Imaging Sciences (BS)

About the Profession

Radiologic imaging science, also known as radiologic technology or medical radiography, is the allied health profession responsible for diagnostic and interventional medical radiographic imaging. Imaging sciences professionals, under the supervision of physicians, provide medical imaging services to patients.

The Program

The Rush University Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences program offers an opportunity for registered radiologic technologists to advance their education by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree and skills that are significant to their current profession. This program offers the radiologic technologist an opportunity for advancement in employment and prepares advanced medical imaging technologists for professional leadership roles. This academic degree program will provide graduates with the knowledge, skills and professional competencies needed to perform advanced-level imaging in Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cardiac-Interventional (CI), Vascular-Interventional (VI) and other advanced imaging modalities.

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences is a career ladder program to provide advanced training and education for certified imaging technologists. In addition to the program prerequisites, the Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences degree program requires a minimum of 74 semester credit hours taken at the upper division undergraduate level. The professional phase of the program, which consists of Imaging Sciences course work and clinical fieldwork, is completed at Rush University and its affiliated clinical sites. The program is dedicated to clinical and academic excellence and includes more than 1000 hours of in-hospital clinical practice. As a leadership program in Imaging Sciences, the program is designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to gain the foundation needed to assume professional leadership roles in clinical practice, clinical specialty areas, education and management.

Students accepted into the professional phase normally begin course work in the fall quarter of the first year of the program, though students may begin taking classes at other times during the year with permission of the program director. Coursework in the professional phase may be taken on a full-time (over 24 months) or part-time basis. Each student will develop an individualized program to be approved by the program director. As a part of the program, graduates will complete the clinical training required to be eligible for post-primary pathway to certification in Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cardiac-Interventional (CI) or Vascular-Interventional (VI) offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

*An entry-level Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) track is available for students who are not licensed in radiography or nuclear medicine. Licensure or eligibility for accreditation in the practice of medical radiation technology by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is not required for successful completion of the MRI track, as MRI is a non-ionizing imaging modality. The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) entry-level track is recognized as a MRI primary-pathway educational program by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Good Academic Standing

High academic performance is expected in required courses. If a student earns grades lower than “C” or their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.5, the student may not be permitted to register for subsequent courses and may be subject to dismissal from the program. Students who withdraw or who have been dismissed from the program must reapply and will be considered as a new applicant. Students requesting readmission must submit a letter to the college of Admissions.

Academic Probation

During the program, if a student’s performance is unsatisfactory (GPA less than 2.5 or a letter grade of less than “C”), he or she may not be permitted to register for subsequent classes. The student will be subject to dismissal from the program. If the student wishes to reenter the program, he or she must reapply and will be considered on the same basis as any new applicant. Students who voluntarily withdraw from the program, either passing or failing, have no guarantee of reinstatement to the program. Students requesting readmission to the program should submit a letter to that effect to the Committee on Progress and Promotion for Imaging Sciences.

Clinical Work

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA in the program of at least 2.5 unless otherwise described in each course syllabus, the minimum satisfactory grade for course credit is 75% (a letter grade of “C”), and all stipulated segments of a course must be passed by this standard. Students must demonstrate proficiency in all clinical skills presented to pass clinical courses. For all clinical courses, the final exam must be passed at the designated cut score and a grade of “C” or better must be maintained to successfully complete each clinical practice to continue in the program.

Imaging Sciences Program’s Technical Standards

Rush University is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population.
Our core values - ICARE - Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Respect and Excellence translate into our work with all students, including those with disabilities.

Rush actively collaborates with students to develop innovative ways to ensure accessibility and creates a respectful accountable culture through our confidential and specialized disability support. Rush is committed to excellence in accessibility; we encourage students with disabilities to disclose and seek accommodations.

The following technical functions are required of all students enrolled in the Imaging Sciences Program:

Grievance Policy - Student Appeals

Normal communication regarding course or program policy should be first directed to the instructor assigned to the course or clinical section involved. If the student is unable to satisfy his or her inquiry or request at that level, the matter should be referred to either the clinical director (in the case of clinical practice) or the department chair (in the case of academic coursework or policy). If the matter in question cannot be resolved at that level, it should be directed to the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences. This committee will either resolve the matter in question to the student’s satisfaction or instruct the student on available mechanisms for appeal as described in the University Catalog and University Student Handbook.

Comprehensive Examination

At the end of the program, the student will complete an end-of-program competency assessment examination, as well as meet graduation and program completion requirements (see Graduation Requirements). Students who do not successfully complete the examination will receive an Incomplete for the third clinical rotation and will retake the examination prior to the beginning of the next quarter. Those failing the examination twice will be enrolled in a directed Independent Study during the next term for remediation. Those failing the examination on the third attempt will be subject to dismissal from the program. Those students may reapply to the program (see Procedures for Readmission).

College of Health Sciences/Rush University Academic Policies

Academic policies specific to the College of Health Sciences are located earlier in this catalog. In addition, the Academic Resources and Policies section of this catalog contains Rush University academic policies.

Rush University Policies and Procedures for Students with Disabilities

Rush University is committed to attracting and educating students who will help to make the health care profession representative of the national population, including individuals with disabilities. Part of Rush University’s mission is to promote diversity among its student population and to provide equal access to its facilities, programs, services and learning opportunities.  In keeping with this mission, the University encourages students with disabilities to engage the Office of Student Disability Services as soon as they begin their program.
 
Students should feel free to contact Marie Ferro-Lusk, Manager of Student Disability Services for Rush University, to engage in a confidential conversation about the process for requesting reasonable accommodations in the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively at the University. Additional information can be found online at the Office of Student Disability website or by contacting the Office of Student Disability Services.

To respect student’s privacy and ensure a thoughtful interactive discussion, students should not make accommodation requests to individual faculty members, lecturers, or course directors, instead, please contact:

Marie Ferro-Lusk, MBA, MSW, LSW
Manager, Office of Student Disability Services
Phone: (312) 942-5237
Email: Marie_S_Ferro-Lusk@rush.edu

Information on requesting accommodations for disabilities is available in the student catalog and below. For information or to request an accommodation, please contact your college representative listed below.

Rush University Student Disability Assessment Team (RUSDAT)

College of Health Sciences - Joanne Schupbach, MS, MA
(312) 942-3676
Joanne_E_Schupbach@rush.edu

Further information can be found at:
https://www.rushu.rush.edu/office-student-disability-services

IS Program Curriculum for Computed Tomography (CT) Track

Fall 1

IS 310 Sectional Anatomy & Pathology 5 SH
IS 314 Pathophysiology 4 SH
IS 337 Computed Tomography (CT) Physics 3 SH
IS 453 Computed Tomography Positioning and Protocols 3 SH
Total= 15 SH

Spring 1

IS 318 Patient Assessment 3 SH
IS 331 Education 3 SH
IS 325 Pharmacology and Radiologic Contrast Agents 3 SH
IS 338 Advanced Radiation Biology 3 SH
Total 12 SH

Summer 1

IS 447 P Clinical Practicum I 6 SH
IS 448 Clinical Seminar I 3 SH
IS 458 Leadership 3 SH
Total 12 SH

Fall 2

HSC 364 Health Care Systems and Policies 1 SH
IS 457 P Clinical Practicum II 6 SH
IS 449 Clinical Seminar II 3 SH
IS 463 Research & Statistical Methods 3 SH
Total= 13 SH

Spring 2

IS 467 P Clinical Practicum III 6 SH
IS 468 Clinical Seminar III 3 SH
IS 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence 4 SH
Total= 13 SH

Program Total = 65 SH

NOTE: All professional, leadership and clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better for the student to continue in the degree program course sequence with a major in Imaging Sciences. Failure to complete an Imaging Sciences professional course with a letter grade of “C” or better will subject the student to review by the Committee on Progress and Promotions and may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Students readmitted to the program at times other than the fall quarter of the second year will pick up the course sequence as prescribed by the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences.

IS Program Curriculum for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Track (ARRT Students)

Fall 1 Credit by ARRT Proficiency

IS 305 Introduction to Imaging Sciences 3 SH (Credit by ARRT Proficiency)
IS 307 Introduction to Patient Care 3 SH (Credit by ARRT Proficiency)
Total 6 SH

Fall 1

IS 310 Sectional Anatomy & Pathology 5 SH
IS 463 Research & Statistical Methods 3 SH
IS 314 Pathophysiology 4 SH
Total 12 SH

Spring 1

IS 336 MRI Physics 5 SH
IS 318 Patient Assessment 3 SH
IS 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence 4 SH
IS 444 MRI Positioning and Protocols 4 SH
Total 16 SH

Summer 1

IS 447 P Clinical Practicum I 6 SH
IS 448 Clinical Seminar I 3 SH
IS 325 Pharmacology and Radiologic Contrast Agents 3 SH
IS 340 MRI Safety 3 SH
Total 15 SH

Fall 2

HSC 364 Health Care Systems and Policies 1 SH
IS 457 P Clinical Practicum II 6 SH
IS 449 Clinical Seminar II 3 SH
Total 10 SH

Spring 2

IS 467 P Clinical Practicum III 3 SH
IS 468 Clinical Seminar III 3 SH
IS 331 Education 3 SH
IS 458 Leadership 3 SH
Total 15 SH

Program Total = 74 SH - 6 SH (credit by ARRT proficiency) = 68 SH

NOTE: All professional, leadership and clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better for the student to continue in the degree program course sequence with a major in Imaging Sciences. Failure to complete an Imaging Sciences professional course with a letter grade of “C” or better will subject the student to review by the Committee on Progress and Promotions and may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Students readmitted to the program at times other than the fall quarter of the second year will pick up the course sequence as prescribed by the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences.

IS Program Curriculum for Vascular Interventional Radiography (VIR) Track

Fall 1

IS 310 Sectional Anatomy & Pathology 5 SH
IS 314 Pathophysiology 4 SH
IS 328 Vascular Interventional Technology 6 SH
Total= 15 SH

Spring 1

IS 318 Patient Assessment 3 SH
IS 331 Education 3 SH
IS 325 Pharmacology and Radiologic Contrast Agents 3 SH
IS 338 Advanced Radiation Biology 3 SH
Total = 12 SH

Summer 1

IS 447 P Clinical Practicum I 6 SH
IS 448 Clinical Seminar I 3 SH
IS 458 Leadership 3 SH
Total = 12 SH

Fall 2

HSC 364 Health Care Systems and Policies 1 SH
IS 457 P Clinical Practicum II 6 SH
IS 449 Clinical Seminar II 3 SH
IS 463 Research & Statistical Methods 3 SH
Total = 13 SH

Spring 2

IS 467 P Clinical Practicum III 6 SH
IS 468 Clinical Seminar III 3 SH
IS 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence 4 SH
Total = 13 SH

Program Total = 65 SH

NOTE: All professional, leadership and clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better for the student to continue in the degree program course sequence with a major in Imaging Sciences.
Failure to complete an Imaging Sciences professional course with a letter grade of “C” or better will subject the student to review by the Committee on Progress and Promotions and may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Students readmitted to the program at times other than the fall quarter of the second year will pick up the course sequence as prescribed by the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences.

Entry Level Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Imaging Sciences, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) track, was designed originally to accommodate applicants licensed in Radiography or Nuclear Medicine. Since that time, there has been increased interest from unlicensed highly qualified applicants. This entry level track in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) adds three additional patient care courses to the existing MRI curriculum. These courses will serve as bridge courses to provide those students who are unlicensed in Radiography or Nuclear Medicine the academic content needed to be successful in the program.

Fall 1

IS 305 Introduction to Imaging Sciences 3 SH
IS 307 Introduction to Patient Care 3 SH
IS 310 Sectional Anatomy & Pathology 5 SH
IS 314 Pathophysiology 4 SH
Total 15 SH

Spring 1

IS 336 MRI Physics 5 SH
IS 318 Patient Assessment 3 SH
IS 325 Pharmacology and Radiologic Contrast Agents 3 SH
IS 444 MRI Positioning and Protocols 4 SH
Total 15 SH

Summer 1

IS 448 P Clinical Practicum I 6 SH
IS 446 Clinical Seminar I 3 SH
IS 331 Education 3 SH
IS 458 Leadership 3 SH
Total 15 SH

Fall 2

HSC 364 Health Care Systems and Policies 1 SH
IS 457 P Clinical Practicum II 6 SH
IS 449 Clinical Seminar II 3 SH
IS 463 Research & Statistical Methods 3 SH
Total 13 SH

Spring 2

IS 467 P Clinical Practicum III 6 SH
IS 468 Clinical Seminar III 3 SH
IS 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence 4 SH
IS 340 MRI Safety 3 SH
Total 16 SH

Program Total = 74 SH

NOTE: All professional, leadership and clinical courses require a grade of “C” or better for the student to continue in the degree program course sequence with a major in Imaging Sciences. Failure to complete an Imaging Sciences professional course with a letter grade of “C” or better will subject the student to review by the Committee on Progress and Promotions and may result in the student being dismissed from the program. Students readmitted to the program at times other than the fall quarter of the second year will pick up the course sequence as prescribed by the Committee on Progress and Promotions for Imaging Sciences.

IS Program Core Course Descriptions

• IS - 481P Clinical Specialty Practicum Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 454 Health Care Ethics and Cultural Competence Credit Hours: (4)
• IS - 457P Clinical Practicum II Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 458 Leadership Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 463 Research & Statistical Methods Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 467P Clinical Practicum III Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 468 Clinical Seminar III Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 331 Education Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 447P Clinical Practicum I Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 448 Clinical Seminar I Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 449 Computed Tomography (CT) Positioning and Protocols Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 310 Sectional Anatomy and Pathology Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 314 Pathophysiology Credit Hours: (4)
• IS - 318 Patient Assessment Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 325 Pharmacology & Radiologic Contrast Agents Credit Hours: (3)

Computed Tomography (CT) Track

• IS - 337 Computed Tomography (CT) Physics Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 338 Advanced Radiation Biology Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 453 Computed Tomography Positioning and Protocols Credit Hours: 3

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Track

• IS - 336 MRI Physics Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 340 MRI Safety Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 444 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Positioning and Protocols Credit Hours: (4)

Entry Level Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Track

• IS - 336 MRI Physics Credit Hours: (5)
• IS - 340 MRI Safety Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 444 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Positioning and Protocols Credit Hours: (4)
• IS - 305 Introduction to Imaging Sciences Credit Hours: (3)
• IS - 307 Introduction to Patient Care Credit Hours: (3)

Vascular Interventional Radiography (VIR) Track

• IS - 328 Vascular Interventional Technology Credit Hours: (6)
• IS - 338 Advanced Radiation Biology Credit Hours: (3)