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Division of Allied Health

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program

Course Name: DMS 436 Physical Principles of Ultrasound and Instrumentation I

Credit Hours: 3

Trimester: Summer 2016

Time Allocation: Classroom: Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 - 9:30 am

Teaching Facility: BCHS Annex Building Room 118

Instructor: Abby Kurtz, BHS, RDMS (AB)(OB/GYN)(NE)(BR)(PS), RDCS (AE), RVT

Instructor
Contact Information: 901-572- 2649, abigail.kurtz@bchs.edu
Office: Room 217 main building, office hours by appointment

Course Description:
Designed to provide the theoretical and practical concepts of ultrasound and Doppler instrumentation. The
course focuses on ultrasound terminology, sound wave concepts, knobology, transducers, ultrasound imaging
systems, beam patterns, and tissue mechanics.

Course Student Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
• Analyze physical principles key to sound production and propagation
• Choose the correct transducer for an exam based on construction, design, and purpose
• Differentiate the scanning modes used in diagnostic medical sonography
• Identify appropriate imaging techniques used to perform diagnostic exams
• Modify and adjust operator controls to optimize image quality
• Explain computer components used in image formation

DMS 436 contributes to the development of the sonographer by incorporating the following fundamental
elements related to the program level outcomes into the course:
• Knowledge (Cognitive Domain): acoustic physics, physical principles, pulsed echo instrumentation,
and transducer technology
• Clinical Proficiency (Psychomotor Domain): proper application of physical principles utilized in the
performance of sonographic examinations and image enhancement skills using proper
instrumentation
• Behavioral Skills (Affective Domain): team work, critical thinking, communication, professionalism,
and time management

Course Evaluation Objectives: The following are targeted IDEA course evaluation learning objectives that
will be evaluated on August 4, 2016.
• ESSENTIAL: Gaining a basic understanding of the subject (e.g., factual knowledge, methods,
principles, generalizations, theories)
• ESSENTIAL: Learning to apply course material (to improve thinking, problem solving, and decisions)
• IMPORTANT: Developing specific skills, competencies, and points of view needed by professionals in
the field most related to this course
Instructional Materials:
• Required Resources
• Hedrick, W. R. (2013). Technology for diagnostic sonography. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
• Hedrick, W.R., & Wagner, P. R. (2013). Technology for diagnostic sonography: Study guide and
laboratory exercises. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
*Course syllabus is subject to change !1
 • Student membership to the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• A portable computing device is required. It will be used as needed or required for various
activities and/or assignment(s) throughout the term. Recommended specifications can be
found on: MyCampus - How To’s Tab – FAQs https://mycampus.bchs.edu/ICS/How_To's/
• Type of course: Web-Assisted Course using Moodle
• To access Moodle go to http://bchs.mrooms3.net/
• Personal college username and password is required to access Moodle
• Students will meet with the faculty member during the first week of classes to participate in
an online education session on the use of Moodle software
• Computer Support: It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they have access to a
computer. Refer to the IT department for technical difficulties or questions at
is.support@bmhcc.org
• The Moodle grade book is for communication of grades only. The Moodle grade book is not
the official grade book; the official grade book is maintained by the course instructor and
contains the grades of record.

College Policies/ Guidelines: Baptist College policies are published on MyCampus for student viewing.
Summaries of specific policies are noted below.
• Academic Integrity: According to the Baptist College student handbook, academic integrity is a core
value held by Baptist College of Health Sciences and a consistent expectation of all members of the
institution’s learning community. The College considers academic dishonesty unacceptable from the
perspectives of personal honesty, credible learning in the classroom, and professional practice and
behavior.
• Honor Code: According to the Baptist College student handbook, all students are expected to sign
and abide by the Baptist College of Health Sciences Honor Code. Evidence of a violation is subject to
investigation.
• Intellectual Property Ownership & Copyright: Baptist College has a specific policy in place regarding
intellectual property and copyright. It is critical for students to be familiar with this policy including
disciplinary actions.
• Internet Access and Information Technology Policies: Baptist College has specific policies in place
regarding Internet access and information technology. It is critical for students to be familiar with
these policies including disciplinary actions.
• College Guidelines for Restroom Breaks During Testing Times: Restroom breaks are allowed during
testing. If you need a restroom break, please notify the instructor upon leaving and upon your
return. The time taken for this break will be deducted from the overall testing time, unless
otherwise stated.

Course Policies/ Guidelines: These are not institutional policies/ guidelines and are only applicable to this
course.
• Attendance and Tardiness: Attendance and punctuality for all planned experiences in the classroom
are expected. Students will receive a participation grade of 0 for missed class. Students will receive
a grade of 0 for missed clinical application activities. Tardiness to class will result in a 50% reduction
in the participation grade for that day.
• Electronic Devices Requirements: All electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, etc.) must be set to
silent or off during scheduled class and laboratory activities.
• Instructor will notify students either in person or via email at least 24 hours in advance if a
laptop/portable computing device is required for specific class or lab meetings
• Usage of electronic devices for nonacademic reasons (including text messaging) is prohibited
during scheduled class and laboratory times.
• This includes all classroom activities and following tests.
• Violation of this course rule will result in a zero (0) for the class participation grade and the
student will be required to put the electronic device away for the remainder of the day.

*Course syllabus is subject to change !2

 • Policy for Late Assignments: Late assignments may be awarded a maximum of 50% of the point value
of the original assignment if turned in within one week of the original due date. All late assignments
received after one week of the original date will receive a grade of 0.

• Policy for Make-up Exams and Quizzes: Students will receive a grade of 0 for missed exams. If the
student has contacted the instructor in advance of the scheduled test time a make-up exam will be
given and a 10-point deduction will be taken from the final test grade. All make-up exams must be
scheduled and taken within 1 week of absence. Instructor has the right to grant exceptions in
emergency situations. Quizzes cannot be made up.

Academic Accommodations: Students with disabilities who have accessibility questions or who need
accommodations should contact the section 504/ADA Coordinator by sending an email to
disability.accommodations@bchs.edu or by phone at 901-572-2570.

Academic Support Services: Baptist College provides appropriate resources to assist student learning.
Explore these available resources at: https://mycampus.bchs.edu/ICS/Learning_ResourcesLibrary/

Course Grade – Standards the student must achieve to satisfactorily complete the course
Grade Scale: A = 93-100 B = 85-92 C = 77-84 D = 70-76 F = 76 and below

Midterm and final grades will be rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, a 90.5 will be
recorded as a 91. A 90.4 will be recorded as a 90.

Final Course Grade Calculation: Calculated from exam grades (80%) and assignment grades (20%)
• Final course grade of less than 77 will result in failure of the course

• Examinations = 70% of final course grade

• Students must have an overall exam average of 77 to successfully pass the course.
• Students will complete 5 multiple-choice exams. The exams will be averaged together to
make up 70% of the final course grade.
• Refer to the course content outline learning modules for specific content covered on each
exam. Below is a brief description of each exam.
▪ Exam one May 24, 2016 (Learning Module 1: Properties of Sound Waves, Interactions,
Intensity and Power)
▪ Exam two June 16, 2016 (Learning Module 2: Single-Element Transducers and Static
Imaging)
▪ Exam three July 14, 2016 (Learning Module 3: Image Formation in Real-Time Imaging
and Real-Time Ultrasound Transducers)
▪ Exam four August 2, 2016 (Learning Module 4: Real-Time Ultrasound Instrumentation
and Digital Signal and Image Processing)
▪ Exam five August 16, 2016 (Comprehensive Final Exam)

• Assignments = 30% of final course grade

• Students must have an overall assignment average of 77 to successfully pass the course.
• Refer to Moodle for assignment details and grading rubrics. Below is a brief description of
assignments.
• Assignment grades will be calculated using the following:
▪ “I am a Pulse” paper (20%) – due by 8:00 am on July 21st
▪ SDMS journal article assignments (20%) – refer to Moodle and Course Content Outline
for due dates
▪ Quizzes (20%) – to be completed in class on dates indicated in Course Content Outline
o Additional quizzes may be given at the instructor’s discretion
▪ Instrumentation Assessment (10%) – to be completed in class on August 4th
▪ Clinical application activities (10%) – to be completed in class on dates indicated in
Course Content Outline

*Course syllabus is subject to change !3

 ▪ Group Presentations (10%) – to be completed in class on dates indicated in Course
Content Outline
o Refer to Moodle for group assignments and presentation topics
▪ Class Participation (10%)

Expectations for Satisfactory Performance: In order to be successful in this course, it is the expectation of
the faculty that the student must:
• Complete reading and review materials on Moodle prior to class meetings
• Be active in class participation; this includes lectures, hands-on activities, and group presentations
• Contact instructor for questions or clarification
• Make appointments with instructor and/or complete the Additional Help Form when you need
assistance
• Practice time management when completing assignments and studying for examinations
• Utilize college services for assistance with stress, test taking or study skills, health concerns or other
issues

DMS 436 Physical Principles of Ultrasound and Instrumentation I Course Content Outline
**Course outline is subject to change**

Learning Module 1
Date Chapter and Class Topic Class Activity and Assignment Due Dates
Pages
May 4 Syllabus Review syllabus, assignments, and the use
of Moodle
May 5 1 p. 1-5 Properties of sound waves Class discussion
May 10 1 p. 5-8 Properties of sound waves Quiz
Class discussion
May 12 2 p. 9-14 Interactions Class discussion
May 17 2 p. 14-19 Interactions Class discussion
May 19 3 Intensity and Power Class discussion
May 24 Exam 1
Learning Module 2
Date Chapter and Class Topic Class Activity and Assignment Due Dates
Pates
May 26 4 p. 29-33 Single-Element Transducers: Class discussion
Properties
May 31 4 p. 33-38 Single-Element Transducers: Quiz
Properties Class discussion
June 2 5 p. 39-44 Single-Element Transducers: Class discussion
Transmission and Echo Reception
June 7 5 p. 45-50 Single-Element Transducers: Class discussion
Transmission and Echo Reception
June 9 6 Static Imaging Principles and Class discussion
Instrumentation

*Course syllabus is subject to change !4

June 14 Group Presentations
June 16 Exam 2
Learning Module 3
Date Chapter and Class Topic Class Activity and Assignment Due Dates
Pages
June 21 7 p. 57-61 Image Formation in Real-Time Class discussion
Imaging
June 23 7 p. 61-64 Image Formation in Real-Time Class discussion
Imaging
June 28 8 p. 65-75 Real-Time Ultrasound Transducers Class discussion
Genovese SDMS journal article
assignment due by 8:00 am
June 30 8 p. 75-81 Real-Time Ultrasound Transducers Quiz
Lab 5 Class discussion
p. 116-117 Transmit Focus clinical application
July 4th – 8th – Summer Break – no class
July 12 Group Presentations
July 14 Exam 3
Learning Module 4
Date Chapter and Class Topic Class Activity and Assignment Due Dates
Pages
July 19 9 p. 83-87 Real-Time Ultrasound Class discussion
Lab 1 p. 105 Instrumentation Display Depth, Frame Rate, Freeze Frame,
and Cine Loop clinical application
Lab 2 Overall Gain and Output Power clinical
p. 108-109 application
July 21 9 p. 87-99, Real-Time Ultrasound Class discussion
103 Instrumentation “I am a Pulse” paper due by 8:00 am

July 26 10 p. Digital Signal and Image Processing Quiz

105-111 Class discussion
Lab 7 p. 122 Dynamic Range clinical application
Lab 9 p. 126 Gray-Scale Mapping clinical application
July 28 10 p. Digital Signal and Image Processing Class discussion
112-116 Magnification (Write Zoom) clinical
Lab 6 application
p. 119-120 Persistence (Frame Averaging) clinical
Lab 8 p. 124 application
Milburn SDMS journal article assignment
due by 8:00 am
Aug 2 Exam 4
Aug 4 Instrumentation Assessment
IDEA Evaluation

*Course syllabus is subject to change !5

Aug 9 No class meeting
Aug 16 Exam 5 – Comprehensive Final

Course Refund Policy and Dates for Tuition and Fees: This policy applies to dropping a course or
withdrawing from school:
• A student who withdraws from a course on or before the published registration date for the

term in which they are enrolled will receive 100% Tuition and Course Fee Refund
• For the Summer 2016 trimester, the REGISTRATION date is May 2, 2016.
• A student who withdraws from a course after the published registration date for the term in which
the student is enrolled through the change/add period specified for the course will receive a 100%
Tuition Only Refund
o For courses that begin on 5/04/16 and end on 8/16/16, this TUITION ONLY REFUND date is
May 11, 2016.
• No tuition or fee refund will be processed after the change/add period specified for each course.
• Course fees are non-refundable after the published registration date for the term.
• A schedule of specific refund dates for each term will be published on the College website and will
be distributed to all students via email and course syllabi each trimester.
• All fees not related to a course are non-refundable.

*Course syllabus is subject to change !6

DMS 436 Bre Kris Oli Tay Sto Cor Ash Ha Kat Juli Brit Lin
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*Course syllabus is subject to change !7

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*Course syllabus is subject to change !8

*Course syllabus is subject to change !9