Year 1

Semester 1 – Fall

PHUS110
Physics of Ultrasound

This online, lecture-based course investigates all aspects of the principles of ultrasound physics, instrumentation, image artefacts, quality assurance and Doppler. The basic content covered in this course is the foundation from which the students will build their image recognition and assessment skills. The basics of equipment function, set-up and manipulation will be taught using a variety of methods. Material will be covered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous delivery.

ABUS111
Ultrasound of the Abdomen I

This sonography-based course explores the normal ultrasound appearances of multiple human body systems, organs and vessels in gray scale and Doppler to include ; abdominal organs/ systems (urinary system, liver, biliary system, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas and gastrointestinal system), peri and retroperitoneum as well as superficial structures (breast, thyroid, parathyroid & salivary glands), the male reproductive system (scrotum, testis, epididymis, prostate & seminal vesicles). Normal Doppler ultrasound findings of the abdominal vessels, extra cranial vessels and the upper and lower extremity venous system are also discussed using sonographic images. The students learn to critically assess sonographic image(s) using spatial and relational reasoning to recognize normal & normal variants and their sonographic appearances. The students also learn to recognise the lab data associated with each organ as well as the patient preparation for each ultrasound examination. Using appropriate medical and sonographic terminology the student learns to write a technical impression of the sonographic findings. The student must review human anatomy and physiology as per the required entrance prerequisite to be better prepared for this course.  This course will be conducted online via Zoom and all course materials are posted on the Blackboard Learning Platform.

APIG110
Cross-Sectional Anatomy

This course introduces the students to the cross-sectional and relational anatomy of the head, central nervous system, neck, spine, thorax, abdomen, male pelvis, female pelvis, upper & lower extremities as well as muscles, vessels and the lymphatic system using anatomical diagrams, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) images. The ability to recognize anatomical structures as demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) images is essential in all disciplines that utilize diagnostic medical imaging since it allows the student to learn from an extended field of view. This course offers weekly interactive lectures and provides the student with an interactive environment in which they can actively apply the knowledge learned by using digital diagnostic medical images and line drawings. This course will be conducted online via Zoom and all course materials are posted on the Blackboard Learning Platform.

USUS112
Ultrasound Scanning I

This hands-on simulation laboratory course will introduce sonographic scanning techniques of the liver, biliary system, kidneys and spleen. Labs will include patient identification, informed consent, patient safety, ergonomics, hand hygiene and professionalism. You will have opportunities to practice the various imaging protocols in a simulated laboratory setting by scanning your peers.  Competency in performing the procedures will be evaluated throughout the course. The course will have weekly synchronous and asynchronous material. The topics and skills will be reinforced in USUS123, and SCUS131 and the clinical semesters CLUS130/240.

PPUS110
Professional Practice I

This is the first of two courses centered around patient care and professionalism. This course will be conducted in a hybrid online and in-person format and is designed to introduce students to the principles and application of patient care and professionalism. Students will practice patient care skills and interact with standardized patients. Themes and activities within this course complement the concurrent USUS112 Ultrasound Scanning 1 course. Topics include professionalism, scope of practice, team development, communication, obtaining informed consent, and patient mobility/transfer skills.

Semester 2 – Winter

ABUS121
Sonographic Pathology of the Abdomen & Superficial Structures

This course builds upon the content of ABUS 111 (Ultrasound of the Abdomen I). This sonography-based course explores the abnormal ultrasound appearances of multiple human body systems, organs and vessels in gray scale and Doppler to include: abdominal organs/ systems (urinary system, liver, biliary system, spleen, adrenal glands, pancreas and gastrointestinal system), peri and retroperitoneum as well as superficial structures (breast, thyroid, parathyroid, salivary glands & superficial tissues), and the male reproductive system (scrotum, testis, epididymis, prostate & seminal vesicles). The students will critically assess sonographic image(s) using spatial and relational reasoning to recognize normal, variants versus abnormal ultrasound appearances. The students will learn to correlate clinical history and lab data to the specific sonographic findings in order to create a technical impression and formulate a differential diagnosis using medical and sonographic terminology. The students will also conduct a literature review on a given pathology in order to review professional literature and assess relevance to evidence-based practice. This is a didactic course that consists of 2 classes of 3 hours each in duration weekly.  This is an online interactive synchronous course.

OBUS121
Obstetrics and Gynecology

This didactic online course covers the anatomy and physiology of the female reproductive system in both the gravid and non-gravid state, along with fetal development from implantation to birth. All of this information is used in distinguishing between normal and abnormal ultrasound appearances. The student will learn to critically assess the image to create the technical impression and the differential diagnosis that is provided to the physicians. They will do this by integrating the patients’ history with lab data, and the ultrasound appearances.

USUS123
Ultrasound Scanning II

This hands-on ultrasound-scanning course is conducted in a simulated laboratory environment utilizing high and low fidelity phantoms/simulators and human peer to peer scanning.

The emphasis of this course is for students to become competent in scanning a normal abdomen & a female pelvis (transabdominal) utilizing a given protocol. The students will be scanning each other to enhance their scanning skills on the abdomen, superficial structures (thyroid, parathyroid & salivary glands) as well as transabdominal female and male pelvis. The students will utilize high and low fidelity phantoms/simulators to develop their sonographic scanning skills in the examinations of obstetrics & transvaginal scanning. Standardized patients may be utilized during the labs and for evaluations.

Incorporated within the simulated labs are the patient care criteria of: utilizing professional communication, draping the patient, obtaining informed consent, obtaining pertinent clinical history and utilizing universal precautions throughout the examination. Patient safety, universal precautions, disinfection techniques and ergonomics are also emphasized and evaluated throughout this course. This is a hybrid course with weekly online synchronous tutorial sessions to introduce the new topics, debrief the weekly scanning lab sessions and answer questions that arise from lab experiences.  All ultrasound scanning labs (simulation activities) will be on campus in the ultrasound lab and the students will utilize peer to peer scanning with the exception of transvaginal and obstetrics ultrasound where phantoms will be utilized. During COVID restrictions, the students will also be provided access to an ultrasound simulation software that can be utilized at home in order to better prepare for the on-campus scanning labs.

Semester 3 – Summer

SCUS131
Ultrasound Simulated Clinical

This ultrasound simulated scanning course has been developed to prepare the student for entry into the clinical environment. The emphasis of this course is for students to become competent in scanning a normal abdomen & female pelvis (transabdominal). The students will also work on the development of sonographic scanning skills of obstetrics, transvaginal scanning, superficial structures (breast, thyroid, and scrotum); all except the thyroid scanning is done utilizing high and low fidelity simulators. Vascular Doppler ultrasound of the abdominal vessels (including intrahepatic and renal vessels), extracranial vessels, iliac vessels, and peripheral vessels are also practiced. The students will be introduced to musculoskeletal scanning of the shoulder. Incorporated within the simulated labs are the patient care criteria: utilizing professional communication, obtaining informed consent, and obtaining pertinent clinical history. Patient safety, universal precautions and ergonomics are also emphasized and evaluated throughout the course. Weekly tutorial sessions are used to introduce the new topics, debrief the weekly scanning lab sessions and answer questions that arise from lab experiences.  Students will be scanning each other for the abdomen, male (transabdominal) and female pelvis (transabdominal), thyroid, extracranial vessels, and upper & lower extremities. Phantoms are utilized for all sensitive exams such as obstetrics, transvaginal ultrasound, scrotal ultrasound, and breast ultrasound. Standardized patients may be utilized for evaluations.

PPUS130
Professional Practice II

This course reinforces the patient care and professionalism skills from the PPUS110 and prepares the student for the clinical semester. The course also focuses on the principles and application of patient care skills that will complement the SCUS130 simulated clinical scanning course. Accordingly, the student will build on history taking and patient care skills with challenging scenarios and interactions with standardized patients. The course will identify challenges when working with diverse patients. Students will learn about infection control, infectious patients, and patients who require oxygen therapy and how to monitor and assess patient’s vital signs.. Students will learn about the patient care, consent and setup for an interventional procedure. Furthermore, the students will analyze relevant literature in order to learn the need for evidence-based practice. The learner will research, analyze and discuss the Health Care Privacy Acts in Ontario in order to be better informed for clinical practice. The course will provide an orientation and preparation for the clinical semester which begins in the fall.

RMUS250
Evidence Based Clinical Practice

This on-line synchronous & asynchronous course involving independent work in which the learner will conduct a literature review to gather evidence on a chosen topic related to medical ultrasound or an approved health care topic. The student will employ effective search strategies and techniques to conduct a literature search and write a literature review on the topic. The learner will utilize the e citation management tool called Zotera to format their literature review in Vancouver style. Using the process of Evidence Based Practice the learner will apply the evidence from their literature review to reflect on the impact on their sonography practice and will present their literature review findings in an online presentation.

Year 2

Semesters 4 and 5 – Fall/Winter

CLUS130 and CLUS240
Clinical Practicum I and Clinical Practicum II

This clinical practicum consists of two clinical semesters.  The semesters are specified as either an “Abdomen/superficial structures/vascular”, “Obstetrics/gynecology” or “Blended” rotation. Each clinical semester is 15 weeks in length. An assessment timeline for each clinical semester has been developed so that evaluations can occur in a timely manner. The schedule is posted to the CLUS130/240 folder on Blackboard. The time afforded to the clinical learning experience is such that it will provide you with ongoing and diverse experience in the clinical environment. The goal of clinical is not simply to complete the objectives, but to gain knowledge and skills from a wide variety of situations and experiences. This clinical practicum is designed to offer the student the opportunity to apply the acquired didactic knowledge learned during the theoretical portion of the Ultrasound program. The student will demonstrate and perform a variety of Ultrasound examination and procedures. The clinical semester is an opportunity to scan and to learn new techniques.  Take advantage of opportunities to observe and/or participate in interventional procedures, carotid & MSK scanning and teaching rounds. It is important to keep reading your textbook and review your lecture notes during the clinical semester.

Attendance during all clinical courses is mandatory. If you are sick, contact your Clinical Coordinator or designate. If you are unable to attend clinical because of an unexpected absence, such as an illness or a death, contact your Clinical Coordinator. During your clinical rotation, if you are not able to obtain all the competencies at your clinical site, arrangements will be made to obtain the competencies at another site. In some cases, the vascular competencies (Lower Ext Venous) may be completed and assessed at another site. During the clinical semester, you will document ONLY the ultrasound examinations that you have completed independently in the LOGBOOK section in COMPTRACKER. The number of cases listed is a guideline. You will not fail the clinical semester if you have not completed the suggested number of cases. It is important to produce quality ultrasound examinations.