Program Overview
The Nuclear Medicine Science program at the University of the Incarnate Word prepares students for a career in Nuclear Medicine Technology. The program's curriculum includes coursework in mathematics, ethics, nuclear medicine science, biology, chemistry, and physics. Graduates will be able to safely perform a wide variety of clinical procedures and have competent skills in radiopharmaceutical dosage, calculation and administration, the operation of imaging devices, and the operation of radiation detection monitoring devices.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Nuclear Medicine Science program at the University of the Incarnate Word leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program's mission is to prepare individuals with the clinical and didactic experience necessary for successful entry into the Nuclear Medicine Technology profession. The goal of the program is to enable students to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform a wide variety of clinical procedures. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate with patients and have competent skills in: radiopharmaceutical dosage, calculation and administration, the operation of imaging devices, and the operation of radiation detection monitoring devices.
Outline:
The Nuclear Medicine Science program's curriculum includes:
- Mathematics Requirement: 6 hours of coursework that includes:
- MATH 1311 Precalculus
- MATH 2303 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
- Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of coursework that includes one of the following:
- PHIL 3333 Applied Ethics
- PHIL 3332 Ethics
- RELS 1360 Christian Ethics
- Nuclear Medicine Science Core Requirement: 55 hours of coursework that includes:
- NMED 2420 Patient Care Technologies
- NMED 3210 Health Assessment and Communication for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- NMED 3305 Application of Radionuclides
- NMED 3310 Pathophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- NMED 3320 Medical Radiation Safety
- NMED 4310 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine
- NMED 4312 Molecular Imaging and the Physics of Medical Imaging
- NMED 4322 Radiopharmacy, Radiochemistry, and Radioimmunoassay
- NMED 4331 Instrumentation
- NMED 4341 Radiation Biology/Biophysics
- NMED 4361 Nuclear Medicine Registry Review
- NMED 4510 Nuclear Cardiology
- NMED 4545 Principles of PET and PET/CT
- NMED 4604 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I
- NMED 4606 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II
- Biology Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
- BIOL 2321/2121 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- BIOL 2322/2122 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- Chemistry Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
- CHEM 1301 Chemical Principles I
- CHEM 1302 Chemical Principles II
- CHEM 1203 General Chemistry Lab
- Physics Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
- PHYS 1301/1101 General Physics I with Lab
- PHYS 1302/1102 General Physics II with Lab
Assessment:
The Nuclear Medicine Science program uses various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:
- Written exams
- Quizzes
- Clinical evaluations
- Practical exams
- Oral presentations
- Case studies
Teaching:
The Nuclear Medicine Science program's faculty includes mathematicians, physicists, technologists, physicians, radiopharmacists, and radiation physicists. Faculty members use a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Demonstrations
- Laboratory exercises
- Clinical rotations The program also incorporates unique approaches to teaching, such as:
- Team-based learning
- Problem-based learning
- Simulation-based learning
Careers:
Graduates of the Nuclear Medicine Science program have several vocational options, including:
- Nuclear Medicine Technology: Hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, regulatory agencies
- Medical or Graduate Schools: Further education in medicine or other related fields
- Education or Administration: Teaching or administration in the field of nuclear medicine technology
