OGEECHEE TECHNICAL COLLEGE
DMS 135- Abdominal Sonography and Pathology
Course Syllabus
Tina Welch, RDMS, RVT, RCS, RT, (R)
Office Location: 313 Joe Kennedy Building
912-688-6019 or 800.646.1316 ext 6019
twelch@ogeecheetech.edu
Office Hours: By Appointment
Day– Thursday
Time – hybrid
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Introduces abdominal anatomy, sonographic appearance and procedures, and
pathology, for diagnostic medical sonography. Topics include: anatomy, pathology
and diagnostic procedures of the liver, gallbladder and biliary tree, pancreas, urinary
tract, adrenal glands, spleen, abdominal vasculature, peritoneal cavity, retroperitoneum, GI tract, and non-cardiac chest; scanning protocol based on sonographic
findings and differential diagnosis; history and physical examination; related
imaging, laboratory, and functional testing procedures; clinical differential diagnosis;
role of ultrasound in patient management; and sonographic appearance of disease
processes, pathology, pathophysiology and abnormal sonographic patterns of
iatrogenic, degenerative, inflammatory, traumatic, neoplastic, infectious, obstructive,
congenital, metabolic, and immunologic diseases.
COMPETENCY AREAS
1. Anatomy, sonographic appearance and procedures, and pathology of the liver, biliary
tree, pancreas, urinary tract, adrenal glands, spleen, prevertebral vessels, peritoneal
cavity, retro-peritoneum, and GI tract, non-cardiac chest.
2. Modify the scanning protocol based on sonographic findings and differential diagnosis
3. Instrumentation
4. History and physical examination
5. Related imaging, laboratory, and functional testing procedures
6. Clinical differential diagnosis
7. Role of ultrasound in patient management
8. Sonographic appearance of disease processes, pathology, pathophysiology and
abnormal sonographic patterns of iatrogenic, degenerative, inflammatory, traumatic,
neoplastic, infectious, obstructive, congenital, metabolic, and immunologic diseases.
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITES:
DMS 131, DMS 132, DMS 133
CONTACT HOURS:
4 class hours per week
3 lab hours per week
CREDIT HOURS:
5
REQUIRED TEXT:
Textbook of Diagnostic Ultrasonography, 6th Edition, Sandra L. Hagen-Ansert,
ISBN # 0-323-02803-9
MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES:
Required: 10 Scantrons
CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:
 This course requires class participation of at least 5 hours per week and outside
reading. Keeping current on homework assignments and problem solving is
essential in this type of class. Assigned reading should be done prior to class so
as to make proper use of class-time and assigned activities to be completed as
directed by the instructor.
 An overall grade of a “C” or better in this course is required to proceed in
the program
 Complete assignments on time. Incomplete assignments will NOT be accepted.
 Late assignments will NOT be accepted. Due dates are on your calendar and will
be adhered to!
 To protect the integrity of the course, online quizzes / tests may be password
protected and can be accessed as designated by the instructor.
 Every student is expected to be present on test day. If a student is absent for a
scheduled test, you must wait until after your final exam is complete before the
make-up test will be given. Only one make-up test will be allowed following
the final. If you miss two or more tests during the quarter, the grade for the tests
missed will be zero (“0”)! No exceptions!! No make-up quizzes will be given.
 Lab tests will be a demonstration in which the student will be required to perform
select tasks as defined by the objectives while the instructor observes and
evaluates the performance. A student who fails to master procedures lab tests will
be subject to disciplinary action. A lab test grade of 85 % or better is required
to proceed to the next clinical rotation.
o You will have 3 attempts to pass the lab exam with a grade of 85. If
unsuccessful, you can not sit for the final and will receive a WP or WF
depending on the grade you have received in class up to this point.
Refer to the OTC student handbook for policy on readmission to the
sonography program.
 There will be no cell phone usage during class time. All cell phones will be either
turned off or put on vibrate. If you need to make a call or check messages, this
will be done at the assigned break time. If there is an emergency that requires you
to make a phone call, please ask instructor for permission. We realize that there
are extenuating circumstances and we will take those into consideration.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
It is essential that educational programs maintain requirements and standards necessary
for successful employment of its graduates in business and industry. In view of the
intensive nature of the educational programs, it is necessary for every student to be
present and on time every day for all classes. Therefore, there are no excused absences
from any course. Attendance is counted from the first scheduled class meeting of each
quarter. If the student misses more than ten (10) percent in any course during a quarter,
the student is subject to being dismissed from the course involved. Three (3) tardies or
early departures equal one (1) absence for the course involved.
The student WILL be dropped for absence greater than 10%. In this course, one day is
10%; any missed time exceeding this 10% will result in the student being dropped from
the course. THERE IS NO ATTENDANCE APPEAL PROCEDURE!
SAFETY: Please refer to the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program Handbook and
Clinical Manual.
OTC Safety Plan:
Go to the OTC website (www.ogeecheetech.edu), scroll down to Campus Safety, & you
will find the link to the Plan
DISTRIBUTION OF GRADES:
Evaluation of the student’s achievement of the course objectives will be based on
satisfactory completion of all required activities. Grading to be computed as follows:
LECTURE TESTS
LAB TEST
HW/QUIZZES
FINAL EXAM
GRADING SCALE
A
B
C
D
F
35%
35%
10%
20%
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 and below
Code of Conduct
Academic Policies:
“The term "cheating" includes, but is not limited to: (1) use of any unauthorized
assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations; (2) dependence upon the aid of
sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports,
solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or (3) the acquisition, without
permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the Technical
College faculty or staff.
The term "plagiarism" includes, but is not limited, to, the use, by paraphrase or direct
quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear
acknowledgment. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by
another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic
materials.”
For further explanations of the above information, please refer to the Ogeechee Technical
College Student Handbook and Planner.
“Academic misconduct is any act that does or could improperly distort students’ grades
or other student academic records. A student enrolls at Ogeechee Technical College to
gain technical skills to lead to greater employability. Academic misconduct is not only
“cheating” the student of learning the needed skills; it is an offense to the academic
integrity of the learning environment. All forms of academic dishonesty will call for
discipline.”
Ogeechee Technical College Student Handbook and Planner.
Alteration of any grade sheets through changing scores or filling in of blank spaces
after being graded is considered cheating. A student dismissed for cheating or
plagiarism will not be eligible for re-entry.
DISABILITY STATEMENT
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class
based on the impact of the disability are encouraged to contact Penny Hendrix in the
Special Services Office, Room 332C, and Kennedy Bldg., 912-486-7211, to coordinate
reasonable accommodations.
WORK ETHICS
Students will receive a work ethics grade each quarter for each fundamental and specific
course in which they enroll. The work ethics grade of 3, 2, 1, or 0 will not affect the
student’s academic grade point average (GPA). Work ethics grades will appear on the
student’s quarterly Student Grade Reports and Transcripts. Performance factors and
indicators include, but are not limited to, quality of work, ability to follow instructions,
productivity, dependability, honesty, reliability, attendance and punctuality, attitude,
integrity, enthusiasm, interpersonal skills, and initiative. The work ethics grade
descriptions are
Exceeds expectations: 3
Meets expectations: 2
Needs improvement: 1
Unacceptable:
0
WARRANTY STATEMENT
The Department of Technical and Adult Education guarantees employer that graduates of
State Technical Colleges shall possess skills and knowledge as prescribed by State
Curriculum Standards. Should any graduate employee within two years of graduation be
deemed lacking in said skills, that student shall be retrained in any State Technical
College at no charge for instructional costs to either the student or the employer.
DISCLAIMER
The instructor reserves the right to amend or correct this course syllabus as necessary. If
the instructor amends or corrects this syllabus, students will be given a revised syllabus
or corrections.