Nuclear Medicine Science Program

The Nuclear Medicine Science program offers an accredited curriculum leading to a bachelor of science degree. The mission of the Nuclear Medicine Science program is to prepare individuals with the clinical and didactic experience necessary for successful entry into the Nuclear Medicine Technology profession.

Program Description

Nuclear medicine is an exciting health care field that uses advanced scientific methods to scan and create images of the human body. Technologists are experts in not only taking but helping to analyze these scans to help physicians arrive at a diagnosis and a treatment.

Program Goals

The goal of the Nuclear Medicine Science program is to enable the student to confidently possess the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform a wide variety of clinical procedures. Students will also be able to effectively communicate with patients with competent skills in: radiopharmaceutical dosage, calculation and administration, the operation of imaging devices, and operation of radiation detection monitoring devices.

Career Opportunities

As a highly-specialized member of the healthcare profession, graduates from this degree program have several vocational options, including but not limited to, Nuclear Medicine Technology (hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, regulatory agencies), entry into medical or graduate schools and careers in education or administration in the specialty.

Accreditation

The nuclear medicine technology program at the University of the Incarnate Word is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT).

Degree Requirements

The Nuclear Medicine Science major requires the student to complete 120 credit hours for graduation. This includes 45 hours of residency, 36 advanced hours (junior/community college courses will not satisfy), 36 of the last 45 hours from UIW, 45 clock hours community service and computer literacy (test or course credit).

Course Requirements

To fulfill the requirements for this degree program, the student must complete undergraduate coursework, including the university core curriculum and the following major specific requirements:

• Mathematics Requirement: 6 hours of coursework that includes:
  • MATH 1311 Precalculus
  • MATH 2303 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of coursework that includes one of the following:
  • PHIL 3333 Applied Ethics
  • PHIL 3332 Ethics
  • RELS 1360 Christian Ethics
• Nuclear Medicine Science Core Requirement: 55 hours of coursework that includes:
  • NMED 2420 Patient Care Technologies
  • NMED 3210 Health Assessment and Communication for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • NMED 3305 Application of Radionuclides
  • NMED 3310 Pathophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • NMED 3320 Medical Radiation Safety
  • NMED 4310 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine
  • NMED 4312 Molecular Imaging and the Physics of Medical Imaging
  • NMED 4322 Radiopharmacy, Radiochemistry, and Radioimmunoassay
  • NMED 4331 Instrumentation
  • NMED 4341 Radiation Biology/Biophysics
  • NMED 4361 Nuclear Medicine Registry Review
  • NMED 4510 Nuclear Cardiology
  • NMED 4545 Principles of PET and PET/CT
  • NMED 4604 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I
  • NMED 4606 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II
• Biology Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
  • BIOL 2321/2121 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
  • BIOL 2322/2122 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
• Chemistry Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
  • CHEM 1301 Chemical Principles I
  • CHEM 1302 Chemical Principles II
  • CHEM 1203 General Chemistry Lab
• Physics Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
  • PHYS 1301/1101 General Physics I with Lab
  • PHYS 1302/1102 General Physics II with Lab

Course Descriptions

• 2420 Patient Care Technologies: Focuses on the development of clinical skills necessary for safe clinical practice.
• 3210 Health Assessment and Communication for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist: Focus on theory and skills of health assessment including health history and physical examination.
• 3305 Application of Radionuclides: This course is an in-depth study of the current use of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic imaging of organ visualization/function, evaluation of results, pathology and therapy for all major organ systems.
• 3310 Pathophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technologist: This is an introductory course examining disease process and pathophysiology of the systems for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
• 3320 Medical Radiation Safety: This course studies patient care and the regulations required by federal and state agencies.
• 4310 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine: An introduction to the field of nuclear medicine.
• 4312 Molecular Imaging and the Physics of Medical Imaging: Explored in this course are the interaction of matter with x-rays, x-ray and gamma ray production, film processing, and molecular imaging technologies.
• 4322 Radiopharmacy, Radiochemistry, and Radioimmunoassay: This course examines radionuclide production, mechanisms of radionuclide localization the use and preparation of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
• 4331 Instrumentation: A didactic course designed to provide the student with the theoretical principles as well as the application of instrumentation and radiation detection equipment used for procedures in nuclear medicine and CT.
• 4341 Radiation Biology/Biophysics: This course is a comprehensive study of the effects of radiation in the body, resulting from radiation interactions.
• 4361 Nuclear Medicine Registry Review: A didactic course taken during the final semester of the senior year to review core competencies, clinical procedures, pathology, radiation safety, instrumentation and radiopharmacy in preparation for the national registry/certification exams.
• 4510 Nuclear Cardiology: The course is designed to teach the student the in depth understanding of Nuclear Cardiology.
• 4545 Principles of PET and PET/CT: This course offers an emphasis on the applications of PET and CT imaging.
• 4604 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I: A clinical course taken during the senior year.
• 4606 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II: Continuation of the clinical practicum, taken during the final semester of the senior year.

Degree Overview:

The Nuclear Medicine Science program at the University of the Incarnate Word leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program's mission is to prepare individuals with the clinical and didactic experience necessary for successful entry into the Nuclear Medicine Technology profession. The goal of the program is to enable students to possess the knowledge and skills necessary to safely perform a wide variety of clinical procedures. Graduates will be able to effectively communicate with patients and have competent skills in: radiopharmaceutical dosage, calculation and administration, the operation of imaging devices, and the operation of radiation detection monitoring devices.

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Outline:

The Nuclear Medicine Science program's curriculum includes:

• Mathematics Requirement: 6 hours of coursework that includes:
• MATH 1311 Precalculus
• MATH 2303 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
• Ethics Requirement: 3 hours of coursework that includes one of the following:
• PHIL 3333 Applied Ethics
• PHIL 3332 Ethics
• RELS 1360 Christian Ethics
• Nuclear Medicine Science Core Requirement: 55 hours of coursework that includes:
• NMED 2420 Patient Care Technologies
• NMED 3210 Health Assessment and Communication for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• NMED 3305 Application of Radionuclides
• NMED 3310 Pathophysiology for Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• NMED 3320 Medical Radiation Safety
• NMED 4310 Introduction to Nuclear Medicine
• NMED 4312 Molecular Imaging and the Physics of Medical Imaging
• NMED 4322 Radiopharmacy, Radiochemistry, and Radioimmunoassay
• NMED 4331 Instrumentation
• NMED 4341 Radiation Biology/Biophysics
• NMED 4361 Nuclear Medicine Registry Review
• NMED 4510 Nuclear Cardiology
• NMED 4545 Principles of PET and PET/CT
• NMED 4604 Clinical Nuclear Medicine I
• NMED 4606 Clinical Nuclear Medicine II
• Biology Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
• BIOL 2321/2121 Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
• BIOL 2322/2122 Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
• Chemistry Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
• CHEM 1301 Chemical Principles I
• CHEM 1302 Chemical Principles II
• CHEM 1203 General Chemistry Lab
• Physics Core Requirement: 8 hours of coursework that includes:
• PHYS 1301/1101 General Physics I with Lab
• PHYS 1302/1102 General Physics II with Lab

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Assessment:

The Nuclear Medicine Science program uses various assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Written exams
• Quizzes
• Clinical evaluations
• Practical exams
• Oral presentations
• Case studies

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Teaching:

The Nuclear Medicine Science program's faculty includes mathematicians, physicists, technologists, physicians, radiopharmacists, and radiation physicists. Faculty members use a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Demonstrations
• Laboratory exercises
• Clinical rotations
The program also incorporates unique approaches to teaching, such as:
• Team-based learning
• Problem-based learning
• Simulation-based learning

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Careers:

Graduates of the Nuclear Medicine Science program have several vocational options, including:

• Nuclear Medicine Technology: Hospitals, clinics, research laboratories, regulatory agencies
• Medical or Graduate Schools: Further education in medicine or other related fields
• Education or Administration: Teaching or administration in the field of nuclear medicine technology

University of The Incarnate Word

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Overview:

University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) is a private Catholic university located in San Antonio, Texas. Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, UIW is the largest Catholic university in Texas and is known for its commitment to serving the community and providing a transformative educational experience.

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Services Offered:

UIW offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Advising, tutoring, writing and learning center, career services, testing services, TRiO program, and first-generation student support.

Student Life:

Residence life, student life activities, student advocacy, wellness and sports programs, counseling, and health services.

Financial Aid:

Aid and award process, cost estimation, calculators, scholarship resources, work study, loan assistance, forms, tuition and fees information, verification process, consumer information, and FAQs.

Military and Veterans Center:

Admissions, support services, and resources for military personnel and veterans.

International Student and Scholar Services:

Support and resources for international students.

School of Professional Studies (SPS):

Admissions and student success services.

Health Professions Student Services:

Specific services for students in the Feik School of Pharmacy, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rosenberg School of Optometry, and School of Rehabilitation Sciences.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

UIW offers a vibrant campus life with a variety of student organizations, clubs, and activities. Students can participate in athletics, intramural sports, music and arts programs, community service initiatives, and social events. The university also has a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Strong Academic Programs:

UIW offers over 100 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, and over 20 graduate and doctoral programs.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

UIW is a Hispanic Serving Institution and ranks No. 1 in the nation among faith-based universities graduating Hispanic students with bachelor’s degrees.

Faith-Based Education:

UIW provides a Catholic educational experience that emphasizes values, ethics, and service to others.

Excellent Faculty:

UIW has a dedicated faculty committed to student success and providing a high-quality education.

Strong Alumni Network:

UIW has a large and active alumni network that provides support and opportunities for students.

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Academic Programs:

UIW has 11 schools and colleges, including five health professions schools:

College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences

Dreeben School of Education

Feik School of Pharmacy

H-E-B School of Business and Administration

Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions

Rosenberg School of Optometry

School of Mathematics, Science and Engineering

School of Media and Design

School of Osteopathic Medicine

School of Rehabilitation Sciences

School of Professional Studies

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Other:

UIW is a leader in transformational education and inspires students to ignite change. The university is also recognized for its commitment to social mobility and has been named a Best College by U.S. News & World Report.