Sonography, Diagnostic Medical
15 courses · Merced College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
SONO-40 Ultrasound Physics I
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers the basic principles and terminology of diagnostic ultrasound physics and instrumentation to include: a review of mathematical skills, transducers, sound beam dynamics, and image displays. Hands-on instruction will introduce the student to elementary scanning skills as it pertains to the physical nature of ultrasound, and workplace sonographic ergonomics. (09/19)
SONO-40B Introduction to Sonographic Clinical Experience
- Units
- 3.5
- Hours
- 10.5 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
An introductory course for clinical experience application of theoretical principles and concepts provided in current didactic coursework. Provides clinical experience in patient care and imaging department functionality. (12/25)
SONO-40C Sonography Patient Care Skills
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1 hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Corequisite
- SONO-40
- Transfers to
- CSU
The course prepares the sonography student to enter the clinical environment by focusing on foundational concepts necessary for safe, patient-centered care to a diverse patient population. Patient care techniques, clinical assessment, professionalism, integration of legal, ethical, and regulatory concepts and standards. The laboratory portion will include demonstration and assessment of essential patient-care competencies, including sonographic ergonomics. (02/22)
SONO-41 Introduction to Sonography
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1hour lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an overview of diagnostic medical sonography and its role in health care delivery. Students will be oriented to the academic and administrative structure of the program, clinical affiliates, and to the profession as a whole. An introduction to sonographic patient care, the principles of ultrasound instrumentation, and routine sonographic procedures will be emphasized. The laboratory portion of this course will include a hands-on orientation to the equipment, instrumentation, and scanning techniques. (09/19)
SONO-42A Abdominal Sonography
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers abdominal sonographic positioning and scanning protocol related anatomy and physiology to include the retroperitoneum; pathology and clinical symptomology and how they relate to the sonographic appearance of these structures, including introduction to pediatric abdominal applications. Interpretation and critique of normal and abnormal anatomy with correlation of clinical, didactic and image information will be presented. The laboratory component of this course will include demonstration and scanning exercises to provide experience in conducting abdominal sonographic procedures. (09/19)
SONO-42B Clinical Experience I
- Units
- 9
- Hours
- 28 hours lab TBA
- Corequisite
- SONO-42A (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides clinical experience for application of theoretical principles and concepts covered in previous and current didactic coursework. Clinical experience in patient care and handling, scanning techniques, instrumentation, work efficiency and sonographic image evaluation is provided. (09/19)
SONO-43A Ob/Gyn Sonography
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course presents a review of anatomy and physiology of the gravid and nongravid pelvis. Techniques of transabdominal and transvaginal preparation are introduced. Symptomology of the female patient with correlation to the sonographic appearance of pathology are covered. First, second, and third trimester obstetrical assessment are covered in depth. (11/19)
SONO-43B Clinical Experience III
- Units
- 9.5
- Hours
- 32 hours lab TBA
- Corequisite
- SONO-43A (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides clinical experience for application of theoretical principles and concepts covered in previous and current didactic coursework. Clinical experience in patient care and handling, diagnostic sonographic scanning techniques, instrumentation, work efficiency and image evaluation; emphasis on obstetric and gynecological imaging is provided. Clinical experience in all related sonographic applications is provided. (12/25)
SONO-44A Ultrasound Physics II
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
A continuation of basic physics and instrumentation including continuous and pulsed wave Doppler. Basic principles of color flow imaging. Advanced principles in medical ultrasound instrumentation, hemodynamics, bioeffects, artifacts, and sonographic quality control procedures are also covered. (11/19)
SONO-44B Clinical Experience II
- Units
- 4.75
- Hours
- 16 hours lab TBA
- Corequisite
- SONO-44C (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides clinical experience for application of theoretical principles and concepts covered in previous and current didactic course work. Clinical experience in patient care and handling, scanning techniques, instrumentation, work efficiency, and image evaluation for superficial structure is provided. Clinical experience in abdominal, obstetric and gynecological imaging is also provided. (12/25)
SONO-44C Superficial Structures
- Units
- 1
- Hours
- 0.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Corequisite
- SONO-44B (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers basic positioning and scanning protocol of the superficial structures; related anatomy and physiology to include the neck, breast, and male reproductive system; pathology and clinical symptomology and how they relate to the sonographic appearance of these structures. Interpretation and critique of normal and abnormal anatomy with correlation of clinical didactic and image information will be presented. The laboratory component will include demonstration and scanning exercises. (11/19)
SONO-45A Integrative Study in Sonography
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers a comprehensive analysis and assessment of all previous diagnostic medical sonography instructional coursework in preparation for writing national registry examinations. Modifications related to national registry updates are included. Job market readiness skills will also be presented. (11/19)
SONO-45B Clinical Experience IV
- Units
- 9.5
- Hours
- 32 hours lab TBA
- Corequisite
- SONO-45C (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course provides clinical experience for application of theoretical principles and concepts covered in previous and current didactic course work. Clinical experience in patient care and handling, scanning techniques, instrumentation, work efficiency, and image evaluation of basic vascular sonography is provided. Clinical experience in abdominal, obstetric, gynecological, and superficial structures imaging is also provided. (12/25)
SONO-45C Basics of Vascular Sonography
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture, 1.5 hours lab
- Corequisite
- SONO-45B (two-way)
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course covers basic positioning and scanning protocol of the extracranial and lower extremity peripheral vascular system. Vascular terminology specific to the hemodynamics of these systems will be presented. Normal, abnormal, and pathologic states of the human vascular system with emphasis on the extracranial cerebrovascular system and the lower extremity peripheral arterial and venous systems. The laboratory component of this course will include demonstration and scanning exercises to provide a “live lab” experience in conducting basic vascular procedures. (11/19)
SONO-47A Advanced Vascular Sonography
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- SONO-45C
- Corequisite
- SONO-45B
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a continuation of the Basics of Vascular course to include advanced sonographic imaging, positioning, scanning protocols, and vascular testing of the Cerebrovascular, Peripheral, Mesenteric Systems, ultrasound guided procedures, and vascular surgical interventions. Sonographic anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical symptomology, and hemodynamic effects related to clinical interpretation. Laboratory component: sonographic safety and ergonomics, demonstration of scanning exercises, and competency assessment of sonographic vascular examinations to include all relevant Doppler and sonographic instrumentation. (02/22)