Introduction to Sonography Syllabus for 2017-2018
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Course

DMSO-1110-001 Introduction to Sonography

Prerequisites

Course Description

An introduction to the profession of sonography and the role of the sonographer. Emphasis on medical terminology, ethical/legal aspects, written and verbal communication and professional issues relating to registry, accreditation, professional organizations and history of the profession.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact your advisor, the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(1 sem hr; 1 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Supplies

Supplies: Laptop with an enabled webcam, printer, print cartridges, word processing and powerpoint availability, paper, pens, pencils, markers. Dark gray scrubs and closed toe/heel shoes. 

 

Student Performance

 

 

Student Performance:

Given the course textbook, personal notes handouts, and other course materials, the student should accomplish the following course goals as evaluated by the course instructor using written exams and methods, oral presentations, visual presentations and teaching opportunities with class mates:

1. Understand the purpose of Patient Care in Sonography.

2. Have a working knowledge of the organizational structure of organizations related to the profession.

3. Understand the roles and expectations of sonographers

4. Have a working knowledge of ethical and legal implications of Sonography in health care.          

5. Have knowledge of the various practice areas of Sonography.

The student will know that these outcomes have been successfully achieved when he/she earns a final grade of "C" or higher as evaluated by the department faculty.

Given the course textbook, personal notes, handouts, and other course materials, the student should be able to do each of the following on a written examination with accuracy of not less than 75% as evaluated by the course instructor.

Course objectives

1. History of diagnostic ultrasound
2. Compare imaging modalities
3. Ultrasound  for therapy and diagnostic uses
4. 3D and 4D ultrasound
5. Learnring dynamics
6. Communication skills
7. Critical thinking skills
8. Ergonomics
9. Work related musculoskeletal disorders/injuries
10. Patient care principals
11. Proper body mechanics/ transfer methods.
12. Trans cultural communications
13. Clinical assessments
14. Sonographic procedures
15. Legal and ethical aspects
16. Future in Sound
17. Professional development/Leadership skills
18. Continuing education

 

 

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

 

Grading Criteria

 Grading Criteria:

The following grade scale applies throughout this course:

A = 92 - 100

B = 83 - 91

C = 75 - 82

F = less than 75

               Note:  A grade of "D" is not possible in this course

Decimal scores from all graded activities will be rounded as follows:

0.1 - 0.4            —         rounded down

0.5 - 0.9            —         rounded up

The final course average will be rounded in the same way.

GRADING CRITERIA AND SCALE

The final course grade will be computed as follows:

            Major Examinations (equally weighted)                                           40%

            Quizzes/classroom assignments (equally weighted)                        30%

            Final                                                                                            30%

If a student is absent on the day of a scheduled examination, quiz, or submission of an out-of-class assignment, the student may make-up the missed points as follows:

1.         The missed work must be completed by 3:00 pm on the next day following the absence.

2.         The missed work make-up score will be penalized 25% due to the absence.

On a rare occasion, a student may know in advance of an impending and UNAVOIDABLE absence.  If that absence is to occur on a day when a scored activity is to be taken, the student may petition the instructor, IN ADVANCE (1 week minimum) AND IN WRITING, for an “excused absence.”  Each excused absence request will be handled on an individual basis and the decision of the instructor will be final.  If approved by the instructor, an excused absence will not result in the loss of any points on the scored activity due to the absence.

If a missed scored activity is not completed in accordance with this make-up policy, the specific activity in question will be scored as ZERO points and averaged as zero credit into the final course grade. This make-up policy is strictly enforced.

Tutoring is available and mandatory for any assignment grade below 75%.

Attendance

Calendar

Additional Information

 

Electronic devices which produce audible sounds must be silenced during all lecture presentations.  Also, text messaging during class and lab is absolutely prohibited

 

STUDY TIPS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

This course is very technical and, as such, demands strong student study skills to complete the course satisfactorily. Sonography is NOT “rocket-science,” but it does require persistent and effective study to grasp and retain the information.The following study skill guidelines have been tested through many years, and when used consistently, have been proven to work. Of course, students have different learning styles. Therefore, all skills listed may not be appropriate for you. If you have already developed a study system that works, don’t change it!   If that is not the case, the you should give strong consideration to the adoption of one or more of these guidelines.

1.       Plan to study no less than two clock-hours each week for each hour of class time. If you are academically challenged you should spend even more time. Class time is used to collect notes — NOT to learn the greater part of the information.  Effective learning must continue to take place outside of the classroom.

2.       NEVER extend a study session beyond 30 minutes without taking a short break.  For most students, continuous studying without frequent short breaks generally serves little or no useful purpose. It is not usually possible for the average student to remain sufficiently focused beyond 30 minutes.

3.       During a study session, get active! Choose an area free of distractions and don’t get comfortable. Read your notes and the textbook out loud if the location permits. Using the additional sense of hearing further improves retention and learning.  Reading silently using only the sense of sight and limits learning ability. 

4.       Re-write your lecture notes within twelve hours. Notes taken during a lecture session must often be abbreviated to save time. This creates gaps in sentence and paragraph structure. Therefore, if a re-write does not occur relatively soon, gaps will be difficult to close later. Also, a re-write involves the sense of touch which improves retention and learning. When closing gaps, be sure to consult the textbook for additional information relative to the subject under study. A good dictionary can also be helpful.

5.       Study with a classmate when possible.  For most students, group study reinforces learning.

6.       NEVER “cram” for tests. Cramming may work, but any success is only temporary since this study technique involves short-term memory. Use of long-term memory is absolutely necessary to successfully complete any course which requires a comprehensive final examination and a program of study where an overall program exit comprehensive examination and certification examination is also required. Instead of relying on a “crisis approach” to learning, stay organized and review often.

7.       Ask questions during class sessions and/or visit with the course instructor outside of class to clarify information that may be difficult for you to grasp. If necessary, seek advice from the instructor for making improvements. However, seeking advice during the final couple of weeks of the course is probably too late!

8.       Avoid, at all cost, a pessimistic attitude. Instead, THINK POSITIVELY! A person in very likely to mentally move in the direction he or she thinks about most often. When a subject seems overwhelming, don’t panic!  When the brain is in “panic mode,” it cannot simultaneously be in an effective learning mode. If panic develops, STOP!  Re-evaluate your study skills and make immediate changes that can remove or reduce the difficulty. Chances are, the panic is the result of not enough time set aside to learn the information.

9.       Improve your self-confidence! An excellent online tool to help build self-confidence can be seen at …

                                                http://www.mindtools.com/selfconf.html

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