Program Overview

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Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences - Nuclear Medicine

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences - Nuclear Medicine is an exciting and rewarding career in one of healthcare's most advanced imaging and therapy professions. This field utilizes radiopharmaceuticals and advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases.

Program Overview

Nuclear medicine is a dynamic healthcare field that uses safe, targeted doses of radioactive materials—called radiopharmaceuticals—alongside advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases. As a nuclear medicine technologist, you will prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals, position patients for imaging procedures, and operate sophisticated cameras and computer systems to capture detailed images of how the body is functioning.

Career Opportunities

Graduates are highly trained to work in general nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, PET/CT imaging, and theranostics. They are eligible to sit for national certification exams through both the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB).

Program Details

• Program Length: 2 years
• Median Salary: $84,870
• Average GPA of Admitted Class: 3.5

Curriculum

The Nuclear Medicine program is a four-year program in which the first and second years (61-64 credit hours) are completed at another institution before entering the 68-71 credit hour sequenced curriculum in the program. Coursework is designed to help you become an expert in radiation safety, patient care, and nuclear medicine procedures.

Year 1

Summer Semester

• Clinical Anatomy (AHS 3415, 5 credit hours)
• Medical/Professional Orientation (MIRS 3111, 1 credit hour)

Fall Semester

• Pathology (AHS 4433, 3 credit hours)
• Medical Ethics and Law (AHS 3451, 1 credit hour)
• Patient Care and Management (MIRS 3152, 2 credit hours)
• Radiologic Physics & Radiation Protection (MIRS 3193, 3 credit hours)
• Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology (MIRS 3560, 2 credit hours)
• Introduction to Nuclear Medicine (MIRS 3551, 1 credit hour)
• Core V Gen Ed Prerequisite (if needed) (AHS 3003, 3 credit hours)

Spring Semester

• Intro to Research Methods in Allied Health (AHS 4571, 1 credit hour)
• Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology (MIRS 3560, 3 credit hours)
• Sectional Anatomy & Pathology (MIRS 4152, 2 credit hours)
• Radiobiology (MIRS 4332, 2 credit hours)
• Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation (MIRS 3533, 3 credit hours)
• Nuclear Medicine Procedures I (MIRS 3554, 4 credit hours)

Year 2

Summer Semester

• Nuclear Cardiology (MIRS 3553, 3 credit hours)
• Adv Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology & Capstone (MIRS 4560, 3 credit hours)

Fall Semester

• Pharmacology (MIRS 3112, 2 credit hours)
• Principles of Computed Tomography (MIRS 4173, 3 credit hours)
• Correlative Imaging (MIRS 4272, 2 credit hours)
• Imaging Devices in Nuclear Medicine (MIRS 4533, 3 credit hours)
• Clinical Nuclear Medicine II (MIRS 4553, 3 credit hours)
• Adv Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology & Capstone (MIRS 4560, 4 credit hours)

Spring Semester

• Nuclear Pharmacy (MIRS 4521, 1 credit hour)
• Healthcare Management & Law (AHS 4452, 2 credit hours)
• Nuclear Medicine Lab Regs & Accreditation (MIRS 4522, 2 credit hours)
• Advanced PET/CT Imaging (MIRS 4573, 3 credit hours)
• Adv Clinical Nuclear Medicine Technology & Capstone (MIRS 4560, 4 credit hours)

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Nuclear Medicine program, applicants must have met the following requirements:

• Successfully completed, or be in the process of completing, a minimum of 61-64 semester credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program, including all prerequisite requirements with a 'C' or higher
• Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in previous coursework

Prerequisite Requirements

Applicants are required to complete 61-64 credit hours of coursework prior to the beginning of the program. The total credit hours should include all coursework listed below and any additional elective courses needed to reach the credit hour requirement.

No Degree, AAS, or AA/AS from Non-Oklahoma School

• General Education Coursework:
  • English Composition I (ENGL 1113, 3 credit hours)
  • English Composition II (ENGL 1213, 3 credit hours)
  • U.S. History or U.S. History 1865-Present (HIST 1483 or HIST 1493, 3 credit hours)
  • American Federal Government (P SC 1113, 3 credit hours)
  • Foreign Language 1st Course (Varies, Varies credit hours)
  • Foreign Language 2nd Course (Varies, Varies credit hours)
  • Western Culture (Varies, 3 credit hours)
  • World Culture (Varies, 3 credit hours)
  • Artistic Forms (Varies, 3 credit hours)
  • OU First Year Experience Course (Varies, 3 credit hours)
• Program Prerequisite Requirements:
  • College Algebra (MATH 1503, 3 credit hours)
  • Elements of Psychology (PSY 1113, 3 credit hours)
  • Fundamentals of General Chemistry & Lab or General Chemistry I & Lab (CHEM 1305 or CHEM 1315, 4-5 credit hours)
  • Human Anatomy (BIOL 2234 or BIOL 2255, 3-5 credit hours)
  • Human Physiology (BIOL 2124, 4 credit hours)
  • Concepts in Biology or Intro Biology: Molecule/Cell/Phys (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1124, 4-5 credit hours)
  • Medical Vocabulary (CL C 2413, 2-3 credit hours)
  • Physics for Non-Science Majors or Physics I for Life Science Majors (PHYS 1114 or PHYS 2414, 4-5 credit hours)

AA/AS from Oklahoma School

• General Education Coursework:
  • Upper-Level General Education Course (Varies, 3 credit hours)
• Program Prerequisite Requirements:
  • College Algebra (MATH 1503, 3 credit hours)
  • Elements of Psychology (PSY 1113, 3 credit hours)
  • Fundamentals of General Chemistry & Lab or General Chemistry I & Lab (CHEM 1305 or CHEM 1315, 4-5 credit hours)
  • Human Anatomy (BIOL 2234 or BIOL 2255, 3-5 credit hours)
  • Human Physiology (BIOL 2124, 4 credit hours)
  • Concepts in Biology or Intro Biology: Molecule/Cell/Phys (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1124, 4-5 credit hours)
  • Medical Vocabulary (CL C 2413, 2-3 credit hours)
  • Physics for Non-Science Majors or Physics I for Life Science Majors (PHYS 1114 or PHYS 2414, 4-5 credit hours)

Bachelor's Degree

• College Algebra (MATH 1503, 3 credit hours)
• Elements of Psychology (PSY 1113, 3 credit hours)
• Fundamentals of General Chemistry & Lab or General Chemistry I & Lab (CHEM 1305 or CHEM 1315, 4-5 credit hours)
• Human Anatomy (BIOL 2234 or BIOL 2255, 3-5 credit hours)
• Human Physiology (BIOL 2124, 4 credit hours)
• Concepts in Biology or Intro Biology: Molecule/Cell/Phys (BIOL 1005 or BIOL 1124, 4-5 credit hours)
• Medical Vocabulary (CL C 2413, 2-3 credit hours)
• Physics for Non-Science Majors or Physics I for Life Science Majors (PHYS 1114 or PHYS 2414, 4-5 credit hours)

High School Early Admission Requirements

The early admission option allows exceptional high school seniors to secure a position in one of the Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences programs (Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, or Sonography) before graduation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale
• At least three high school science credits with grades of B or better
• ACT score of 24 or SAT-I score of 1090 or higher
• Interview with a hospital supervisor in the area of interest
• 24 hours of volunteer experience in a health care setting (recommended before application deadline; required by August 1 after graduation)

Application Process

• Submit OU Health online application by December 1 of senior year
• Provide official high school transcripts and ACT/SAT scores to the OU Health Campus
• Submit interview documentation in online application

After Acceptance

• Complete volunteer hours by August 1
• Attend OU Health Campus Open House in October
• Maintain 3.25 cumulative and science GPA and complete the 64 prerequisite hours within two years after graduation

Program Details

• Location Offered: Oklahoma City
• Degree Acquired: Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences - Nuclear Medicine
• Application Window:
  • OU Health: Opens: July 15th
  • Rolling Decisions Review Start: October 1st
  • Closes: March 1st