Department: Health and Public Service
Discipline: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Subject Code: DMS
Course #: 170
Course Title: Acoustical Principles I
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at
a minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1.
Digital Description [§335.2] (Insert new/revised digital description below):
Credit hours:
Lecture hours:
Lab hours:
4.0
4.0
0.0
BL: [ ]⅓ [ ]½ [ ]⅔ [ ] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)
2.
Maximum Enrollment (Insert new/revised maximum enrollments below):
Face-to-Face:
Virtual/Online:
Blended:
3.
4.
Catalog Description [§335.2] (Insert new/revised description in space below):
Studies acoustical physical principles, Doppler ultrasound principles, and
sonographic instrumentation. This course also covers application and uses in the
field of diagnostic medical sonography. Enrollment is restricted to students in the
DMS program.
Minimum Grade Required
Prerequisites [§335.2]: DMS 105, 110
C
Corequisites:
Other:
5.
Learning Outcomes [§335.2]
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential
knowledge and skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of acoustic physics, Doppler
principles, and ultrasound instrumentation
 Describe the prudent use of ultrasound imaging related to quality patient
care
 Apply basic concepts of acoustic physics
 Describe the elementary principles related to the nature of ultrasound
including pulsed wave ultrasound
 Describe the interaction between sound and tissue
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13
1
Department: Health and Public Service
Discipline: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Subject Code: DMS
Course #: 170
Course Title: Acoustical Principles I







6.
Describe the construction of the transducer and the function of each part
Differentiate the components of the ultrasound instrument and analyze
their function
Describe the principles of Doppler ultrasound and hemodynamics
Adjust instrument controls to optimize image quality
Recognize and compensate for acoustical artifacts
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the interaction between
ultrasound and tissue and the probability of biological effects in clinical
examination
Discuss standards and guidelines of the AIUM
Planned Sequence of Instruction [§335.2]
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
Topics:
Basic Physical Units
Introduction to Sonography
Use of Ultrasound
Basics of Sound including pulsed ultrasound
Propagation and interaction of ultrasound through tissue
Transducer Construction and Characteristics including resolution
Pulsed Echo Instrumentation components and their function
Hemodynamics
Doppler
Optimization
Artifacts
Recording Techniques
Emerging Technologies
Quality Assurance
Bioeffects and Safety
7.
Assessment of Student Learning [§335.44]
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed
above.]
Tests, homework assignments, transducer project, Doppler activity
worksheets
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is
part of regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan
has been determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is maintained in the
College’s assessment management system.
8.
List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning
Materials (code each item based on instructional use) [§335.2]: CLecture/Laboratory, A-Lecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13
2
Department: Health and Public Service
Discipline: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Subject Code: DMS
Course #: 170
Course Title: Acoustical Principles I
Clinical, I-Online, BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, EInternship, F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources
must be easily accessible to students.]
A, I-Edelman, S. K. Understanding ultrasound physics. Woodlands, Texas:
ESP, Inc. current edition.
A, I-Kremkau, F.W. Diagnostic ultrasound: Principles and instrumentation.
Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company. current edition.
9.
Prepared by Discipline Faculty Proponent: Julia R. Imboden
Date: 10/1/13
10.
Approved by Department Chairperson: Curtis Aumiller
Date: 10/29/13
11.
Approved by Associate Provost: Tim Dolin
Date: 11/4/13
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335,
subchapters A / B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the
policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is
consistent with the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar
courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and
universities.
12.
Director, Curriculum Compliance & Assessment: Erika Steenland
Date: 11/5/13
13.
Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Suzanne E. O’Hop, Ph.D.
14.
Original Date of course approval by the college: 201020
15.
Date(s) of subsequent reviews [Indicate change: Learning Outcomes; textbook(s)]:
Date: 11/6/13
9/9/09: Digital Description, Prerequisite/Co-requisite, Learning Outcomes, Textbook
11/15/12: Prerequisite/Co-requisite
10/1/13: Prerequisite/Co-requisite, catalog description, Learning Outcomes
12/1/04
Form Template Reviewed & Updated: 10/26/07; 1/11/08; 1/16/09; 7/14/09; 7/31/12; 7/30/13; 8/26/13
3