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Program Overview

Bachelor of Science - Comprehensive Medical Imaging - Diagnostic Medical Sonography Emphasis

Student Learning Outcomes
The Diagnostic Medical Sonography graduate will be able to:
  • Provide basic patient care and comfort to all patients.
  • Employ professional judgement and communication.
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of acoustic physics principles, Doppler ultrasound principles, and ultrasound instrumentation through proper equipment operation and transducer selection.
  • Evaluate the interaction between ultrasound and tissue and the probability of biological effects in clinical examinations.
  • Produce and assess ultrasonographic images of normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology.
  • Identify, document, and develop differential diagnosis of abnormal sonographic and Doppler patterns.
Student learning outcomes will be evaluated on an annual basis and reviewed with the DMS program advisory board.
 
Mission Statement
The mission of Great Basin College’s Diagnostic Medical Sonography program is to provide quality education that prepares the Diagnostic Medical Sonography student for practice in a variety of health care settings, improving health care in the community in which they practice.
 
Program Goals
To prepare competent entry-level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the abdominal-extended and obstetrics and gynecology sonography concentrations.
 
Accreditation
The Great Basin College Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) in the Abdominal extended and OB/GYN specialties.
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs:
9355 113th St N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
www.caahep.org
 
Contact Information
School of Health Sciences and Behavioral Health 775.327.2317.
 
Once accepted into the DMS program, students must adhere to the rules outlined in the DMS program handbook and maintain a C (76%) or higher in all courses contributing to the degree. Students will complete one semester of didactic and laboratory coursework, followed by four semesters of clinical and didactic coursework. A minimum of two different clinical sites is required, often necessitating the student to relocate to other communities for the duration of the clinical course. Clinical courses are 4 weeks for the first rotation, 16 weeks for the second, 10.5 weeks for the third, and 16 weeks for the fourth. Students will remain continuously enrolled in this 15-month program and complete coursework over the winter break and summer months.
 
The GBC Sonography program offers multiple lab sites throughout the state. Labs are currently maintained in Elko, Fallon, Reno and Pahrump. Upon acceptance, students may be offered placement in any one of these labs. Those with lab sites away from Elko will complete synchronous didactic education via Zoom.
 
Students will be required to complete a physical examination, drug screening, and a background check prior to beginning the program. Certain immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine, may be required for acceptance into individual clinical sites.
 
Program Admission Requirements
It is essential that students interested in this program schedule an advisement with DMS program faculty to evaluate acceptability of their previously awarded degree. Transcript evaluation of a program or course may be necessary and may require supporting information such as course descriptions, texts, and syllabi. Transcripts from the awarding institution must be sent to the GBC Admissions and Records Office for evaluation.
 
Limited Admission Program
The GBC DMS program is a limited admission program. All qualified applicants will be considered on a point merit basis, including type of associates acquisition, course performance and completion, certifications/licensure, residency, and veteran status as outlined in the DMS application packet. Except for CMI 376, only students accepted into the DMS program will be allowed to take CMI courses.
 
Application
To be eligible for either DMS program at GBC, a student must:
  • Complete a prerequisite AA, AS or higher degree from a regionally accredited institution and all DMS program prerequisite courses to apply OR 
  •  Complete a patient care centered AAS degree at a regionally accredited institution and all program prerequisites. For this option, students may be required to complete additional general education requirements to meet degree requirements. Any necessary general education credits beyond 6 must be completed before beginning the program.
  • Apply to Great Basin College.
  • Complete a DMS program application.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • Have a minimum of C (76%) or higher on any coursework applied to the DMS.
  • Complete USA+ testing by the application deadline.
  • Submit a professional resume or curriculum vitae.
  • Complete all required application paperwork.
  • Be 18 years or older by the starting date of the fall semester
  • Attend an interview.
Applications must be submitted to the GBC Sonography website at https://gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/bs_sono/. on or before May 1 to be considered for acceptance to the program beginning in August of the same year.  Students completing their prerequisites during the semester of application are eligible to apply.
 
In addition, students have the option to include the following in their application to receive additional points toward admittance:
  • Current healthcare certifications or licensures, if applicable.
  • Documentation of veteran status, if applicable.
Students who have previous convictions should contact the ARDMS to ensure they meet the ethical standards for registry prior to applying to the program.
 
NOTE: Some states require additional licensure beyond the ARDMS to practice in their state. Specific state requirements may be found at: https://www.sdms.org/advocacy/state-licensure.
 
Maintaining Good Standing in the DMS Program
  • Students must complete all assignments and obtain a C or higher grade (76% or higher) in all required courses throughout the DMS program.
  • Students must comply with the policies in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography handbook.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to notify the Program Director of any changes in licensure, certification, or health status. (Such information may affect the student’s good standing status).
Travel and Fees
The first year of the program, students are required to attend lectures in person or via zoom . Students accepted into the Elko lab will attend in person, and students accepted to all other lab sites will attend via zoom. Students must attend all required labs at their assigned lab site. Beginning the winter of the first year and continuing until graduation, students will be required to complete 34-40 hr./ week clinical rotations at their assigned clinical site as scheduled by the program.  Clinical assignments may require students to relocate for part or all of a clinical experience.
The DMS program follows the fee schedule and refund policy of the GBC system. Please see the college policy in this catalog for details.
Scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available to all eligible GBC students. Please see the student financial services office for details.
 
Additional Expenses- (approximation)
Fee Amount
Textbooks $1,200
Uniforms, Shoes $300
Complio/Background Check/Drug Screening $100 - $150
Differential Fees per credit $120
ARDMS Exams (each) $250 - $275
Physical Exam Individual amount
Immunizations Individual amount
Health Insurance Individual amount
Travel/living expenses Individual amount
 

Program Description

Students seeking the Bachelor of Science in Comprehensive Medical Imaging with an emphasis in
Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program at GBC must complete a prerequisite associate degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution and all DMS program prerequisite courses to apply.
Students successfully completing the BS in CMI with emphasis in DMS are eligible to apply for ARDMS
examinations under Prerequisite 3B or Prerequisite 2.  Prerequisite Requirements
  • Hold an associate degree or higher awarded by a regionally accredited college  (see application section for details). The prerequisite degree curriculum must include, at a minimum:
    • MATH 126, 126E or higher,
    • General college level physics and/or radiographic physics (RAD 118 or PHYS 100),
    • Communications skills (ENG 102 or COM 113),
    • Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 223 & 224),
    • Patient care (NURS 130 or EMS 118),
    • Medical terminology (RAD 112, EMS 204 or NURS 140).
  • Attend an interview.
Licensure
Upon successful completion of the BS in CMI with emphasis in DMS, students will be eligible to apply
for the examination for licensure by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in
general sonography. Program required courses:
 
*In addition to prerequisites, students are encouraged to complete the following courses prior to applying to the program.

 

Course # Course Title Credits
NURS 337 Pathophysiology 3 Credits

CMI 376                       Sectional Anatomy in Medical Imaging                                                                                   1 Credit

General Education Requirements
Communications and Expressions
Written Communications (one course required)
Course # Course Title Credits
ENG 100 Composition-Enhanced 5 Credits
ENG 101 Composition I 3 Credits
 
Oral Communications
Course # Course Title Credits
COM 113 Fund Speech Communication 3 Credits
 
Evidence-Based Communications
Course # Course Title Credits
ENG 102 Composition II 3 Credits
 
Fine Arts (one course required)
Course # Course Title Credits
ART 100 Visual Foundations 3 Credits
ART 101 Drawing I 3 Credits
ART 107 Design Fundmntls I (2-D) 3 Credits
ENG 205 Intro to Creative Writing 3 Credits
MUS 101 Music Fundamentals 3 Credits
THTR 100 Introduction to Theatre 3 Credits
THTR 105 Introduction to Acting I 3 Credits
THTR 121 Stage Makeup 3 Credits
THTR 204 Theatre Technology I 3 Credits
WELD 200 Metal Art 3 Credits
 
Logical and Scientific Reasoning
Mathematical Reasoning (one course required):  Choose from the courses listed below or any higher-level math course.  Excludes MATH 389
Course # Course Title Credits
MATH 126 Precalculus I 3 Credits
MATH 126E Precalculus I Expanded 3 Credits
 
Scientific Reasoning (both courses required) 
Course # Course Title Credits
BIOL 223 Human Anatomy & Physiology I 4 Credits
BIOL 224 Anatomy & Physiology II 4 Credits
 
Scientific Data Interpretation
Course # Course Title Credits
BIOL 190 Intro Cell/Molecular Biology 4 Credits
 
Human Societies and Experience
American Constitutions and Institutions:  HIST 101 and 102 or PSC 101
Course # Course Title Credits
HIST 101 U.S. History to 1877 3 Credits
HIST 102 U.S. History Since 1877 3 Credits
PSC 101 Intro American Politics 3 Credits
 
Structure of Societies
Course # Course Title Credits
HMS 200 Ethics in Human Services 3 Credits
 
Humanities (one course required)
Course # Course Title Credits
ART 160 Art Appreciation 3 Credits
ENG 203 Intro to Literary Study 3 Credits
ENG 223 Themes of Literature 3 Credits
FIS 100 Introduction to Film 3 Credits
FREN 111 First Year French I 3-4 Credits
FREN 112 First Year French II 3-4 Credits
HIST 208 World History I 3 Credits
HIST 209 World History II 3 Credits
HUM 101 Intro to Humanities I 3 Credits
HUM 210 Communicating Diversity 3 Credits
MUS 121 Music Appreciation 3 Credits
PHIL 101 Intro to Philosophy 3 Credits
PHIL 102 Critical Thinking 3 Credits
PHIL 135 Introduction to Ethics 3 Credits
SPAN 111 First Year Spanish I 3 Credits
SPAN 112 First Yr Spanish II 3 Credits
SPAN 211 Second Year Spanish I 3 Credits
 
Mastery Course Requirements (one course required)
Course # Course Title Credits
HSC 300 Statistics for Health Sciences 3 Credits
INT 339 Integrative Humanities Seminar 3 Credits
HUM 301 Studies in Humanities 3 Credits
INT 369 Integrative Science Seminar 3 Credits
GEOL 335 Earth Resources/Environment 3 Credits
INT 359 Integrative Math Seminar 3 Credits
MATH 389 Special Topics in Mathematics 3 Credits
ANTH 307 Ancient Civilizations 3 Credits
ANTH 332 (De)Constructing Race 3 Credits
HIST 303 Worlds of Islam 3 Credits
HIST 312 Expansion of the U.S. 3 Credits
HIST 341 Global China 3 Credits
INT 349 Integrative Social Science Sem 3 Credits
PSY 313 Well-Being: East Meets West 3 Credits
 
Program Requirements
 
Course # Course Title Credits
CMI 350 Ultrasound Physics/Instrument 4 Credits
CMI 351 Abdominal Ultrasound 3 Credits
CMI 352 Obstetric Ultrasound 3 Credits
CMI 353 Gynecologic Ultrasound 3 Credits
CMI 354 Vascular Ultrasound 1-3 Credits
CMI 378 Small Parts Ultrasound 1 Credits
CMI 400 Intro to Clinic Imaging Exp 2 Credits
CMI 486 Diag Med Image Clinic Exp I 9 Credits
CMI 487 Diag Med Image Clinic Exp II 7 Credits
CMI 488 Diag Med Image Clinic Exp III 10 Credits
CMI 491 Sonography Review Topics 1 Credits
CMI 492 Comp Medical Imaging Capstone 3 Credits
CMI 366                      Abdominal Ultrasound II                                                                                                               3 Credits
 
Suggested Course Sequence

Course Credits
Written Communications* 3-5
Mathematics* 3
BIOL 190 4
NURS 140 3
Fine Arts* 3
TOTAL 16

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
PSC 101 3
ENG 102 3
BIOL 223 4
HMS 200 3
Humanities* 3
TOTAL 16

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
NURS 130 6
BIOL 224 4
MATH 127 or STAT 152 3
COM 113 3
TOTAL 16

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
PHYS 100 3
Mastery Course* 3
NURS 337**  3
CMI 376** 1
TOTAL 10
*Choose with advisor
**Permission Required
Award Associate of Science Degree

Course Credits
CMI 350 4
CMI 351 3
CMI 353 3
CMI 354 2
Elective 2
TOTAL 14

 

Course Credits
CMI 400 2
Elective* 3
TOTAL 5

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
CMI 352 3
CMI 486 9
CMI 366 3
CMI 378 1
Elective* 3
TOTAL 19

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
CMI 487 7
Elective* 3
TOTAL 10

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
CMI 488 10
CMI 491 1
CMI 492 3
TOTAL 14

 

Suggested Course Sequence
Plan for students transferring in with regionally accredited associates degree or higher and all prerequisite courses

Minimum of 60 credits required

Course Credits
CMI 350 4
CMI 351 3
CMI 353 3
CMI 354 2
CMI 376 1
NURS 337 3
TOTAL 16

Course Credits
CMI 400 2
TOTAL 2

Course Credits
CMI 352 3
CMI 366 3
CMI 378 1
CMI 486 9
MASTERY COURSE* 3
TOTAL 19

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
CMI 487 7
ELECTIVE* 2
TOTAL 9

*Choose with advisor

Course Credits
CMI 488 10
CMI 491 1
CMI 492 3
TOTAL 14