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:

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

Admission Requirements

Applicant must meet The University of New Mexico admission requirements (refer to UNM Catalog).
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.
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).
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).
The program selection committee will conduct a personal interview with each qualified student candidate.
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.
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.
If completing the Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, Concentration Nuclear Medicine, coursework will be determined based upon prior courses completed.
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