Biomedical Sciences, BS: Diagnostic Medical Sonography

Students in the Biomedical Sciences major are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of all requirements. Students choose from one of the following seven areas or submajors:

• Medical Laboratory Science
• Biomedical Science
• Cytotechnology
• Radiologic Technology
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Diagnostic Imaging (degree completion program)
• Health Science (degree completion program)
• Public Health Microbiology

All students will be required to comply with a background check, drug screen, and maintain health insurance during the professional training experience.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

By using high-frequency sound waves or ultrasound, sonographers produce images of soft tissue and blood flow to assist with the diagnostic process or administration of therapeutic application. Sonography is used to examine the abdomen, breast tissue, female reproductive system, urinary system, heart, and blood vessels. In addition, sound waves are used to guide fine-needle biopsy. Diagnostic Medical Sonography students complete the first two years of prerequisite courses on campus before applying for placement into the professional education portion of the curriculum. Once accepted into the professional education component of the program, students will take didactic and clinical education courses concurrently. Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science degree, students are eligible to write the national board exams offered through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.ardms.org). The Diagnostic Medical Sonography professional education program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2354                                                 

Requirements

Preparatory Coursework

Based on individual placement results, some students may be required to complete preparatory coursework before enrolling in the courses listed here. This may include English language or composition preparation, developmental math, introductory chemistry, and/or student support courses for students participating in the First Year Bridge program. 

General Education Requirements (GER)

UW-Milwaukee has General Education Requirements that must be met in order to earn a bachelor’s or associate degree. They include at minimum 30 credits (10 courses) in six categories that are designed to assure basic student competencies and provide a broad body of knowledge as a context for specialization.

Some degree requirements may fulfill GERs. Please review the requirements and consult with your academic advisor.   

Diagnostic Medical Sonography Requirements

Students pursuing the Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Medical Sonography submajor complete their first year and sophomore years on campus. Students accepted into the professional education curriculum complete the junior and senior years at one of three external clinical affiliate sites: Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee), Advocate Aurora St. Luke's (Milwaukee), or UW Hospital and Clinics (Madison, WI). Two educational options are available: General Sonography or Echocardiography. Students are responsible for any relocation and all living expenses during clinical training. 

The minimum degree requirement is 120 credits, including the following. Entry into the professional major is competitive, with the minimum requirements listed below. Completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

1. Completion of UWM’s General Education Requirements (GER).
2. A cumulative UWM minimum grade point average of 3.0.
3. Completion of all pre-professional course requirements with a cumulative GPA of 3.0; a maximum of 4 courses may be repeated once.
4. Successful completion of the professional education application process, including an on-site interview with the external sonography programs.
5. Successful completion of a background check, health physical, and drug screen prior to the beginning of the professional curriculum, and maintenance of health insurance and CPR certification for the duration of the professional curriculum.
6. Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in the following:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Credits
   BIO SCI 150	Foundations of Biological Sciences I	4
   BIO SCI 202	Anatomy and Physiology I	4
   BIO SCI 203	Anatomy and Physiology II	4
   BMS 301	Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals	1
   BMS 302	Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I	1
   BMS 303	Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II	1
   BMS 304	Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III	1
   BMS 305	Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV	1
   CHEM 100	Chemical Science	4
   DMI 300	Diagnostic Medical Imaging Fundamentals	2

7. Complete a minimum of eight hours shadowing a sonographer: four hours of cardiac sonography and four hours in general sonography with a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography professional prior to applying for placement into the professional education component.
8. Completion of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) course is required for the clinical application and placement. Visit the WI Department of Health Services to view a list of WI nurse aide training programs.
9. Minimum of 100 hours of patient care experience.

Admission into the professional training curriculum is highly competitive, and final admission decisions rest with the program directors. Admission is not guaranteed. To remain eligible to continue in the professional training curriculum, students must adhere to all policies and procedures of the program they are attending. Once accepted into the professional education curriculum students will be provided with a copy of the program's policies and procedures.

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Required science courses - grade of C or better is required.

Pre-Professional Plan of Study 

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Requires grade of C or better.

Biomedical Sciences BS: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the BS program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be able to perform the following:  

• Obtains, reviews, and integrates pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results. 
• Performs appropriate procedures and records anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
• Records, analyzes, and processes diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
• Exercises discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or related diagnostic services.
• Demonstrates appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues. 
• Acts in a professional and ethical manner. 
• Facilitates communication and education to elicit patient cooperation and understanding of expectations and responds to questions regarding the sonographic examination. 

Honors in the Major

Honors in the major are granted to students who earn a GPA of 3.500 or above on a minimum of 30 completed credits at UWM.

College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.