Course Descriptions

bsrst dao course descriptions

HPRO 410a Health Care Ethics (2 cr) (Required Course)
This course will introduce Allied Health students to the ethical issues they are likely to encounter while working in health care. Topics covered include informed consent, confidentiality, paternalism, respect for autonomy, end of life care, etc. This course is web based, with online small group discussions led by departmental faculty, lectures, assignments, and case discussions.


RSTE 305R Special Projects in Radiation Science (2 cr)
This is an independent study assignment designed to give the student the opportunity to develop and present a research paper and project on selected special topics in Radiologic Technology. Students register and begin this two-semester, 2 credit hour course in the Fall and complete the course requirements in the Spring.  Prerequisite: Instructor/RSTE Advisor approval.


RSTE 310R Gerontology for the Radiation Science Professional (1 cr)  

This course addresses the geriatric population which is the fastest growing segment of our society today. The content will include literature reviews, patient care skills, communication skills, empathy and compassion. It will address the effects of aging and disease conditions on various organ systems of the body. The social, physiological, economical and environmental influences on the health status of the elderly will be covered. Adapting procedural standards of the radiation science professional will be examined. The course will prepare the student for interaction with the geriatric population.


RSTE 332S Gastrointestinal Ultrasound (3 cr)

This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of gastrointestinal sonography.  The student is provided with instruction in sectional anatomy, scanning techniques, physiology, and pathophysiology of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tract, pancreas, and spleen.  Various instructional techniques are used to aid the student in the learning process.  Each class consists of lectures and film presentations on the topics listed in the course syllabus.  Scanning labs provide the student with hands-on experience in the equipment parameters and image acquisition techniques necessary to obtain appropriate sonographic images.  The student is required to complete scanning technique assignments to apply classroom knowledge to film critique and interpretation.  Exams are given to evaluate the student’s knowledge and progress.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


RSTE 401S Ultrasound Physics I (1 cr)

This course is designed to provide the student with basic information necessary to understand the principles of ultrasound physics as it applies to diagnostic imaging.  Topics to be covered include sound parameters, interaction of sound with media, resolution, transducers, instrumentation, real-time imaging, and image storage and display.  Concepts will focus on applicability in the clinical setting and preparation for the registry examination.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


RSTE 409S Genitourinary Ultrasound (1 cr)

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the genitourinary system. Clinical application of genitourinary Sonography will be emphasized in this course.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


RSTE 410R Sectional Anatomy and Pathology I (CT/MRI) (4 cr)
Sectional Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology as it relates to CT/MRI images will be covered. Basic terminology, instrumentation, and safety of CT and MRI will be included. This is the first semester of a two-semester course. Prerequisite: RSTE Advisor approval.


RSTE 411R Sectional Anatomy and Pathology II (CT/MRI) (4 cr)

This is a continuation of Sectional Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology as it relates to CT/MRI imaging. Prerequisite: RSTE 410R.


RSTE 413R Radiologic Contrast Agents (1 cr)
This course presents the physical principles of contrast media related to imaging, the physical and chemical properties of contrast media solutions, the pharmacokinetics of contrast media, physiologic actions of contrast media, contrast-related nephrotoxicity, mechanisms of contrast media reactions, and the economic and legal issues involving contrast media.  


RSTE 414T Sectional Anatomy and Pathology I (Oncology) (2 cr)
Sectional Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology as it relates to Radiation Oncology will be covered. Basic terminology, instrumentation, and safety of Radiation Oncology will be included. This is the first semester of a two-semester course. Prerequisite: RSTE Advisor approval.


RSTE 415T Sectional Anatomy and Pathology II (Oncology) (2 cr)
This is a continuation of Sectional Anatomy, Pathology, and Physiology as it relates to Radiation Oncology. Prerequisite: RSTE 414T.


RSTE 415S Introduction to Sonography (2 cr)

This course is designed to provide the sonography students the fundamental background and knowledge needed to begin clinical ultrasound scanning. The student will learn basic anatomy, exam preparations and scanning techniques in the areas of abdomen, obstetrics, gynecology, neurosonography and high-resolution sonography. The course will also include lectures covering basic ultrasound physics, terminology, patient history taking, department procedures, equipment, instrumentation, crash cart procedures and the PHAMIS system. Students will also attend seminars throughout the semester that cover cultural competency and ethics in the workplace.


RSTE 421 CT Positioning and Protocols I (2 cr)

This course includes proper CT patient preparation, patient positioning, and technical knowledge. Technical parameters will include neuro imaging of the brain and spine; body imaging of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, neck, and imaging of the extremity and joints, vascular imaging of the brain, neck, body, and extremities and 3-D reconstruction.  Prerequisite: RSTE Advisor approval.


RSTE 422S Introduction to Vascular Technology (2 cr)

This course is designed for registered diagnostic medical sonographers who are preparing to take their vascular technology examination. The course will cover hemodynamics, anatomy, and pathology of the cerebral, extremity, abdominal and pelvic vessels. Students will also learn exam preparations and scanning techniques.  This course will provide only didactic instruction and will not include clinical experience.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


RSTE 428R CT Physics (1 cr)

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the physics and basic theory of operation of computerized tomography. Topics covered include: historical perspectives, computing and digital image processing concepts, principles, data acquisition, and spiral-helical scanning, image reconstruction, image quality, radiation dose, quality control, artifacts, and specialty exams.  Prerequisite: RSTE Advisor approval.


RSTE 438N Advanced Radiation Biology (2 cr)

This course utilizes a qualitative and quantitative approach to study the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation upon life systems with special emphasis upon the human population.


RSTE 440R Case Studies & Journal Review (2 cr) (Required Course)

This course is an upper-level course designed for radiation science seniors in a baccalaureate degree program to facilitate analytical and critical thinking skills, apply their written and oral communication skills, and foster professional development and growth. Students will research, identify, and form a differential diagnosis for clinical cases imaged by various diagnostic modalities. Students will study and critique medical cases and professional peer-reviewed journal articles. Students will review clinical cases to gain a better understanding of their scope of practice/role as a radiation science professional in an integrated health care system.


RSTE 451S Ultrasound Physics II (1 cr)

This clinical course is designed to provide the student with an understanding of the fundamental principles of ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Topics to be covered include hemodynamics, Color Doppler, artifacts, quality assurance, and bioeffects. Concepts will focus on applicability in the clinical setting and preparation for the registry examination.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


RSTE 456S Neurosonography (2 cr)

This course is designed to give the student a working knowledge of the embryologic development, anatomy, and physiology of the CNS, CSF formation and circulation scheme, blood supply to the brain, scanning techniques, pathology of the neonatal brain and spine, and medical care of the neonate during scanning.  Prerequisite: Instructor approval.


SAHP 411 Critical Thinking (1 cr)

Much of health care involves critical thinking: being able to identify the relevant features of a situation, propose and assess the virtues of various solutions, and make recommendations based on an analysis of the possible actions. This process requires an individual to engage in a process of rational reflection quite different from the skill set utilized in asking a scientific question. Students who complete this course will have a greater understanding of the process of rational reflection and how to analyze a problem using both deductive and inductive reasoning. Students will become comfortable with the concept that there may not be simply one right answer for every problem, but rather a range of acceptable action. Students will be able to point to common fallacies in arguments and will argue for their own position. Critical thinking augments scientific reasoning by giving students the tools that they need in order to make critical distinctions in the applied science of medicine.  This course may be particularly attractive to non-traditional students who are returning to the formal education process. By introducing students to the process of critical thinking prior to beginning their rigorous coursework, participants in this unit will be able to get acclimated to the academic challenges of higher education.


SAHP 415 Cultural Competence & Communication (2 cr)
Communication and Cultural Competency is an upper-level course for allied health professions students to facilitate understanding of the role of cultural competence in the healthcare arena and explore the ethical and legal implications of this topic. The course will begin by helping the student understand the value of diversity in our society. Secondly, the course will allow the student to make self-examination of their own beliefs, values and biases. This will be followed by understanding the dynamics involved when two cultures interact. Students will examine specific cultural characteristics as they apply to health care and propose ways of adapting diversity to the delivery of healthcare. The course will include an in-depth assessment of the CLAS standards and cultural competency information available to healthcare organizations.


SAHP 418 Research Methodologies in Allied Health (2 cr) (Required Course)
This course is designed to provide the fundamental concepts of research methods in allied health professions. The topics include literature review, statistical analysis, analytical reading and writing, research and proposal design, protection of human/animal subjects, limitation and justification of the research question and also quality assurance and method selection. Students will design a research proposal based on information presented.


SAHP 420 Computers in Health Care (2 cr)
This course is an introduction to computer sciences where emphasis will be placed on understanding the importance of computers in healthcare. Students will be exposed to the MS-DOS and windows systems and various applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and networks. This course is an introduction to computer processes to include general terminology, data processing, and computer language. The application of HIS and RIS processing is presented.


SAHP 422 Principles of Education for Health Care Professionals (2 cr)  

The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the principles of education for the purposes of preparing health care professionals to fulfill the role of clinical instructor and/or program director for their specific clinical discipline.  The topics to be covered include curriculum development, the use of terminal objectives, developing test questions, preparation of lesson plans and assignments, and the development of audiovisual materials for didactic instruction.


SAHP 431 Management in Health Care (2 cr) (Required Course)
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the concept of organizational theory and behavior, and several management applications. The topics to be covered include the principles of motivation, team building, leadership, management, organizational culture, and individual responses to organizational changes. Since change is a constant in today's organizations, the student will learn basic methods for planning and implementing organizational change. Additionally, the student will learn the basic concepts of continuous quality improvement, the application of quality tools, financial management, as well as the process for hiring, coaching, evaluating and dismissing employees. The student is expected to complete a simple quality improvement project and to prepare her/his own resume for an entrance level professional position (discipline specific).  Prerequisite: SAHP 430 and/or permission of the Instructor.


SAHP 433 Professional Projects in Health Care Management (1 cr)
This is an independent study course focusing on management projects in specific allied health disciplines. Included in this course are required literature reviews and individual or team-focused work relating to management functions and performance improvement. Students' work will be supervised and evaluated by RSTE faculty advisor and/or departmental administration. Prerequisites: SAHP 431.


SAHP 440 The US Health Care System (2 cr) (Required Course)
This course provides the health professions student with knowledge concerning the complex issues surrounding the economics of health care and health care delivery. Health care is changing rapidly and allied health professionals are affected by such changes in both their personal and professional lives. This course is designed to assist students in gaining an understanding of why change is occurring and identifying strategies to affect the changes to ensure that the patient is served. The topics to be covered include the economics of health care, the history of health care in the 20th century, federal involvement in health care, principles of insurance, elements of a health care plan, Medicare, Medicaid, restructuring, health care reform and responding to the challenge of the uninsured.