FUNDAMENTALS OF RADIOLOGIC PHYSICS
This course will begin in the 1st semester of the first year and will discuss the principles of basic physics, the fundamental concepts of the structure of matter, the production and use of electrostatics, electromagnetism and electrodynamics, and the principles of radiation. 
Prerequisite: program acceptance
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 23 weeks = 70 hours (1st semester)

 

MEDICAL RADIATION PHYSICS and QUALTIY ASSURANCE
This course is designed to provide the student with knowledge of medical physics as related to diagnostic imaging and equipment. Subjects covered are: electromagnetism and radiation, overview of radiation measurement and protection, x-ray machines and production, interactions of x-rays with matter, scatter reduction and collimation, film screens and processing, image quality indicators, geometry and magnification, xeroradiography, mammography, fluoroscopy, introduction to computers and radiology application, digital fluoroscopy and DSA, Computed Tomography, ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Digital and Computed Radiography, and Quality Assurance and Management.
Quality Assurance is the laboratory portion of this course and is designed to instruct the student to perform routine Q.A. testing on radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment and associated support equipment. Students are familiarized with equipment used for Q.A. testing and how to evaluate results. This course is incorporated into and presented in collaboration with MRP II.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Fundamentals of Radiologic Physics
Clock Hours: 3 hrs/week x 30 weeks = 90 hours (Physics Portion)
                   2 hrs/week x 25 weeks = 50 hours (Q.A. Portion)
                   Total course hours = 140 hours (3rd and 4th semester)

 

PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING I
An introduction to the fundamentals of exposure factor selection and imaging parameters, this course will introduce the student to the equipment and technique utilized for radiographic imaging. Material covered includes films and screens, the x-ray tube and circuitry, the Image Intensifier tube and fluoroscopy, and x-ray production. Supervised laboratory sessions utilizing energized radiographic equipment are utilized to reinforce concepts and allow for hands-on equipment use.
Prerequisite: Program acceptance
Clock hours: 3 hrs/week x 24 weeks =72 hours (1st semester)

 

PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING II
A continuation of Radiographic Imaging I, this course builds on the foundation of basic equipment and imaging methods to include the specifics of image production and evaluation. Units covered include: exposure factor selection and technique charts, the prime factors, image quality factors, automatic exposure control and the radiographic grid. Laboratory sessions will be utilized to assist in the transfer of knowledge from classroom to clinical practice.
Prerequisite: Principals of Radiographic Imaging I
Clock hours: 3 hours/week x 24 weeks = 72 hours (2nd semester)

 

PRINCIPLES OF RADIOGRAPHIC IMAGING III
With increased emphasis on the clinical situation, students will learn problem solving techniques to evaluate and correct the radiographic image. Specific units covered include beam collimation and filtration, film sensitometry, automatic film processing, and tomography. Classroom, laboratory, and clinical practice enhance the student’s understanding of the development and use of exposure factors and radiographic imaging equipment. Increased emphasis will be placed on image evaluation and problem solving in the clinical environment.
Prerequisite: Principals of Radiographic Imaging II
Clock hours: 72 hours (3rd semester)

 

RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES I
This course is designed to prepare students to accurately position patients for diagnostic Radiologic procedures and to prepare the necessary equipment and contrast media for each procedure. The course is divided into two sections, taught simultaneously by two different instructors. One section deals primarily with the skeletal system, central nervous system, and vascular procedures. The other section deals with the major organ system positioning and procedures, and special imaging procedures. Topographic and sectional anatomy as well as image evaluation related to each positioning section is also covered. Patient positioning and procedure routines for the chest, abdomen, upper and lower extremities are covered during this 1st semester course.
Classroom, laboratory and clinical practice enhance learning in conjunction with the completed units of this course.
Prerequisite: Program acceptance
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 24 weeks = 72 hours (1st semester)

 

RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES II
This course is a continuation Radiographic Procedures I and covers patient positioning and procedure set-ups and routines for contrast imaging of the gastrointestinal system and the urinary system, and positioning and procedures for the axial skeleton.
Classroom, laboratory and clinical practice enhance learning in conjunction with the completed units of this course.
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures I
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 24 weeks = 72 hours (2nd semester)

 

RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES III
This course is a continuation of Radiographic Procedures II and covers imaging of the skull, nasal and facial bones, lymphangiography, hepatobiliary system imaging, mammography, vascular imaging procedures, myelography and non-routine orthopedic imaging. Classroom, laboratory and clinical practice enhance learning in conjunction with the completed units of this course.
Prerequisite: Radiograohic Procedures II
Clock Hours: 6 hours/week x 24 weeks = 140 hours (3rd semester)

 

RADIOGRAPHIC PROCEDURES IV
Completion of imaging of the axial skeleton (sacrum and coccyx), ribs, sternum, s/c joints, temporal bone, skull and sella turcica as well as imaging of the reproductive system, sinus tract injections and venipuncture are covered in this semester. Classroom, laboratory and clinical practice enhance learning in conjunction with the completed units of this course. A comprehensive review of Radiographic Procedures I, II and III is included in preparation for the ARRT examination.
Prerequisite: Radiographic Procedures III
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 24 weeks = 72 hours (4th semester)

 

RADIATION BIOLOGY AND PROTECTION
Basic principles of radiation protection and safety for the radiologic technologists and basic concepts and principles of radiation biology will be presented. Radiation health and safety requirements of federal and state regulatory agencies, accreditation agencies and health care organizations are incorporated. The interactions of radiation with cells, tissues and the body as a whole, and resultant biophysical events will be presented. Discussion of the theories and principles of tolerance dose, time-dose relationships, fractionation schemes and the relationship to the clinical practice of radiography will be discussed.
Prerequisite: Program acceptance
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 18 weeks = 55 hours (1st & 2nd semesters)

 

RADIOGRAPHIC PATHOLOGY
Students will be provided with knowledge of disease processes involving systems of the body that are evaluated with diagnostic imaging procedures. This course begins with an introduction to disease and medical terms commonly encountered. Diseases involving the chest/respiratory system, abdomen/gastrointestinal and genitourinary system, and bones and joints, will be covered along with etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, radiographic findings, and possible treatments.
Prerequisite: Program acceptance
Clock Hours: 3 hours/week x 7 weeks = 20 hours (3rd semester)

 

CLINICAL RADIOGRAPHY I
During the first semester, the student will receive supervised clinical experience in general radiography, fluoroscopy, operating room, emergency room and portable radiography and begin to gain competence in basic procedures. Students will rotate for one to two weeks at a time (20-24 hours/week) through the different areas for the purpose of developing skill levels in patient care, communication, patient positioning, image production, and radiation protection. Students will also begin learning how to perform pediatric radiographic procedures by rotating through the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  Objectives for each clinical area will serve as guidelines for student performance. Students will be evaluated based on rotation objectives at the end of each rotation.

 

CLINICAL RADIOGRAPHY II
A continuation of Clinical Radiography I, this course is taken during the 2nd semester of the program. Twenty four hours per week are spent performing clinical rotations through the same clinical areas as semester I, with the addition of a rotation through another clinical education center. Objectives are expanded to include contrast examinations of the urinary and gastrointestinal tract and film evaluation skills.
Prerequisite: Clinical Radiography I
Clock Hours: 528 hours (2nd semester)

 

CLINICAL RADIOGRAPHY III
During the 3rd semester of the program, students will perform rotations through some of the specialized imaging areas (Interventional Radiology, E.R. evenings, Computed Tomography (CT), and a private outpatient radiology office, while still continuing to rotate through the previous clinical areas. 24 hours per week are spent gaining competency in radiographic and patient care procedures.
Prerequisite: Clinical Radiography II
Clock Hours: 576 hours (3rd semester)

 

CLINICAL RADIOGRAPHY IV
During the final semester of the program, students will gain experience in additional specialty areas and imaging in the outpatient setting. In addition, observation rotations in the associated imaging modalities of UltraSound, Cardiac Catheterization lab and Nuclear Medicine will be held. 24 to 32 hours per week will be spent gaining competency in all entry-level radiographic imaging procedures and developing problem-solving skills.
Prerequisite: Clinical Radiography III
Clock Hours: 590 hours (4th semester)

 

RADIOLOGY SEMINAR
Students will pursue independent research on a current topic in radiology, physics or administration, develop a written paper and provide an oral presentation on the topic to program faculty and junior students. Course includes a comprehensive review of the radiography curriculum with testing in preparation for the ARRT examination.
Prerequisite: Completion of 3rd semester of program
Clock Hours: 45 hours (4th semester)