Division of Radiologic Science
Introduction
The School of Medicine’s radiologic science program is designed to prepare individuals for professional practice and associated responsibilities in the health specialty of medical imaging. Graduates provide patient assessment and care required for medical imaging procedures in addition to insuring that the highest quality imaging study is completed when the patient’s radiation dose is a factor. Students may pursue diagnostic and interventional radiology or diagnostic medical sonography. In the senior year students may select other imaging modalities and practice areas for additional competence and training. These other areas may include sonography special areas, pediatrics, mammography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, vascular interventional radiology, and cardiac catheterization laboratory. The curriculum includes course discussions and projects on global health imaging issues and the potential for international experiences in medical imaging departments and programs abroad.
Admission to the Program
Following completion of the first two years’ work in the University’s General College, students may be admitted to the professional major offered by the Department of Allied Health Sciences of the UNC School of Medicine. Students enrolled at other colleges and universities who are interested in transferring to the Chapel Hill campus following their sophomore year should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Division of Radiologic Science early in their college career to assure proper planning and transferability of courses. Students are encouraged to begin the application process early in the fall semester preceding the year of intended enrollment. The program begins in Summer Session II each year. Transfer applications should be received in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the designated University deadline.
Since enrollment in the major is limited, completion of the student’s course of study in the General College does not guarantee a position in the professional class. Students should contact the Division of Radiologic Science in the fall semester preceding anticipated enrollment to receive admissions information. Student selections are made on a competitive basis with consideration given to academic achievement, character, both written and oral communication skills, and demonstrated interest in medical imaging as a professional career.
Students are subject to the requirements in place when they are admitted to this program; consequently, the requirements described in this catalog particularly apply to students admitted during the 2023–2024 academic year.
Advising
First-year and sophomore students interested in the B.S. degree with a major in radiologic science have a primary academic advisor assigned in ConnectCarolina during the first two years of the degree program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with their advisor and review their progress toward the degree each semester. The director of the Division of Radiologic Science is available to meet with current and prospective majors by appointment (see contact information above). The division’s faculty provides academic advising for students who are enrolled in the program. Further information on the curriculum may be obtained from radiologic science website.
Facilities
The program has a laboratory with digital imaging capabilities and sonography capabilities in the Burnett-Womack Building adjacent to the offices and classroom building. The laboratory includes radiography and fluoroscopic equipment with digital imaging plate readers and software and sonography equipment similar to the environment the students see during their clinical rotations.
Graduate School and Career Opportunities
The Division of Radiologic Science bachelor of science degree program provides a basis for further study. Additional clinical specializations are available in nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy. Graduates may elect graduate studies in health physics, business and education, management, public health, and other health professions. The division offers a master’s in radiologic science degree program for those students seeking advanced clinical practice as a radiologist assistant.
The clinical practice of medical imaging (radiologic technology) may include one or more of the specialty areas listed here, depending on professional preference and the type, size, and mission of the health facility where the technologist is employed: general radiography (such as orthopedics or pediatrics), vascular imaging, cardiac catheterization, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging or diagnostic medical sonography. Responsibilities and salaries vary according to the area and scope of practice.
Employment opportunities available in a variety of settings, in both rural and urban areas, include
- more generalized practice in medium to small hospitals;
- specialized clinical practice in a large hospital;
- clinics and free-standing imaging centers, which may offer both special and general practice opportunities; or
- clinical practice coupled with expanded responsibilities in quality control, service education, and supervision, particularly in a large hospital.
Professor
Jordan B. Renner.
Associate Professor
Joy J. Renner.
Assistant Professors
Kenya Haugen, Lauren Noble, Katrina Steinsultz, Amy Dela Cruz.
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Melissa Culp.
Instructors
Randy Gay, Susan MacNeela, Wendy Ross.
Professors Emeriti
Charles B. Burns, Janice C. Keene, Robert L. Thorpe.
RADI–Radiologic Science
Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate-level
This overview of radiologic science encompasses patient care, imaging modalities for diagnosis and treatment, radiation protection, health care trends, and information management systems. Pass/Fail course.
This course includes lecture and lab sessions to strengthen knowledge of human anatomy and to guide the application of this material for medical imaging. Students will participate in laboratory activities to better understand the spatial relationships between anatomic regions and specific structures. The emphasis of the course is on thoracic, abdominal, pelvic, and musculoskeletal anatomy. Course previously offered as AHSC 440. Radiologic Science majors only.
Majors only. Lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and laboratory exercises are combined to introduce topics including patient assessment, image characteristics, radiation protection, positioning skills, medical terminology, and the role of imaging sciences in health care.
Prepares students for standard radiography of upper extremities, lower extremities, axial skeleton, bony thorax, chest, abdomen, and the basic skull, considering pathologies and gross, radiographic, and cross-sectional anatomy. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
An overview of radio-graphic imaging methods examining the imaging process as a sequence of events from X-ray production through hard copy processing. The imaging equipment is discussed in terms of function, influence on the image, the impact of alteration on image characteristics, and compensation techniques for changes in the sequence. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
RADI 463. Clinical Education I. 4 Credits. A clinical course focusing on the application and evaluation of radiography in the hospital setting. With supervision, the student develops clinical skills through observation and participation in radiographic procedures. Twenty practicum hours.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: HI-INTERN.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography track. The course includes intra-abdominal organs, abdominal vessels, peritoneal spaces, and retroperitoneal structures and introduces normal/abnormal sonographic findings. Integration of findings with clinical history, exam, and laboratory findings are included along with skills with scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality developed in the lab. Majors only.
Diagnostic Medical Sonography Track. The course provides comprehensive instruction on the principles of ultrasound, including wave characteristics and propagation, acoustic variables, transducers, pulsed waves, real time imaging, and image display and image archiving. More topics include Doppler physics, equipment instrumentation and operation, quality assurance, and biological effects of ultrasound. Majors only.
The course content prepares students for standard radiography of cranial bones, facial bones, and special cranial projections. Contrast studies include gastrointestinal, urinary, biliary, cardiovascular, and other special procedures. The course includes pathologies, and gross, radiographic, and cross-sectional anatomy. Two lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
A detailed study of specific elements of the radiographic process, with an emphasis on the interrelationships of the radiographic parameters, refinement of image analysis and problem-solving skills, and quality control testing for evaluating the performance of the radiographic equipment and accessories. Three lecture hours and two laboratory hours.
A continuation of RADI 463 with emphasis on the application and evaluation of more complex radiographic studies. Twenty practicum hours.
Normal and abnormal anatomy/physiology/sonographic features of the nongravid and gravid female pelvis. Normal and abnormal fetal growth and anatomy, fetal well-being, and sonographic measurements associated with the second and third trimesters of pregnancy are included in the content. Students will engage in correlations of sonographic findings with patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Lab skills covered: scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality. Majors only.
This course presents topics of advanced sonographic imaging techniques including advanced abdomen and obstetric concepts, superficial structures, pediatrics, introduction to vascular, and interventional procedures. This course presents the normal and abnormal sonographic findings, along with the relationship of these findings to patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Skills related to scanning protocols, technical factors, and image quality are developed in the lab. Majors only.
This course continues topics of advanced sonographic imaging techniques and presents new technologies, superficial structures, pediatrics, advanced obstetrics, and transplants. This course also presents the normal and abnormal sonographic findings of these structures along with relationships of these findings to patient clinical history, clinical exam, and laboratory findings. Skills related to protocols, technical factors, and image quality are developed in the lab. Majors only.
Under general supervision, the student will function at an increased level of responsibility in general diagnostic radiography in a variety of clinical settings outside of the university setting.
Under general supervision, the student will function at an increased level of responsibility in radiography in clinical settings outside of the university setting. The course includes a comprehensive review examination and case studies.
A clinical course utilizing contract learning to provide students an opportunity to gain additional competency in specialized areas of radiology. Twenty-four education and independent study hours.
This course is a continuation of RADI 583 using learning contracts to allow students to explore and gain additional expertise in various areas of radiology. Twenty-four clinical hours.
A course in the physics of diagnostic radiology, including radiation effects on tissue, radiation detection and measurement, protection methods and techniques, and environmental radiation issues. Three lecture hours.
Majors only. The major part of the course is devoted to an investigative project on a discipline-related topic of student interest. Select issues affecting professional affairs of radiologic technologists are also included.
This course offers an elective clinical experience in an area of student interest.
Majors only. This course provides for a brief cognitive and skills approach to communication skills, the teaching/learning process, and methods and materials of instruction and delivery. Three lecture/discussion hours per week.
Majors only. In this course students will analyze the theoretical literature on leadership and apply that knowledge in the analysis of various radiology environment situations. Three lecture hours.
Majors only. This course will enhance and integrate the student's knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology related to all human body systems. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how structure, function, and disease are interrelated. Three lecture hours per week.
This course involves students in situational problem solving and radiographic analysis. Integration of concepts and knowledge of anatomy, pathology, procedures, patient care, and imaging principles are emphasized. Four lecture hours.
A detailed study of specific elements of the radiographic process, with an emphasis on the interrelationships of the radiographic parameters, refinement of image analysis and problem-solving skills, and quality. Three lectures hours and two laboratory hours.
Majors only. The course covers issues related to health care systems, medicolegal ethics, and practice and quality assurance. Three lecture hours per week.
Majors only. Students complete a research project involving a major clinical or policy issue in radiologic science. This course is an expansion of the fall semester research culminating in both a paper and presentation.
Majors only. This course involves the pharmacology of common radiology medications and advanced patient assessment techniques. With the additional knowledge and skills, students can make informed decisions regarding patient care. Three lecture hours.
Division of Radiologic Science
Suite 3050 Bondurant Hall, CB# 7130
(919) 966-5147
