Radiologic Science
22 courses · Merritt College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
RADSC 1A Survey of Radiologic Science
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Transfers to
- CSU
Exploration of educational/career options in diagnostic radiologic science: Includes policy for program entry, the job functions of a radiologic technologist and observations in a clinical setting; introduction to medical terminology, radiographic examinations, basic radiation safety principles, standard precautions, patient care, ethics and medical-legal issues, and advanced specialty modalities. Covers both positive and negative aspects of the field regarding the pursuit of a career in this area.
RADSC 1B Introduction to Medical Imaging
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 001A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Overview of allied health professions with specific attention to the medical imaging technologist: Allied health education, ethical behavior, medical-legal issues and liabilities, interpersonal communications, radiation safety, and preparation for clinical experience.
RADSC 1C Introduction to Medical Imaging Clinic
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 12 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 001Btaken first during same term as RADSC 001C, Background check, Drug screen, Health clearances: Physical examination, and recent negative TB (PPD) skin test or chest X-ray test results, and recent immunizations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, rubeola, rubella, mumps, and chicken pox (varicella).
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the clinical environment (carried out in an affiliated hospital): Emphasis on patient care and positioning; orientation to the hospital and medical imaging department, hospital information system, radiology information system, quality assurance, equipment operation, department safety, and radiographic procedures.
RADSC 2A Radiographic Physics I
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- CIS 001 and MATH 203.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to principles of radiographic physics and radiographic quality factors: X-ray imaging systems, X-ray tube characteristics, X-ray beam production and X-ray emission; X-ray interaction with matter, basic control panel elements, and grids. Emphasis is placed on radiographic image quality, scatter radiation and basic imaging factors that include: patient position, tube position, distance, grid ratio and exposure factors.
RADSC 2B Radiographic Physics II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 2A: Radiographic quality factors, radiologic quantities and units; structure of matter, electromagnetic energy, magnetism, electricity, electromagnetism; x-ray imaging system, circuitry, x-ray tube, x-ray production, x-ray emission spectrum, and x-ray interactions with matter.
RADSC 2C Digital Applications in Medical Imaging
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002B.
- Corequisite
- RADSC 009C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of Radsc 2B: Technology applicable to specialized operation of computed/digital radiography and fluoroscopy, picture archiving and communication and radiology information systems; hands-on applications of software packages used to simulate job skills needed in a hospital clinical environment.
RADSC 3A Positioning I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 001A, BIOL 024 or and or BIOL 020A and .
- Corequisite
- RADSC 001C, RADSC 002A.
- Advisory
- CIS 001, HLTOC 201or equivalent course, Healthcare and/or customer service work experience or business or professional communications courses.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Terminology, accessory devices, and equipment used in radiographic procedures: Application of protective devices; anatomy review and positioning for examinations of the chest, abdomen, and upper and lower extremities to include the shoulder, bony thorax, and pelvis.
RADSC 3B Positioning II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 4 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 001B, RADSC 002A, RADSC 003A, RADSC 005A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 3A: Anatomy review and positioning for examinations of the bony thorax, upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, urinary system, spine, cranium, facial bones, and sinuses.
RADSC 4A Radiation Protection
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002B and RADSC 003B and RADSC 009A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Physics of ionizing radiation: Photon and particle interaction with living tissue, protective materials and barriers, state and federal regulations governing radiation and consumer protection, practical methods and principles used in producing optimum images while limiting patient exposure, instrumentation in detecting and monitoring radiation, and measurement of useful scatter radiation.
RADSC 4B Radiobiology
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002B and RADSC 003B and RADSC 009A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 4A focusing on a study of the effects of ionizing-radiation exposure on human and animal populations: Photon and particulate ionizing-radiation interactions with living tissue at the atomic, molecular, cellular, organic, and whole-body levels; physical and biologic factors affecting radiosensitivity; risk estimates/perspectives for patients subject to diagnostic and interventional radiology procedures and radiation therapy procedures; early and late radiation effects and acute radiation syndrome; and scientific basis for current radiation protection philosophies and regulations.
RADSC 5A Patient Care I
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab
- Prerequisite
- BIOL 020A and BIOL 020B or BIOL 002 or BIOL 004.
- Advisory
- ENGL C1000 or ENGL 1A or ENGL C1000E or ENGL 1AS.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Ethical and interpersonal responsibilities of the health-team members: Theory and practice in assessing patient care, evaluation of radiographic orders, medical terminology related to all major body systems, medical asepsis, standard precautions techniques, and contrast preparation and administration techniques.
RADSC 5B Patient Care II
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 003B, RADSC 005A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced patient-care skills: Complex clinical problem-solving skills; cultural sensitivity; radiography and care for patients with central venous lines, chest tubes, endotracheal tubes, enteric tubes, and urinary catheters; medical emergencies in the radiology department; pharmacology; contrast media and associated hazards; venipuncture for contrast-media administration; special care needs for patients with chronic disabilities.
RADSC 6 Quality Management/Fluoroscopy
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 2 hours lecture, 2 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002C, RADSC 004A, RADSC 009C.
- Corequisite
- RADSC 009D.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Quality management/fluoroscopy concepts: Equipment monitoring and maintenance programs for radiography, fluoroscopy and image processing; artifact causes and repeat analysis programs; demonstrations and performance of quality assurance procedures in both radiographic and fluoroscopic areas emphasizing high quality patient care; and preparations for taking the California fluoroscopy permit examination.
RADSC 7 Advanced Imaging Procedures
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 3 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002C, RADSC 005B, RADSC 009C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced imaging procedures and equipment: Fluoroscopy, Image Recording Systems, Angiography, Interventional Procedures, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Nuclear Medicine; present and future medical imaging trends.
RADSC 8 Sectional Anatomy and Radiographic Pathology
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 4 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002C, RADSC 005B, RADSC 009C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Systematic classification of disease: Signs and symptoms of common diseases, radiographic examination and treatment of diseases, application of plain and special imaging modalities in the diagnostic process utilizing sagittal, axial and coronal imaging planes of head, neck, spine, chest, abdominal and pelvic cavities and joints. Anatomic reference points, intersecting planes and medical terminology used to identify relationships of organs as well as pathological conditions.
RADSC 9A Clinical Experience I
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 16 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Clinical practicum in a medical-imaging department of an affiliated clinical education center.
RADSC 9B Clinical Experience II
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 16 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002B, RADSC 003B, RADSC 009A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 9A: Clinical practicum in a medical-imaging department of an affiliated clinical training center.
RADSC 9C Clinical Experience III
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 24 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 004B and RADSC 009B and RADSC 010A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 9B: Advanced clinical practicum in a medical-imaging department of an affiliated clinical training center.
RADSC 9D Clinical Experience IV
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 24 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 003B, RADSC 005B, RADSC 009C.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 9C: Advanced clinical practicum in a medical-imaging department of an affiliated clinical training center.
RADSC 9E Clinical Experience V
- Units
- 6
- Hours
- 24 hours lab
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 009D.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of RADSC 9D: Advanced clinical practicum in a medical-imaging department of an affiliated clinical training center.
RADSC 10A Seminar
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 002B and RADSC 003B and RADSC 009A.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Discussion and analysis of topics relevant to the radiologic sciences: Imaging procedures in the OR, special considerations for the pediatric patient, ethical and patient care case studies, advances in infection control, and new developments in the field including equipment and techniques.
RADSC 10B Seminar
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 1.5 hours lecture
- Prerequisite
- RADSC 007 and RADSC 008.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Preparation for state licensing and national registry examinations: Assistance with job-interview skills and resume preparation, updates of CAL OSHA regulations, California and national radiologic health regulations regarding radiation/occupational safety and patient care; exploration of other topics, and problem solving related to patient care and medical imaging in clinical and community settings.