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Bucks County Community College

Catalog

  Catalog  —  Majors and Certificate Programs  —  Health Sciences  —  Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Associate of Applied Science

Occupational Major - (Available Fall 2021)

Health Sciences
Founders Hall 112 • Phone (215) 968-8353 (option 5)
Curriculum Code No. 2205

The Associate Degree of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program is designed to prepare the student to perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations required of an entry-level general sonographer. Sonography uses sound waves to generate an image for the assessment and diagnosis of various medical conditions on a broad spectrum of patients.

Classes are conducted at the Lower Bucks Campus and clinical experience at varied locations.

To prepare competent entry level general sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains.

Graduates of this program are able to:

  • Demonstrate critical thinking skills during the performance of sonographic procedures to provide optimum diagnostic services.
  • Perform sonographic procedures appropriately and accurately recording all anatomic and physiologic information for interpretation by a physician.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills with patients and all members of the healthcare team
  • Conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Admission Procedures

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program has a limited number of spaces and admission into this program is very competitive.

To apply for the Associate of Applied Science of Diagnostic Medical Sonography, please complete the following requirements and steps:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
  • Submit an application with Bucks County Community College designating Diagnostic Medical Sonography as their major.
  • Submit previous college transcripts, if applicable, for evaluation by the Registrar.
  • Complete any placement exams that are required by Bucks County Community College.
  • Conditional approval will be based on the completion of 35 credits from the courses in the general education framework, listed below. The 35 credits must be completed with a final grade by the start of the first DXMS course. The GPA for the 35 credits must be 2.5 or better
    • COLL101- College Success Seminar
    • BIOL181- Anatomy and Physiology I (C or better)
    • BIOL182- Anatomy and Physiology II (C or better)
    • PHYS106- Physics A (C or better)
    • MATH120- College Algebra
    • COMM110- Effective Speaking
    • COMP110- English Composition I
    • COMP111- English Composition II
    • MEDA120- Medical Terminology (C or better)
    • PSYC110- Introduction to Psychology
    • Arts/Humanities Elective
  • Science and Math courses must be taken within past 7 years prior to applying.
  • Applications are accepted from January 1st to 31st of each year. Please complete an application during this time period. Accepted students are notified by the first week of March.

Once accepted into the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program, students will be required to:

  • Purchase a uniform from preferred uniform vendor.
  • Purchase all textbooks and materials.
  • Assume all responsibility for transportation to and from the clinical sites assigned.
  • Obtain and maintain current CPR certification.
  • Obtain and maintain Immunization records.
  • Complete an FBI Fingerprint Criminal Background Check, a PA Criminal Background check, Child Abuse clearance and drug screening (until clearance is received, program acceptance is provisional and may be rescinded).
  • Show proof of health insurance coverage for the student.

DMS Program Requirements

Course Credits
BIOL181
Anatomy and Physiology I A,7
4
BIOL182
Anatomy and Physiology I A
4
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
COMM110
Effective Speaking A,B,4,5
3
COMP110
English Composition I A,B,2,10
3
COMP111
English Composition II A,2,4,10
3
DXMS100
Introduction to Sonography/Patient Care A
3
DXMS101
Cross Sectional Anatomy in Sonography A
3
DXMS200
Physics and Instrumentation in Sonography I A,9
2
DXMS201
Sonography of the Abdomen with Lab A
4
DXMS202
Sonography of Superficial Parts/Vascular Structures with Lab A
3
DXMS210
Clinical Experience in Sonography I A
2
DXMS211
Sonography of OB/GYN with Lab A
4
DXMS212
Physics and Instrumentation in Sonography II A
2
DXMS215
Clinical Experience in Sonography II A
3
DXMS220
Clinical Experience in Sonography III A
3
MATH120
College Algebra A,B,6
4
MEDA120
Medical Terminology
3
PHYS106
Physics A A,B,7
4
PSYC110
Introduction to Psychology A,B,2,3,8
3
Arts/Humanities Elective C,1 3
Total Credit Hours 64

Recommended Semester Sequence

The courses in the major must be taken in the designated sequence order, as the curriculum builds from one semester to the next. Students may need more time to complete major course requirements based on placement testing or completing prerequisite coursework for general education courses.

The AAS of diagnostic medical sonography is a total of 64 credits. The 64 credits takes the full-time student six semesters to complete. The course cycle begins in the summer, not fall, thereby allowing graduates to enter the job market at the same time as those of comparable schools in the area.

Summer I

Course Credits
COLL101
College Success Seminar
1
MEDA120
Medical Terminology
3
COMM110
Effective Speaking A,B,4,5
3
Total Credit Hours 7

Fall I

Course Credits
MATH120
College Algebra A,B,6
4
BIOL181
Anatomy and Physiology I A,7
4
PSYC110
Introduction to Psychology A,B,2,3,8
3
COMP110
English Composition I A,B,2,10
3
Total Credit Hours 14

Spring I

Course Credits
BIOL182
Anatomy and Physiology I A
4
PHYS106
Physics A A,B,7
4
COMP111
English Composition II A,2,4,10
3
Arts/Humanities Elective C,1 3
Total Credit Hours 14

Summer II

Course Credits
DXMS100
Introduction to Sonography/Patient Care A
3
DXMS101
Cross Sectional Anatomy in Sonography A
3
Total Credit Hours6

Fall II

Course Credits
DXMS200
Physics and Instrumentation in Sonography I A,9
2
DXMS201
Sonography of the Abdomen with Lab A
4
DXMS202
Sonography of Superficial Parts/Vascular Structures with Lab A
3
DXMS210
Clinical Experience in Sonography I A
2
Total Credit Hours11

Spring II

Course Credits
DXMS212
Physics and Instrumentation in Sonography II A
2
DXMS211
Sonography of OB/GYN with Lab A
4
DXMS215
Clinical Experience in Sonography II A
3
Total Credit Hours9

Summer III

Course Credits
DXMS220
Clinical Experience in Sonography III A
3
Total Credit Hours3

A Course requires prerequisites.
B Placement testing required
C Consult the list of courses approved for this subcategory. Any course may be chosen.

1 Satisfies Arts/Humanities.
2 Satisfies Critical Thinking.
3 Satisfies Diversity.
4 Satisfies Information Literacy.
5 Satisfies Oral Communication.
6 Satisfies Quantitative Literacy.
7 Satisfies Scientific Literacy.
8 Satisfies Social Sciences.
9 Satisfies Technological Competence.
10 Satisfies Writing.

  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Student Handbook
  • Exercise Science
  • Health and Physical Education
  • Health Science
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Public Health
  • Sport Management
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Health Information Technology
  • Medical Assistant
  • Medical Laboratory Technician
  • Nursing - Prior to Fall 2022
  • Nursing - Fall 2022
  • Radiography
  • Computed Tomography
  • Health Coach
  • Medical Administrative Specialist
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Medical Assistant: Certificate
  • Medical Coding/Billing
  • Patient Care Technician
  • Phlebotomy
  • Recreation Leadership

Health Sciences

267-685-4952 ultrasound@bucks.edu Lower Bucks Campus

Room 230

Health Sciences

267-685-4952 ultrasound@bucks.edu Lower Bucks Campus

Room 230

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275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
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