Office of Academic Affairs - Hostos Community College

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College – Radiologic Technology Program

Faculty
Information:

Course
Description:

The student will identify the advanced principles of radiographic exposure and image formation, sensitometry, manual technique guides, automatic exposure control systems, and radiographic image evaluation and critique.
Pre-requisite:     XRA 111 Radiologic Science I

Course
Meetings:

Section 30011:    Lectures:     Wednesday and Friday      11:00-12:15
                                Labs:            Friday                                    12:30-5:00

Required
Textbook:

Additional Required
Course
Materials:

The following copyrighted materials are the sole property of the instructor. 
They are available on blackboard free for students enrolled in this course only.
Radiologic Science 2: Lecture Notes,
Hostos Community College, Radiologic Technology Program
Radiologic Science 2:  Lecture Workbook,
Hostos Community College, Radiologic Technology Program
Radiologic Science 2:  Lab Experiments Workbook,
Hostos Community College, Radiologic Technology Program

Grading
Criteria:

Test 1     10 %       Quiz 1
Test 2     30 %       Midterm Exam
Test 3     10 %       Quiz 2
Test 4     40 %       Final Exam
Lab         10 %

A     =      93 – 100
A-    =      90 – 92
B+   =      87 – 89
B     =      83 – 86
B-    =      80 – 82
C+   =      77 – 79
C     =      70 – 76
----------------------------------------
D     =      60 – 69    =      Fail
F      =      00 – 59    =      Fail

Lecture
Outline:

1. Fundamentals of PACS
2. Radiographic Quality
3. Geometric Unsharpness
4. Geometric Calculations and Motion Unsharpness
5. Image Receptor Unsharpness
6. Recorded Detail Summary
7. Shape and Size Distortion
8. Radiographic Density and Advanced Calculations
9. Beam Restriction and Restricting Devices
10. Radiographic Contrast 1
11. Radiographic Contrast 2
12. Optical Density and Sensitometry Fundamentals
13. Sensitometric Curve Evaluation
14. Radiographic Grid Positioning Errors
15. Preparing Variable kVp Technique Guides
16. Preparing Fixed kVp Technique Guides
17. AEC Systems, mA, kVp, Density and IR Speed
18. Digital Image Data Processing
19. Advanced Digital Image Manipulation
20. Radiographic Imaging Artifacts
21. Characteristics Associated with Radiographic Quality
22. Advanced Test Preparation Skills

Lab
Outline:

1. Critical Thinking
2. Visibility of Detail
3. Geometric Unsharpness
4. Image Receptor Unsharpness
5. Summary of Sharpness of Detail
6. Magnification
7. Shape Distortion
8. Radiographic Contrast
9. Sensitometric Curve Preparation
10. Sensitometric Curve Evaluation
11. Radiographic Grid Positioning Errors
12. Manual Technique Guides
13. Computed Radiography Exposure Limits
14. Analog & Digital Image Artifacts

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to

1. Define and explain how to maximize recorded detail
2. Describe how to control and minimize motion unsharpness, geometric unsharpness and material unsharpness.
3. Analyze various ways of minimizing size and shape distortion through the manipulation of SID and OID.
4. Calculate the actual size of an object when given the projected size, SID and OID.
5. Describe adjustments of central ray, anatomical part and image receptor that will minimize shape distortion.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of radiographic exposure factors as it applies to developing, maintaining and utilizing a manual technique chart.
7. Identify contrast as a prime component of the photographic properties controlling visibility of detail of radiographic image quality.
8. Describe the effect of radiographic fog on image contrast.
9. Construct and analyze an H & D Curve from sensitometric data.
10. Calculate the percentage of light transmitted by a radiograph according to optical density logarithms.
11. Explain the construction of a grid, including grid materials, grid ratio, grid frequency and lead content.
12. Evaluate the relationship between various grid-cutoff patterns and the misuse of grids.
13. Discuss the elements of a diagnostic image as they relate to the art of film critique.
14. Satisfy all chapter objectives and answer all review questions for the assigned textbook and workbook chapters.

Teaching
Methods:

1. Audiovisual presentations, radiographs and handouts
2. Classroom lectures, discussions and demonstrations.
3. Laboratory experiments utilizing phantoms, dry and artificial bones, and sophisticated radiographic test equipment.

Classroom
Policies:

1. Cell phones and beepers must be turned off or placed on “vibrate” mode when in the classroom.
2. Students who arrive after the class has begun should enter the classroom quietly without making any unnecessary noise.
3. Unruly and/or disruptive behavior may be subject to disciplinary action.
4. Students who create a material or substantial interruption of the educational process will be dismissed from the class and referred to the Disciplinary Committee to determine if negative incentives or additional sanctions - including suspension or dismissal from the program - are warranted.

Student
Responsibilities:

Students are expected to:

1. Come to class on time
2. Perform all lesson objectives, activities and reading assignments.
3. Complete and hand in all written assignments on or before their due date.
4. Demonstrate proficiency on all homework and written assignments.
5. Demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the radiographic principles discussed in class as well as all assigned readings.

Use of
Electronic Devices:

Cell phone use is not permitted during class time.  Cell phones must be placed on “vibrate” mode.  Emergency calls must be taken outside the classroom.  During examinations, cell phones must be placed in a central location away from the testing area.

A simple, non-programmable calculator is permitted during examinations; students may not use – or have in their possession – a programmable calculator, or one that has advanced memory functions.

Attendance
Policies:

1. All classes are mandatory
2. If a student is absent from more than 15% of the classes the instructor may lower the grade or fail the student for excess absences.
3. Absences in excess of four require documentation to be excused.

Lateness:

1. Students are required to come to class on time.
2. Three latenesses will be counted as one absence from class.

Academic
Integrity:

Students are responsible for upholding the academic integrity of the program by not participating either directly or indirectly in acts of cheating and by discouraging others from doing so. 
Students' responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.
No student shall:

1. Give or receive any assistance or communicate in any way with another student while an examination is in progress.
2. Use unauthorized notes, books or other materials during an examination.
3. Attempt to obtain or disseminate the content of any examination prior to its distribution by the proctor.
4. Procure or distribute answers to examinations in advance.

Written Assignment
Policies:

1. Written assignments must be the product of the student’s own research.
2. No student shall submit work that has been written by someone else or copied from an outside source.
3. No student shall submit work that has been previously submitted in either whole or part for academic credit.  This is termed “self-plagiarism.”
4. Late assignments may not be accepted; if accepted, points will be deducted.
5. Students who engage in academic dishonesty will receive a grade of zero for the assignment.
6. All violations of the academic integrity policy shall be referred to the Disciplinary Committee to determine if negative incentives or additional sanctions - including suspension or dismissal from the program - are warranted.

Examination
Policies:

1. No student may remove an exam from the classroom under any circumstances
2. Exams are timed; they must be completed within the stated time frame
3. Students who arrive late for an exam will not receive extra time to complete the exam.
4. No credit will be given for questions left unanswered regardless of the reason.
5. Students are responsible for correctly completing all test answer sheets
6. When using a scantron answer sheet, a number “2” pencil must be used to fill in the bubbles.
7. No credit will be given for incompletely erased answers or blanks on a scantron.
8. Make-up exams are not given for quizzes.
9. Make-up exams will only be considered for major exams in extraordinary circumstances that justify special consideration.  Verifiable documentation is required.
10. All requests for make-up exams will be determined by the instructor, based upon the merits of the request, on a case-by-case basis.  Submitting a request for a make-up exam does not guarantee that permission will be granted.
11. If the instructor grants permission for a make-up exam, it will be scheduled during the week of final exams.
12. No student will be granted permission for more than one make-up exam for a course; a grade of zero will be given for any additional missed exams.

Laboratory Policies:

1. Cell phones and beepers must be turned off or placed on “vibrate” mode when in the lab.
2. Students who arrive after the lab has begun should enter the laboratory quietly without making any unnecessary noise.
3. Students who arrive more than 10 minutes late (after the lab instructions have been explained to the class) will NOT be permitted to join the lab groups in progress as they cause a significant risk to property, themselves and others.
4. Students must complete all lab homework exercises, activities and reading assignments.
5. Students must demonstrate proficiency in handling radiographic equipment.
   This includes, but is not limited to, the x-ray table, bucky, ceiling tube mount, control console, automatic film processor and darkroom.
6. Students’ lab assessment will include, but not be limited to, their lab preparation, technique calculations, ability to follow instructions, group participation, verbal communication, lab execution, film critique and maintenance of their work area and supplies.
7. Evaluation of homework assignments will include the students’ ability to demonstrate their knowledge of the radiologic science principles utilized to perform the lab experiment, analysis of their results, their writing skills and the prompt submission of their work.
8. Unruly and/or disruptive behavior may be subject to disciplinary action.
9. Students who create a material or substantial interruption of the educational process will be dismissed from the lab immediately and referred to the Disciplinary Committee to determine if negative incentives or additional sanctions - including suspension or dismissal from the program - are warranted.

As required by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, reasonable accommodations are provided to ensure equal opportunity for students with verified disabilities. 
It is important that all prospective and current students be aware of the essential functions necessary to complete the radiologic technology program requirements.  These are the same as the technical and physical job requirements for all radiologic technologists working in the field today.1
Students must be able to:

1. Assess and accurately execute requisitions, orders, charts, directions, and other job related documents and communications.
2. Independently travel through the radiology department and to other departments and floors of the hospital.
3. Assist patients to transfer from beds, wheelchairs, and stretchers to the radiographic table and back.
4. Give clear verbal commands to a patient and communicate effectively with patients and professional staff; including with individuals wearing masks.
5. Independently access, adjust, and operate radiographic equipment.
6. Independently assess the ongoing functioning of the radiographic machine and other equipment.
7. Independently assess radiographic images, controls, labels, and observe patients.
8. Work in a sterile environment, prepare sterile fields, and fill sterile syringes.

If you have a disability that requires accommodations, contact:
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD)
Patricia Salazar, Services Manager
Savoy (D) Building   
120 Walton Ave, Room D101P
Bronx, NY  10451
Phone:           (718) 518-4467 (Voice)
                        (718) 518-4454 (Voice/TTY)
E-mail:           PSalazar@hostos.cuny.edu

If you are already registered with SSWD and have a letter from them verifying that you are a qualified student with a disability, please present the letter to the instructor as soon as possible.  The instructor will work with you and SSWD to plan and implement appropriate accommodations.