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
		9
	Summer Term
RADS 452	MRI Physics Review	1
RADS 462	MRI Clinical III	3
		4