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This Associate in Applied Science degree prepares you to secure their American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography credential and entry-level work in the adult echo specialty area. You also receive instruction in basic vascular sonography as well as EKG related diagnostic testing. A clinical hospital experience in echocardiography is provided.
This is a limited-enrollment program. Please review this program's admission criteria and process.
This 67.5 credit-hour program prepares the graduate to be a diagnostic cardiac sonographer. A diagnostic cardiac sonographer is a highly skilled professional who uses specialized ultrasound equipment to record visual images of the heart. They work in hospitals and outpatient settings producing these echocardiograms to assist the physician in diagnosing heart disease. This degree prepares the graduate to secure their American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography credential and entry-level work in the adult echo specialty area. The graduate also receives instruction in basic vascular sonography as well as EKG-related diagnostic testing. A clinical hospital experience in echocardiography is provided.
Because of the nature of clinical experiences and individualized instruction required in this program and specialized technology and the equipment necessary to offer this program, a higher tuition rate is assessed for career-specific courses including courses with the DCS prefix. Students will pay 1.5 the regular rate of tuition.
Admission Requirements:
Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography is a limited enrollment program. For admission requirements, please contact the Admissions Outreach Office at 847.925.6700 or visit harpercollege.edu. Students who apply for this limited enrollment program are obligated to meet current admission requirements and follow program curriculum as defined at the time of acceptance to the program.
F = Fall only course S = Spring only course U = Summer only course
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIO 260 | Human Anatomy 1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Introduces the anatomy of the human body; the following systems studied either regionally or systemically: integumentary, skeletal, articular, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, respiratory, digestive, excretory, endocrine and reproductive. Includes some introductory histology. Specially designed for students in health careers, biology, and physical education. Strongly recommended preparation: One year of high school biology with a grade of C or better taken within the last five years, or BIO 110. (NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 160. IAI BIO 920C Prerequisite: Placement into ENG 101. english-placement-grid.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| BIO 261 | Human Physiology 1 | 4 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes physiological principles at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and system level, as they pertain to the human organism. The following systems are studied in detail: skeletal, muscular, circulatory, nervous, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive and endocrine. In this course, special applications will be made to meet the needs of students in health careers, biology and physical education.(NOTE: Lab science credit.) Formerly BIO 161. IAI BIO 920C Prerequisite: BIO 260 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| ENG 101 | Composition I | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Emphasizes the writing of expository prose. Introduction to the critical reading of nonfiction prose. IAI C1 900 Prerequisite: ENG 096 with a grade of P or other placement options: english-placement-grid.php ESL students need one of the following options: ESL 073 and ESL 074 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 086 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 and ESL 099 with grades of B or better; ESL 073 with required writing placement test score; or ESL 074 with required reading placement test score. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Mathematics2 | 3 | AAS General Education | |
| PHY 100 | Basic Concepts in Physics 3 | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Examines basic topics in physics including motion, force, energy, electricity and magnetism, waves and particles, and atomic structure. Course is for non-science majors fulfilling non-laboratory science requirements. IAI P1 900 Prerequisite: Placement into college-level mathematics without support. mathplacement.php Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 101 | Electrocardiography I | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides instruction and practice in the performance and comprehensive interpretation of rhythm ECGs. Covers related electrophysiology. Includes instruction in holter monitoring. Prerequisite: BIO 135 or (BIO 260 and BIO 261) with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 105 | Ultrasound Physics /Instrumentation I | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Instructs sonography students in the principles of ultrasound physics and instrumentation. Examines continuous and pulsed sound, sound wave intensities, interaction of sound and media, sound propagation, transducer basics, anatomy of a sound wave, and basic display modalities. Investigates axial, lateral, and temporal resolution. Prerequisite: Admission into the DCS program. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 107 | Sonography Theory I | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Discusses the role of a sonographer and the sonography profession. Examines the different sonography specialty areas and related sonographic exams. Explores the ultrasound cross-sectional anatomy of the abdomen, pelvis, chest and neck. Maps the circulation of the cerebral vascular system. Introduces the normal and abnormal cerebrovascular ultrasound. Investigates cerebrovascular disease and trains the student to interpret cerebrovascular ultrasound exams. Corequisite: DCS 109. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 109 | Sonography Lab I 4 | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides supervised laboratory instruction and practice in the basics of ultrasound imaging. Introduces professional expectations of the student sonographer. Covers proper procedure and body mechanics for an ultrasound exam. Orients the student to imaging body habitus. Instructs on the operation of ultrasound equipment.Trains the student to perform diagnostic carotid sonograms. Pass/fail grade. Corequisite: DCS 107. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HSC 112 | Medical Terminology | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Emphasizes the origin and the basic structure of medical words, including prefixes, suffixes, word roots, combining forms and plurals. Offers pronunciation, spelling, and definition of medical terms based on the body systems approach. Emphasis on rendering a professional vocabulary required for work in the health care field. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HSC 165 | Basic Pharmacology | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines the mechanism of action of the major medication groups as they relate to the physiology and pathology of disease. Identifies examples in each major pharmacological category in order to understand pharmacological activity within each group. Addresses areas of drug action, clinical application, and adverse events for each medication discussed. Considers needs of patients undergoing drug therapy and the role of the allied health provider. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in BIO 135, BIO 260 or HSC 112 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 102 | Electrocardiography II | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides instruction and practice in the performance and comprehensive interpretation of 12 lead ECGs. Covers related electrophysiology. Includes instruction in maximal stress testing. Prerequisite: DCS 101 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 106 | Ultrasound Physics /Instrumentation II | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Continues to instruct sonography students in the principles of ultrasound physics. Examines probe types, system instrumentation, displays, storage, signal processing, harmonics, and enhancement agents. Covers hemodynamics, Doppler principles, image artifact, bioeffects, and quality assurance. Prerequisite: DCS 105 with a grade of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 108 | Sonography Theory II | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Builds on the theoretical foundations covered in DCS 107 (Sonography Theory I). Explores the ultrasound cross sectional vascular anatomy of the extremities. Maps the circulation from the trunk to the periphery. Introduces the normal and abnormal peripheral arterial and venous sonogram. Investigates peripheral vascular disease. Trains the student to interpret peripheral arterial and venous sonographic studies. Prerequisite: DCS107 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS110. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 110 | Sonography Lab II 4 | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides supervised laboratory instruction and practice in peripheral vascular ultrasound imaging. Trains the student to perform diagnostic peripheral arterial and venous sonographic examinations. Introduces cardiac imaging. Expands upon the professional expectations of the student sonographer. Pass/fail grade. Prerequisite: DCS109 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 108. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HSC 104 | Health Care Technology and Informatics | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces student to informatics and the use of technology in health care delivery systems. This includes a review of hardware and software, and an in-depth look at hospital/health care-based user interfaces, data bases, telecommunications and networks, and healthcare-based information systems. Also includes research methods and patient education via computers. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| HSC 213 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Health Care | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces the legal and ethical issues that pertain to various health care delivery settings. Discusses how these issues impact the health care practitioner in a diverse culture. Practices and standards are discussed as they relate to professional behavior and ethical decision-making. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 112 | Sonography Lab III 5 U | 1 | Optional Course |
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Description: This course is only offered in the summer term. Provides additional laboratory practice in common vascular ultrasound exams and basic echo views. This course is not required for graduation. Pass/fail grade. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 207 | Cardiac Sonography Theory I | 6 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Examines cardiac anatomy, mechanics, and pressures. Presents the ultrasound cross sectional anatomy of the heart. Introduces the normal and abnormal echocardiogram. Investigates valvular heart disease and ventricular systolic dysfunction. Trains the student to interpret these pathologies on an echocardiogram. Prerequisite: DCS 106 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 209. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 209 | Cardiac Sonography Lab I 4 | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides supervised laboratory instruction and practice in cardiac ultrasound imaging. Trains the student to perform a basic adult echocardiogram. Reinforces the professional expectations of the student sonographer. Pass/fail grade. Prerequisite: DCS 106 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 207. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| Humanities or Social and Behavioral Science+ | 3 | AAS General Education | |
A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 208 | Cardiac Sonography Theory II | 6 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Investigates a host of conditions that impact the heart and echocardiogram including coronary, pulmonary, pericardial, myocardial, systemic, endocardial, congenital, and aortic disease as well as cardiac masses and trauma. Examines interventions such as valve repair, transplant, assist devices, and echo-guided procedures. Trains the student to evaluate these conditions on an echocardiogram. Introduces advanced echo modalities such as transesophogeal, 3D, stress, and enhancement agents. Prerequisite: DCS 207 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 210. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 210 | Cardiac Sonography Lab II 4 | 2 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Continues supervised laboratory instruction and practice in cardiac ultrasound imaging. Trains the student to perform advanced targeted adult echocardiograms. Reinforces the professional expectations of the student sonographer. Pass/fail grade. Prerequisite: DCS 209 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 208. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 220 | Introduction to the Cardiac Sonography Clinical | 2.5 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Prepares the student for their role as a cardiac sonographer in the hospital setting. Covers relevant policies, procedures, and considerations for working in the hospital, caring for patients, and completing sonograms in the clinical environment. Grooms the student for entrance into the sonography profession. Includes simulated clinical experiences. Prerequisite: DCS 207 and DCS 209 with grades of C or better. Corequisite: DCS 208 and DCS 210. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| SPE 101 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 | AAS General Education |
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Description: Theory and practice of oral communications. Development of poise, confidence and skill in speech organization and delivery. Emphasis on frequent speaking, development of standards of criticism and selection and organization of material. IAI C2 900 Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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A grade of C or better in all coursework is required for all students.
| Number | Course Title | Credits | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| DCS 230 | Cardiac Sonography Clinical 6 | 5 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Provides the student with practical clinical experience performing adult echocardiograms in a hospital or other clinical setting. Orients the student to that hospital environment and the specific policies and procedures for completing sonograms in that medical setting. Allows the student to perform these echocardiograms on patients under the close supervision of clinical staff. Provides an opportunity for students to develop and demonstrate the knowledge base, clinical skills, and professional skills required of an entry level sonographer. Prerequisite: DCS 208, DCS 210 and DCS 220 with grades of C or better. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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| DCS 260 | Advanced Sonography Seminar 5 | 1 | Program Requirement |
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Description: Introduces new or advanced topics in sonography. Explores the evolution and provides necessary background in terms of related anatomy, hemodynamics, physics and pathology. Presents related ultrasound case studies and trains in the interpretation of the ultrasound examination. Covers implications to the performance of the sonographic procedure including protocols, modalities and specific assessment techniques. Enhances the skill of the sonographer past entry level. May be repeated up to six credit hours. Class Schedule: Fall 2024 | Spring 2025 |
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1 - Must be completed no earlier than five years prior to beginning the DCS program; time requirement may be waived for direct patient care providers with a minimum of a two-year allied health care degree.
2 - MTH 165 is recommended. MTH 101, MTH 103, or higher with a grade of C or better may be substituted.
3 - PHY 110 or PHY 121 or higher with a grade of C or better may be substituted.
4 - Every credit hour of sonography lab requires a minimum of 2 hours per week sonography lab practice.
5 - This course is optional and not required for graduation.
+ - Students need to choose a course to meet this requirement that also fulfills the World Cultures and Diversity graduation requirement. See full list of AAS General Education Electives.
6 - Assignments will be based on site availability.
To prepare competent entry-level sonographers in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains for the adult cardiac sonography concentration.
Graduates of this program will:
For more information about the DCS program at Harper College, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.