Nuclear Medicine Technology (NUC)

NUC 149 Introduction to Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology (W)

This course is a basic introduction to nuclear medicine principles and clinical procedures. Areas of emphasis include fundamentals of nuclear medicine imaging, radiation safety, patient care and venipuncture.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisites: Completed health record, acceptance into the Nuclear Medicine Technology program and NUC 200.

NUC 200 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine Technology (AU)

This course is a prerequisite for all other Nuclear Medicine Technology courses. Areas of emphasis include fundamentals of nuclear medicine imaging, medical ethics, quality control testing, and radiopharmaceuticals.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: Admission to program

NUC 213 Physics and Nuclear Imaging I: Lecture (W)

3 credits
This course will introduce the basic concepts of the atom, nuclear physics, interactions between radiation and matter, and nuclear imaging and counting devices. Lectures will emphasize the fundamentals of radioactivity and radioactive decay, radionuclides, basic statistics and quantitative measurements used in nuclear medicine, and computers and computer programming.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 200

NUC 214 Physics and Nuclear Imaging I: Lab (W)

1 credit
This course will introduce the basic concepts of the atom, nuclear physics, interactions between radiation and matter, and nuclear imaging and counting devices. Lab exercises will emphasize the fundamentals of radioactivity and radioactive decay, radionuclides, basic statistics and quantitative measurements used in nuclear medicine, and computers and computer programming.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 200
Lab fee: $10.00

NUC 215 Physics and Nuclear Imaging II: Lecture (SP)

3 credits
This course serves as a continuation of NUC 213 and 214 Physics and Nuclear Imaging I. This course will consist of a lecture series that will provide an in-depth study of the electronics of imaging and counting devices, fundamentals of collimation, operational characteristics of radiation detector systems and imaging devices including Anger type single and multicrystal cameras, single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET) detectors, and scintillation probe, survey meter, and dose calibrator type counting devices.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisites: NUC 213, NUC 214

NUC 216 Physics and Nuclear Imaging II: Lab (SP)

1 credit
This course serves as a continuation of NUC 215 Physics and Nuclear Imaging II Lecture. This course will consist of a lab series that will provide an in-depth study of the electronics of imaging and counting devices, fundamentals of collimation, operational characteristics of radiation detector systems and imaging devices including Anger type single and multicrystal cameras, single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET) detectors, and scintillation probe, survey meter, and dose calibrator type counting devices.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: NUC 213, NUC 214
Lab fee: $10.00

NUC 217 Physics and Nuclear Imaging III: Lecture (SU)

3 credits
This course is a continuation of NUC 215 and 216 Physics and Nuclear Imaging II. Through lecture, it will emphasize record keeping, nuclear regulations and licensure, and an advanced study of the operational characteristics of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and single and multicrystal camera operations and performance. This course will also provide an in-depth knowledge of nuclear imaging and counting device quality control, quality assurance, and acceptance testing programs.
Lecture: 3 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 215, NUC 216

NUC 218 Physics and Nuclear Imaging III: Lab (SU)

1 credits
This course is a continuation of NUC 215 and 216 Physics and Nuclear Imaging II. Through lab exercises, it will emphasize record keeping, nuclear regulations and licensure, and an advanced study of the operational characteristics of single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and single and multicrystal camera operations and performance. This course will also provide an in-depth knowledge of nuclear imaging and counting device quality control, quality assurance, and acceptance testing programs.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite NUC 215, NUC 216
Lab fee: $10.00

NUC 232 Radiation Safety and Protection (A)

2 credits
This course enables students to understand the duties of a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and a radiation safety program. The radiation safety program outlines the radiation protection of technologists and the public by teaching the basis of radiation measurement, the practical methods of radiation protection (time, distance, and shielding), use of personnel monitoring devices, compliance with federal, state, and local regulations including ALARA, maintenance of required records, compliance with receipt and disposal regulations of all radionuclides, supervision of a quality management program for therapeutic dosages and follow-up procedures, performance of appropriate radiation surveys and decontamination procedures, disposal of radioactive waste, and conduction of in-service education programs.
Lecture: 2 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: Accepted into program

NUC 234 Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy I (W)

3 credits
This course will present the basics of operating a hospital-or commercial-based nuclear pharmacy by emphasizing radiopharmaceutical receipt and storage, physical and biological characteristics of radiopharmaceutical generators, preparation, quality control, activity unit calculations, administration of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and FDA, NRC, and State Regulations. All commonly used radiopharmaceuticals will be discussed along with their associated methods of localization.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisites: NUC 232, CHEM 113

NUC 235 Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy II (SP)

4 credits
This course is a continuation of NUC 234 Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy I and will review and practice during lecture and lab exercises the basics of operating a hospital or commercial nuclear pharmacy by emphasizing radiopharmaceuticals, generators, radiopharamceutical preparation, radiopharmaceutical quality control, radiopharmaceutical activity and unit calculations, administration of diagnostic and therapeutic radioparmaceuticals and FDA, NRC, and State regulations. All commonly used radiopharmaceuticals will be discussed along with their associated methods and localization.
Lecture: 3 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: NUC 234, CHEM 113
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 240 Seminar I (A)

1 credit
This class will devote class sections to the discussion of new technology including techniques, imaging modalities, and equipment. In addition the students will prepare a literature search project that will review the nuclear medicine literature for pertinent changes in the nuclear medicine core areas.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 252

NUC 241 Seminar II (W)

1 credit
This class will continue to devote class sections for the discussion of new technology including techniques, imaging modalities, and equipment. This class will also discuss responsibilities including the preparation of a nuclear medicine budget, the purchase/lease of new equipment, and administrative duties including a review of the insurance and governmental reimbursement process.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 240

NUC 242 Seminar III (SP)

1 credit
This class is a continuation of Seminar II and, in addition, will include a comprehensive review of the content areas covered by the American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT [N]), and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) examinations.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 241

NUC 251 Clinical Theory and Procedures I (SP)

5 credits
This course sequence introduces to the student how a diagnostic study is completed from start to finish. Pre-study preparations will be emphasized including scheduling of patients, choosing the proper radiopharmaceutical, basic patient preparations, and providing patient care and maintaining communication. General study procedures will then be introduced by reviewing the applicable anatomy/physiology and methods of pharmaceutical localization, discussing the performance of imaging procedures including selecting the proper camera or instrument, introducing proper patient and camera positioning, utilizing imaging techniques and methodologies, and performing data manipulation, image processing, and image critique. Adult/pediatric considerations and procedures will be discussed.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisites: NUC 200, NUC 234
Lab fee: $20.00

NUC 252 Clinical Theory and Procedures II (SU)

5 credits
This course will continue to emphasize the fundamentals previously introduced in Section I while covering procedures that study the cardiovascular, central nervous, endocrine, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, pulmonary, and musculoskeletal systems. Adult/pediatric considerations and procedures will be discussed. Cross sectional or SPECT images will be emphasized.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 251
Lab fee: $20.00

NUC 254 Clinical Theory and Procedures III (SU)

5 credits
This course will continue to emphasize the fundamentals previously introduced in Sections I and II while covering additional procedures that study the hematological system, infection imaging, and tumor imaging. Special emphasis will be placed on Positron Emission Tomography (PET) methodologies including fusion technologies that allow the superimposition of PET with CT or MRI Images. Adult/pediatric considerations and procedures will be discussed. Therapeutic procedures will also be studied including therapies of the endocrine, hematological, intracavitary, and skeletal systems. An in-depth study of federal (NRC and FDA) and state regulations regarding therapy procedures will be reviewed.
Lecture: 4 hours – Lab: 2 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 252
Lab fee: $20.00

NUC 260 Clinical Practicum I (SP)

3 credits
In this first clinical practicum, the student will rotate through clinical hospitals and private offices and, while accompanied by a registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist, will become familiar with the care and positioning of the patient and camera. Proficiency requirements are completed using a competency-based format. Students are required to complete a portion of the “Required and Elective Procedures” list that will be reviewed at the completion of each practicum course. This “Required and Elective Procedures” list will need to be 100% completed by the end of Clinical Practicum V. A special form will be utilized to allow the student to list how the study was conducted. This same form will be utilized in the “Projects in Nuclear Medicine” class. Technologist film critique and physician interpretation are incorporated into the form to provide a correlation of all factors that comprise a finished nuclear medicine image(s) to include an analysis of the structure or organ that was imaged/counted, patient positioning, radiation protection, and date processing.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 0 hours – Clinical: 16 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 234
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 261 Clinical Practicum II (SU)

2 credits
As a continuation of Clinical I, Clinical II provides the practical experience for the student to work more independently as a technologist and is designed to enhance and compliment didactic/lab studies. Nuclear medicine imaging/counting procedures, instrumentation, radiopharmaceutical injection/patient preparation, data and image processing, and assisting with quality assurance procedures will be emphasized.
Lecture: 0 hour – Lab: 0 hours – Clinical: 16 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 260
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 262 Clinical Practicum III (A)

3 credits
As a continuation of Clinical II, Clinical III provides the practical experience for the student to work more independently as a technologist, and is designed to enhance and complement didactic/lab studies. Nuclear medicine imaging/counting procedures, instrumentation, radiopharmaceutical preparation under supervision, radiopharmaceutical injection/patient preparation, data and image processing, and performing/critiquing quality assurance procedures are emphasized. Film critique and physician review are continued.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 0 hours – Clinical: 24 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 261
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 263 Clinical Practicum IV (W)

3 credits
As a continuation of Clinical III, Clinical IV provides the practical experience for the student to work more independently as a technologist, and is designed to enhance and complement didactic/lab studies. In addition to the hospital rotations, students are to begin rotational shifts in the commercial/hospital based radiopharmacies, radiation safety offices, radiologist/nuclear medicine physician reading rooms, and human resource departments. They are to prepare radiopharmaceuticals, communicate to patients, conduct imaging/counting/therapeutic studies, perform data and SPECT analysis, conduct image processing, and perform quality assurance procedures with little supervision. Film critique and physician review are continued.
Lecture: 0 hour – Lab: 0 hours – Clinical: 24 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 262
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 264 Clinical Practicum V (SP)

3 credits
As a continuation of Clinical IV, Clinical V provides the practical experience for the student to work more independently as technologist, and is designed to enhance and complement didactic/lab studies. Students in addition to the hospital rotations are to continue to rotate through commercial/hospital based radiopharmacies, radiation safety offices, radiologist/nuclear medicine physician reading rooms, and human resource departments. Students will be required to present their completed “Required and Elective Procedures” list in which they will prove their competency to perform the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals, communicate to patients, conduct imaging/counting/therapeutic studies, perform data and SPECT analysis, conduct image processing, and perform quality assurance procedures with little supervision. Film critique and physician review are continued.
Lecture: 0 hours – Lab: 0 hours – Clinical: 24 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 263
Lab fee: $75.00

NUC 270 Case Studies I (A)

1 credit
This course will allow students to critique how a nuclear medicine study was conducted and to understand differential diagnosis based on that study. Cases presented will come from the archives of the clinical sites or the Society of Nuclear Medicine either in the form of films to be shown on a view box, computer display, or from a CD-ROM that can be viewed off site if necessary. The students will also present interesting cases. Students will be responsible for filling out a critique and diagnosis form for each case reviewed.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 261

NUC 271 Case Studies II (W)

1 credit
This class will be a continuum of NUC 270 Case Studies I. The students will conduct the case studies in this course by completing a predetermined number of mandatory and elective case studies. The students will be responsible for conducting the patient exam from start to finish, and to complete a form for each case study. Conduction of the exam is to include taking the patient history, determining the pre-test diagnosis, preparing and administrating the radiopharmaceutical, preparing, positioning, computing, and completing the exam on a camera/computer/counting device, critiquing the exam, displaying/presenting the exam to a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician, and explaining the post-test diagnosis and problems encountered while conducting the examination. Presentations to the class will be an integral part of the course.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 270

NUC 273 Projects in Nuclear Medicine Technology (SP)

1 credit
This course will enable the student to conduct a project that will contribute to what the student will utilize in his/her future career. In most cases, a procedure manual will be required to be completed that will be 75% prepared from the completion of the “Required and Elective Procedures” list that was utilized in Clinical Practicum classes I-V. A special form will be utilized that will standardize the manual. This form will be given to the student beginning in Clinical Practicum I, which will enable the student to accumulate these procedures as they progress through their Clinical Practicum courses.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 0 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 271

NUC 280 Cross Modality Directed Practice (SP)

2 credits
This course is designed to present the theory and operation of CT technology, to include quality management and an overview of pertinent sectional anatomy in a didactic format, followed by supervised clinical education at multiple imaging facilities.
Lecture: 1 hour – Lab: 5 hours
Prerequisite: NUC 263