Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS)

3 Units (LAB 72-81, LEC 24-27)

This course introduces students accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) program to foundational skills in ultrasound scanning. Emphasis is placed on abdominal and pelvic protocols, with introductory exposure to small parts, obstetric/gynecologic, and vascular examinations. Students learn sonographic terminology, anatomical planes, gray scale imaging principles, and the use of color and pulsed-wave Doppler as integral tools across scanning categories. Through lecture, lab practice, and simulation, students develop technical precision, image documentation skills, professional communication, and inclusive patient-centered care. (formerly DMS-100)

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Transfers to CSU only

3 Units (LEC 48-54)

This course introduces sonography students to the foundational principles of disease processes across major body systems, emphasizing the relationship between anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Designed to support clinical reasoning and patient-centered care, this course prepares students to assess patient history, interpret laboratory data, and correlate signs and symptoms with sonographic findings. Students will explore disease mechanisms through structured content focused on description, etiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic criteria. Emphasis is placed on understanding how systemic conditions manifest in sonographic imaging and influence scanning protocols. This knowledge is essential for accurate interpretation and effective interdisciplinary communication in clinical practice and in developing clinically proficient, ethically grounded, and culturally competent sonographers equipped to deliver high-quality diagnostic care. (formerly DMS-101)

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Transfers to CSU only

3 Units (LEC 48-54)

This course introduces the DMS student to the laws related to patient rights, intentional torts, negligence, and malpractice litigation. Ethical dilemmas will be discussed and how it applies to the healthcare decision making process. The course will alert the students of their rights, duties, patient rights, and legal responsibilities within the context of their function as a member of the allied health care team. (formerly DMS-102)

Prerequisite: DMS-501 (with a grade of C or better)

Transfers to CSU only

3 Units (LAB 48-54, LEC 32-36)

This course is a lecture with an incorporated lab class designed to teach the sonography, or imaging student, basic patient care techniques including the responsibilities and relationships of various allied health departments in a health care setting. Discussions and hands-on skills will include: aseptic and surgical techniques, universal precautions, emergency conditions and procedures, transferring patients, vital signs, medical emergencies, imaging procedures, medical ethics, communication, body mechanics, and infection control used by radiology personnel in working with patients. Professional communication and ethical legal issues in health care are introduced. (formerly DMS-103)

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LAB 96-108)

This course begins as a clinical externship where students observe staff Sonographers in the clinical environment. Within the course, there is migration into an internship role which provides the student an opportunity to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of a trained preceptor in a sonography department at an affiliated hospital or medical center. The student will observe the functions, procedures, and protocols of an ultrasound department. This clinical course will also include reviewing physician orders and comparing prior imaging exams and lab results, exam protocols, and observing a sonographer complete the requested examination or completing the requested examination with sonographer assistance. The student will demonstrate proper sterile technique and universal precautions. The student will learn the proper functions of the sonography equipment used in the clinical training site. (formerly DMS-104)

Prerequisite: DMS-100 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LEC 32-36)

This course provides sonography students with foundational knowledge in cross-sectional anatomy as visualized through ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Emphasis is placed on identifying normal anatomical structures and understanding their spatial relationships across multiple imaging modalities. Students will learn to correlate cross-sectional anatomy with pathological findings, enhancing their ability to interpret prior imaging studies and support diagnostic accuracy. Anatomical regions covered include the brain, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and vascular system. (formerly DMS-110)

Prerequisite: DMS-500 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

5 Units (LAB 240-270)

This course is a continued clinical externship where students observe staff Sonographers in the clinical environment. Within the course, there is a continued migration, from the prior observation course, into an internship role which provides the student an opportunity to gain more hands-on experience completing ultrasound exams with assistance under the guidance of a trained preceptor in a sonography department at an affiliated hospital or medical center. The student will observe the functions, procedures, and protocols of an ultrasound department. This clinical course will also include reviewing physician orders and comparing prior imaging exams and lab results, exam protocols, and observing a sonographer complete the requested examination or completing the requested examination with sonographer assistance. The student will demonstrate proper sterile technique and universal precautions. The student will learn the proper functions of the sonography equipment used in the clinical training site. (formerly DMS-114)

Prerequisite: DMS-504 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

1.5 Unit (LAB 72-81)

This course offers a thorough introduction to abdominal and superficial structure sonography, focusing on patient care, clinical lab interpretation, and the integration of sonographic findings with clinical symptoms. Students explore normal and pathological imaging across various organ systems using gray-scale and Doppler techniques. Lab practical's include abdominal, thyroid, breast, and testicular exams, utilizing live volunteers or high-fidelity ultrasound phantoms to develop scanning skills, anatomical identification, and pathology recognition. (formerly DMS-120)

Corequisite: DMS-522

Transfers to CSU only

3 Units (LEC 48-54)

This course explores the pathophysiology and sonographic evaluation of abdominal and superficial structures, emphasizing clinical integration and multimodality imaging comparison. Students will examine normal anatomy, common disorders, laboratory correlations, and relevant clinical history for the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, gastrointestinal tract, breast, thyroid, parathyroid, scrotum, and prostate. Through detailed analysis of sonographic appearance and Doppler flow characteristics, learners will distinguish normal from abnormal findings and correlate them with CT, MRI, mammography, nuclear medicine, and radiographic imaging. Case-based instruction fosters diagnostic reasoning, documentation accuracy, and patient-centered care. (formerly DMS-122)

Prerequisite: DMS-500 (with a grade of C or better) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program graduate certificate/degree or Registered Technologist through ARDMS/CCI/ARRT.

Transfers to CSU only

10 Units (LAB 480-540)

This course is the third semester, after a prior summer semester, of a clinical externship/internship where students continue to observe staff Sonographers in the clinical environment, scan with assistance, and begin to complete ultrasound exams unassisted with preceptor review of the final exam images. Clinical training provides the student with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of a trained preceptor in a sonography department at an affiliated hospital or medical center. The student will learn through observation, scanning with assistance, and scanning unassisted: the functions, procedures, and protocols of an ultrasound department. This clinical course will also include reviewing physician orders, comparing prior imaging exams, lab results, exam protocols, observing a sonographer complete an ultrasound examination, completing the requested examination with sonographer assistance, or completing an ultrasound examination unassisted. The student will demonstrate proper sterile technique, universal precautions, and patient centered care. (formerly DMS-124)

Prerequisite: DMS-514 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LEC 32-36)

This is the first of two sequential courses designed to teach Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation. The focus of Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation I is the basic mathematics used in the physics of sound, elementary principles of ultrasound physics and instrumentation, the propagation of ultrasound through tissue, Ultrasound transducers, pulse echo instruments and the principles of pulse echo imaging. (formerly DMS-125)

Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

Transfers to CSU only

1.5 Unit (LAB 72-81)

This hands-on laboratory course provides focused instruction in obstetric and gynecologic sonography, emphasizing anatomy, pathology, and scanning protocols. Students will develop proficiency in interpreting clinical laboratory data, correlating signs and symptoms with sonographic findings, and distinguishing between normal and abnormal presentations. Instruction includes faculty-led demonstrations and supervised scanning practice using ultrasound simulators, phantoms, and OB volunteers in a controlled campus lab environment. Students will perform OB-GYN exams under guided conditions, with transvaginal scanning limited to simulators and phantoms. (formerly DMS-130)

Corequisite: DMS-532

Transfers to CSU only

3 Units (LEC 48-54)

This course provides sonography students with a comprehensive understanding of obstetric and gynecologic pathophysiology as it relates to diagnostic imaging. Emphasis is placed on correlating clinical history, laboratory values, and sonographic appearance to identify both normal and abnormal conditions across the female reproductive system and developing fetus. Topics include uterine and ovarian pathology, infertility, first trimester complications, fetal anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities, postpartum conditions, maternal disease, and amniotic fluid assessment. Students will explore the etiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and sonographic presentation of each condition, preparing them to interpret findings and contribute meaningfully to patient-centered care. (formerly DMS-132)

Prerequisite: DMS-522 (with a grade of C or better) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program graduate certificate/degree or Registered Technologist through ARDMS/CCI/ARRT

Transfers to CSU only

10 Units (LAB 480-540)

This course is offered as a continuation of advanced on the job training in a sonography department of an affiliated hospital or medical center. The student will demonstrate the ability to perform sonographic examinations of the abdomen, superficial structures, pelvic, and obstetric exams according to protocol guidelines established by the program and the clinical affiliate hospital or medical center. This clinical course will also include reviewing physician orders, comparing prior imaging exams, lab results, and exam protocols. Students begin to complete a majority of ultrasound exams as unassisted, with preceptor review of the final exam images. The final objective is to develop skills equal to an entry-level Sonographer. The student will demonstrate proper sterile technique, universal precautions, and patient centered care. (formerly DMS-136)

Prerequisite: DMS-524 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LEC 32-36)

This course is the second of two physics courses designed to teach Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation. The focus of this course is image storage and display, hemodynamics, doppler, color flow and color power imaging, artifacts found in ultrasound, quality assurance, and the bioeffects and safety of ultrasound. (formerly DMS-135)

Prerequisite: DMS-525 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LEC 32-36)

This course is the final semester, after prior semesters of pathophysiology of the abdomen, small parts, and OB-Gyn. This course is a review of ultrasound physics/instrumentation; exams of: abdomen, superficial structures of the thyroid, breast, testicular; gynecology, first, second, and third semesters of obstetrics. Discussion of interesting and/or rare cases pertaining to clinical symptoms, sonographic patterns and technical pitfalls will be studied. Review and practice testing to prepare for the ARDMS registry examinations and instruction on writing a resume, and mock interviews will be included in the course. (formerly DMS-134)

Prerequisite: DMS-132 (with a grade of C or better).

Transfers to CSU only

2 Units (LEC 32-36)

This course provides the sonography student with an introduction to vascular scanning and evaluating hemodynamics (blood flow) within the body; specifically the carotid artery, and the arteries and veins of the extremities. The course will introduce duplex imaging in the normal vessel and the expected outcomes when scanning a diseased or stenotic vessel and venous disease processes. The student will learn to correlate related diagnostic imaging procedures (angiogram, MRA and CT) with the sonographic appearances. (formerly DMS-140)

Prerequisite: DMS-500 (with a grade of C or better) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduate or Registered Technologist through ARDMS or Registered Technologist through CCI or Registered (sonography) Technologist through ARRT.

Transfers to CSU only

1.5 Unit (LAB 24-27, LEC 16-18)

This course introduces students to the principles and practices of musculoskeletal (MSK) sonography, preparing them to perform entry-level MSK ultrasound examinations. Through a combination of didactic instruction, hands-on laboratory training, and independent clinical practice, students will learn to evaluate joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue structures using high-resolution sonographic techniques. Emphasis is placed on scanning protocols, patient positioning, image optimization, and correlation with clinical history and physical findings. Students will develop proficiency in identifying normal and pathological MSK anatomy and applying sonographic findings to support diagnostic decision-making.

Prerequisite: DMS-500 (with a grade of C or better) or Diagnostic Medical Sonography Graduate or Registered Technologist through ARDMS or Registered Technologist through CCI or Registered (sonography) Technologist through ARRT or Medical Doctor Degree

Transfers to CSU only

Offered as Pass/No Pass Only

1-3 Unit (IS 16-54)

Students with previous course work in the program may do special projects that involve research and special study. The actual nature of the project must be determined in consultation with the supervising instructor. (formerly DMS-299)

Prerequisite: Two Diagnostic Medical Sonography classes must be completed prior to enrollment; a Special Projects contract must be completed with the instructor prior to enrollment.

Transfers to CSU only