. (3)



RADS 405. Medical Imaging Theory II. (3)



RADS 406. Medical Imaging Theory III. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)



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)



RADS *480. Human Cross Sectional Anatomy. (3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)



RADS 481. Medical Imaging Pathology. (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