COURSE DESCRIPTIONS  NM 110 Fundamentals of Nuclear Medicine This course will provide the student with an introduction to the department of Nuclear Medicine Technology.  Nuclear Medicine Department procedures will be reviewed.  The student will be given instruction on basic patient care skills, EKG, Venipuncture and starting IV’s, which includes both classroom instruction and clinical practice. The application of radiation safety in the Nuclear Medicine Department will be presented. Routine patient care will be reviewed with competency required.  Emergency procedures for the Nuclear Medicine Department will be presented.  The student will review and demonstrate competency in the following content areas to be successful in more advanced courses:  Anatomy and Physiology, basic mathematic applications, Chemistry and Basic Computer information. The policies and procedures of the School of Nuclear Medicine Technology, including the student handbook, will be distributed and the student will be held responsible for abiding by the policies.  NM 120 Nuclear Medicine Physics Nuclear Medicine Physics will include a review of the structure of atoms and molecules, electromagnetic forces, mass/energy conversion, ionization, and excitation.  A study of radionuclides will include nuclear structure, stabilities, radioactive series, radioactive decay and conversion laws and decay schemes.  Radioactivity will be studied in terms of the exponential decay law, calculation of the mass of a radioactive sample, specific activity, half-life, and statistics of radioactive decay.  The production of radionuclides will be presented with emphasis on methods of production and principles of a generator. Detection of radiation with gas-filled detectors and scintillation detectors will be presented. In-vitro radiation detection will be studied including well-type detectors and liquid scintillation detectors.  In-vivo radiation detection will include a study of uptake probes, bone densitometers, gamma cameras, and interfacing with a computer.  The gamma camera will include detail on the collimators, crystal, position determining circuit, and display.  Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and hybrid imaging equipment with components will also be covered.  NM 130 Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy I This course will cover the structure of the nucleus and radioactive decay. Production of radionuclides to include radionuclide generators will be included. Labeling of various radiopharmaceuticals and the characteristics of specific radiopharmaceuticals to include radiopharmacology and biodistribution will be presented. Quality control of generators, radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals will be covered. This course will cover the design considerations related to Nuclear Pharmacy. It will cover radiation dosimetry, radiation regulations and radiation protection. The therapeutic uses of radiopharmaceuticals will also be covered. The students will also receive instruction and have the opportunity to observe in the clinical setting at Pharm Corp. of Maine. NM 140 Nuclear Medicine Procedures I During this course, the student will study all aspects of nuclear imaging related to skeletal, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, endocrine system, nervous system, hematopoietic system as well as therapy procedures, oncology imaging and infection imaging procedures.  The procedures, protocols, instrumentation and radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine imaging of these systems will be studied in detail. Some of the pathologic conditions imaged in Nuclear Medicine will also be presented. In addition the basics of PET imaging and hybrid imaging will be studied. NM 150 Clinical Practicum I Clinical practice is used throughout the course to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the nuclear medicine equipment and procedures performed.  The student will perform nuclear medicine examinations during all phases of the clinical practicum.  At first the students will observe and assist the Nuclear Medicine Technologists.  The student must demonstrate competency in performing Nuclear Medicine imaging as outlined in the clinical guidelines.  As the student progresses through the practicum and gains experience, supervision will be limited as outlined in the handbook providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. NM 160 Radiobiology Radiobiology will begin with a review of radiobiology including linear energy transfer, radiation effects on cell components, cellular response, tissue response, total body response and late effects. Biological effect, equivalent dose and dose equivalent will be discussed along with weighting factors and quality factors. Clinical Nuclear Medicine will be studied in terms of the risks, terminology used, and Nuclear Medicine specifics such as exposure facts, biological variables, carcinogenesis, and genetic risks, risks to the embryo and fetus, and therapeutic use of radionuclides.  Occupational exposure will also be studied with emphasis on the basis for maximum permissible dose limits. NM 170 Nuclear Medicine Procedures II This course is a continuation of Nuclear Medicine Procedures I. More information on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to include oncology, neurology and cardiology PET imaging will be provided. Acquisition procedures, radiopharmaceuticals, standard uptake values and other quantitative data related to PET imaging will also be covered. Information on new research in the field of Nuclear Medicine Technology will be discussed. Hybrid imaging techniques will be discussed to include PET/CT. Pediatric imaging and imaging considerations for elderly patients will be covered in detail during this course. Students will be writing APA papers and presenting information on pathologic conditions related to Nuclear Medicine Technology and procedures in the field on Nuclear Medicine, PET and Molecular Imaging. Students will also complete pathology case reviews related to Nuclear Medicine Technology. NM 180 Introduction to Research Methods This course will cover the basics types of research, research methods and the components of a research study. The course will include conducting a literature search, refining the research problem to be studied and methods of conducting the research. Data analysis techniques will be covered as well as reading and evaluating research articles. Ethical and legal principles of research will be covered as well as information on writing research reports for publication in a clear and concise way. Biostatistics and computer analysis techniques will be included. Important considerations in conducting clinical research will be incorporated. In addition, avoiding bias and statistical errors in research will be covered. NM 210 Mathematics and Statistics for Nuclear Medicine This course will cover statistics used in Nuclear Medicine Technology and the healthcare field. Mathematics related to radiation protection, radiopharmaceutical preparation and radionuclide decay will be included. Calculations related to ensuring proper equipment accuracy, precision and set up will be covered. Calculations related to clinical procedures will also be covered. Statistical applications related to equipment precision will be included. In addition, statistics related to clinical data collection and research will be covered. NM 190 Clinical Practicum II Clinical practice is used throughout the course to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the nuclear medicine equipment and procedures performed.  The student will perform nuclear medicine examinations during all phases of the clinical practicum.  At first the students will observe and assist the nuclear medicine technologists.  The student must demonstrate competency in performing nuclear medicine imaging as outlined in the clinical guidelines.  As the student progresses through the practicum and gains experience, supervision will be limited as outlined in the handbook, providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. CT 100 Multiplanar Anatomy This cross sectional anatomy course will cover cross sectional anatomy to include the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine and extremities.  Axial views of all of these areas with major bones, organs and vascular structures identified will be a part of this course.  In addition pathology will be covered as it relates to its presentation on axial images. CT 110 Patient Care and Radiation Safety in CT scanning This course will cover the patient preparation instructions that are necessary to perform a CT scan.  IV procedures and assessment and monitoring of the patient will be reviewed.  In addition the types of contrast, special considerations with the use of contrast and the adverse reactions related to contrast administration will be covered.  The technical factors related to radiation safety and ways to minimize the patient dose will be taught.  Education on the special circumstances such as pediatric and pregnant patients will also be included. NM 200 Nuclear Medicine Procedures III  Information on new research in the field of Nuclear Medicine Technology will be discussed. Molecular imaging and advances in Nuclear Medicine Technology procedures will be covered. Students will be writing APA papers and presenting the information as well as completing pathology case reviews related to Nuclear Medicine Technology or PET imaging. A discussion of cultural diversity to include imaging considerations will be included. Problem solving of interesting and difficult cases encountered in the clinical setting will be included with resolutions and constructive feedback given. Ethical and legal issues related to patient care will be reviewed. CT 120 CT Procedures This course in CT procedures will include instruction on positioning the patient, setting up a scout view, setting up the equipment to include slice thickness, pitch, rotation factors and other technical aspects of acquisition set up.  When and how contrast is used to acquire the study and what dose will be used will be discussed.  The various types of reconstruction for CT images will be taught. In addition special CT procedures such as CTA and biopsies will be included.  Reviewing images for technical quality and the assessment of the need for additional views will also be included in this course. CT 130 CT Physics and Instrumentation This course will include the basics of x-ray production, the nature of x-rays and the interaction with matter. The construction of the CT scanner and the evolution from the beginning CT units to modern day units will be discussed.  Image processing and display to include reconstruction, data management and review of images to determine quality and recognize artifacts will also be covered. Quality control of the CT scanner will also be included in this course. NM 205 Clinical Practicum III Clinical practice is used throughout the semester to acquaint the student with the clinical environment and the nuclear medicine equipment and procedures performed.  The student will perform nuclear medicine examinations during all phases of the clinical practicum.  At first the students will observe and assist the nuclear medicine technologists.  The student must demonstrate competency in performing nuclear medicine imaging as outlined in the clinical guidelines. As the student progresses through the practicum and gains experience, supervision will be limited as outlined in the handbook, providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. By the end of this course most of the Nuclear Medicine Procedure competencies required for graduation need to be completed. This course will include adverse reactions and altered biodistribution of radiopharmaceuticals. An overview of the principles of molecular imaging including various probes used for molecular imaging radiopharmaceutical design will be discussed. This course will include the production of PET radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals. Regulations concerning PET radiopharmaceuticals and the specific uses of PET radiopharmaceuticals will also be included. Pharmacology of various radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals will be covered including the adverse reactions. The generators used in PET imaging and their characteristics and quality control will be covered. NM 240 Computers and Medical Informatics  This course reviews processing and display of images.  It also includes filters used in processing single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) data.  An overview of the four major quantitative cardiac perfusion software packages, as well as Gated acquisition and processing considerations are included in this course. Data processing programs used will also be covered. Computers used in the hot lab and pharmacy will also be included. This course will also cover computer networking, digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Additionally included will be the health insurance and portability act (HIPAA) and other legal issues related to medical informatics, charting and documenting patient information. Students will complete a computer lab as part of this course which will be completed at a clinical site. NM 250 Nuclear Medicine Procedures IV Scheduling and clerical issues specific to nuclear medicine will be reviewed.  Quality Assurance procedures will be demonstrated with rationale provided.  The budgeting and purchasing procedures will be discussed.  Regulating agencies and requirements for compliance will be studied.  A discussion of good public relations with rationale will be included. The managed care environment will also be studied. This course will also provide a brief overview of management styles, types of management and marketing of nuclear medicine. A review of HIPAA and radiation safety requirements will be given.  This course will cover an overview of emerging technologies, such as optical imaging and bioluminescence. In addition, factors affecting the future of healthcare will be reviewed. The course will include information about the changing healthcare environment. This course will also review ethical and legal considerations for Nuclear Medicine Technologists. NM 260 Clinical Practicum IV Clinical practice is used throughout the course to enhance the student's clinical skills and re-enforce academic material.  The student will perform the final competencies required to graduate from the Nuclear Medicine program. Students will gain efficiency in functioning as a part of the Nuclear Medicine department while being supervised as outlined in the student handbook. NM 260 Registry Review This course will review content covered in nuclear medicine and PET imaging as well as physics and radiopharmacy. In addition there will be several tests and comprehensive exams given during this course to prepare the students for the national registry exams. CT 200 Clinical Practicum I This course will be a combination of CT 140 and CT 150. Clinical practicum will be used to acquaint students with the clinical environment and the Computed Tomography equipment in that environment. In all phases of the practicum students will perform CT examinations. At first these examinations will be performed under direct supervision. As the students progress through the practicum and gain experience, supervision will be limited providing the student has passed the appropriate progress checks. Students will begin to observe, and then perform the variety and volume of studies required to apply to take the ARRT CT certification examination. All the studies required to take the ARRT CT certification exam and the appropriate number of clinical hours as outlined in the syllabus must be completed to successfully complete this course.