Undergraduate study in nuclear medicine technology is guided by the academic rules and procedures outlined under Undergraduate Rules and Procedures in the Carver College of Medicine section of the catalog.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in nuclear medicine technology requires a minimum of 120 s.h. of credit. Work for the degree includes a set of courses that are prerequisite to entering the major, 61 s.h. of coursework in the major, and elective coursework sufficient to complete the minimum of 120 s.h. required for graduation. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 and a grade of C or higher in each course required for the major (61 s.h.).
Students who plan to complete all requirements for the degree at the University of Iowa enter the university as students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) with a nuclear medicine technology interest. As CLAS students, they complete the coursework that is prerequisite to entering the major.
Admission to the major is competitive; the program accepts a maximum of eight students per year. Students must apply to the major by Jan. 15 of the year in which they wish to enter the program. Personal interviews with qualified applicants are scheduled in February, and the class is selected by March 15. The program begins the following fall semester and lasts two years.
Applicants for admission to the University of Iowa whose first language is not English are strongly encouraged to complete the University of Iowa English Proficiency Evaluation and satisfy the university's English Proficiency Requirements before they apply to a professional program. Students must have permission to register for a full academic load before they may be admitted to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program.
The nuclear medicine technology major requires students to complete a minimum of two years of a high school world language, or college-level coursework deemed by the university as equivalent, prior to admission.
Students who are admitted to the major become Carver College of Medicine students. Upon completing the program successfully, they are granted a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates are eligible to apply for the nuclear medicine technology national certification examinations.
The program strongly advises students entering the university to pursue a course of study that is applicable to another major, most commonly biochemistry, biology, chemistry, or microbiology, so that if they are not admitted to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program, they still may complete a major and receive a bachelor's degree.
The Bachelor of Science with a major in nuclear medicine technology requires the following work.
Prerequisites to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Major
Students must complete the following prerequisite courses and must have earned 60 s.h. of college credit with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 before they may enter the nuclear medicine technology major. In addition to providing a foundation for the major, the prerequisite courses are good preparation for other majors.
Rhetoric
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4-5 |
Culture, Society, and the Arts
See GE CLAS Core (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog for approved courses in the culture, society, and the arts areas.
Students complete two courses for 3 s.h. each in two of these areas (total of 6 s.h.).
- Diversity and Inclusion approved coursework.
- Historical Perspectives approved coursework.
- International and Global Issues approved coursework.
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts approved coursework.
- Values and Culture approved coursework.
Mathematics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| MATH:1020 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| MATH:1440 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| A more advanced mathematics course | ||
Introductory Chemistry with Laboratory
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
Introductory Physics
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these: | ||
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1511 | College Physics I | 4 |
Psychology
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
Medical Terminology
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| CLSA:3750 | Medical and Technical Terminology | 2 |
Anatomy with Laboratory
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these options: | ||
| ACB:3110 & HHP:1110 | Principles of Human Anatomy - Human Anatomy Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:1100 & HHP:1110 | Human Anatomy - Human Anatomy Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3115 | Anatomy for Human Physiology with Lab | 5 |
Physiology with Laboratory
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One of these options: | ||
| HHP:1300 & HHP:1310 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology - Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3500 & HHP:1310 | Human Physiology - Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3550 | Human Physiology with Laboratory | 5 |
Recommended Pre-Major Courses
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program strongly recommends that students who intend to apply to the major take the following coursework in addition to the required prerequisite courses listed above.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| RSP:1100 | Introduction to the Radiation Sciences | 1 |
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1140 | Human Biology: Nonmajors | 4 |
| BIOL:1411 | Foundations of Biology | 4 |
| HHP:1400 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| STAT:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3 |
| STAT:3510 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| STAT:4143 | Introduction to Statistical Methods | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:1500 | Business Computing Essentials | 2 |
| CS:1020 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
Prospective students are encouraged to consult the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program office to plan an appropriate pre-major program of study.
Coursework in the Major
Students admitted to the nuclear medicine technology major spend two years in a clinical curriculum that is organized in accordance with the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT) Accreditation Standards for Nuclear Medicine Technologist Education. They complete coursework in the following areas: radiopharmacy, radiation safety and radiobiology, patient care, nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET) procedures, radiation physics and instrumentation, administration and management, medical and professional ethics, research methodology, and computed tomography (CT). Practical clinical rotations focus on nuclear medicine, PET and CT imaging, nuclear medicine therapy, clinical radiopharmacy, nuclear medicine computer applications, and quantification of radioactivity in vivo and in vitro.
Students must earn a grade of C or higher in each course required for the major.
The following coursework is required.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSNM:3120 | Fundamentals of Nuclear Medicine and PET | 3 |
| RSNM:3121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| RSNM:3131 | Radiopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| RSNM:3220 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| RSNM:3221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| RSNM:3231 | Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 3 |
| RSNM:3321 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship III | 6 |
| RSNM:4121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship IV | 4 |
| RSNM:4221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship V | 4 |
| RSNM:4222 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Capstone and Certification Exam Preparation | 6 |
| RSCT:4100 | Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences | 3 |
| RSCT:4120 | Computed Tomography Procedures I | 4 |
| RSCT:4130 | Computed Tomography Physical Principles and QC | 4 |
| RSP:2120 | Patient Care for the Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| RSP:3130 | Radiation Safety and Radiobiology | 2 |
| RSP:3210 | Medical Ethics and Law | 2 |
| RSP:3220 | Radiation Sciences Quality Management and Health Care Administration | 2 |
| RSP:4110 | Research Methodology for Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| Total Hours | 61 | |
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program has a stellar record of job placement. Graduates typically work as nuclear medicine technologists, beginning as entry-level staff at hospitals or clinics. With experience, many earn advanced degrees in areas such as radiation biology, health physics, or medicine. Some work in the private sector as sales or marketing specialists in nuclear medicine.
Graduates also find career opportunities in education as instructors, coordinators, or program directors; and in administration, industry, or research and development. Those pursuing government-related jobs might find positions as regulatory agency inspectors or radiation safety officers. See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for nuclear medicine technologists on the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website for career information and outlook.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Nuclear Medicine Technology, BS
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| Students apply to the Nuclear Medicine Technology BS program through a selective process. Acceptance is not guaranteed. a | ||
| Students must earn a grade of C or higher in all RS** courses. | ||
| The Nuclear Medicine Technology professional program is two years in duration. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Recommended: health care experience (e.g. CNA), job shadowing in nuclear medicine and PET | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4 |
| HHP:1400 or BIOL:1140 |
Human Anatomy and Physiology b or Human Biology: Nonmajors |
3 - 4 |
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| RSP:1100 | Introduction to the Radiation Sciences c | 1 |
| GE: General Education course (DI, IGI, HP, LVPA, or VC) d | 3 | |
| Admission Application: students may be eligible to apply for early acceptance (due January 15) e | ||
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Human Anatomy and Lab f | 4 - 5 | |
| CLSA:3750 | Medical and Technical Terminology | 2 |
| MATH:1440 or MATH:1020 |
Mathematics for the Biological Sciences g or Elementary Functions |
4 |
| GE: General Education course (DI, IGI, HP, LVPA, or VC) d | 3 | |
| Elective course | 2 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I h | 4 |
| PHYS:1511 or PHYS:1400 |
College Physics I or Basic Physics |
3 - 4 |
| CS:1020 or BAIS:1500 |
Principles of Computing c or Business Computing Essentials |
2 - 3 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 2 | |
| Admission Application: begin preparing materials for NMT program application (due January 15) e | ||
| Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II c | 4 |
| STAT:4143 |
Introduction to Statistical Methods c or Elementary Statistics and Inference or Biostatistics |
3 |
| Human Physiology and Lab i | 4 - 5 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 2 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| The curriculum shown in the third and fourth years on this plan begins upon acceptance into the Carver College of Medicine, Nuclear Medicine Technology Professional Program. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| RSNM:3120 | Fundamentals of Nuclear Medicine and PET | 3 |
| RSNM:3121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| RSNM:3131 | Radiopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| RSP:3130 | Radiation Safety and Radiobiology | 2 |
| RSP:2120 | Patient Care for the Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| RSNM:3220 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures | 3 |
| RSNM:3221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| RSNM:3231 | Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 3 |
| RSP:3210 | Medical Ethics and Law | 2 |
| RSCT:4100 | Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Summer | ||
| RSNM:3321 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship III | 6 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| RSNM:4121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship IV | 4 |
| RSP:4110 | Research Methodology for Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| RSCT:4130 | Computed Tomography Physical Principles and QC | 4 |
| RSCT:4120 | Computed Tomography Procedures I | 4 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RSNM:4221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship V | 4 |
| RSNM:4222 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Capstone and Certification Exam Preparation | 6 |
| RSP:3220 | Radiation Sciences Quality Management and Health Care Administration | 2 |
| Exam: Upon completion of the program students are eligible to apply to take certification exams. | ||
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) j | ||
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120-125 | |
- a
- The Academic Advising Center advises Nuclear Medicine Technology Interest students on prerequisite course planning. Students are advised for success, based on academic strength, not necessarily for a four year plan. Prerequisites may take more than two years to complete.
- b
- One of these courses is strongly recommended to prepare for the anatomy and physiology courses.
- c
- This course is recommended not required.
- d
- Students must complete 6 s.h. by taking 3 s.h. courses from two of the following areas: Diversity and Inclusion, Historical Perspectives, International and Global Issues, Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, or Values and Culture.
- e
- Please see the Radiation Sciences Programs' website and your academic advisor for detailed application instructions and deadlines.
- f
- Choose from HHP:3115, HHP:1100 and HHP:1110, ACB:3110 and HHP:1110.
- g
- Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- h
- Enrollment in chemistry courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- i
- Choose from HHP:3550, HHP:1300 and HHP:1310, HHP:3500 and HHP:1310.
- j
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Graduation Services.