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.
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The Bachelor of Science 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, 60 s.h. of coursework in the major, and elective coursework sufficient to complete the minimum of 120 s.h. required for graduation. Registered nuclear medicine technologists interested in earning a Bachelor of Science degree by distance education should see the Radiation Sciences RT to BS (Online) section of the catalog.
Accepted students enter the professional program, the nuclear medicine technology major, and the Carver College of Medicine the following fall semester. Students must maintain an overall cumulative, UI, and semester grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00. Students must also earn a grade of C or higher in each course required for the major. Upon successful completion of the program, they earn a Bachelor of Science degree and 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 earn a bachelor's degree.
Students who have declared a nuclear medicine technology interest but have not yet applied and been accepted to the Carver College of Medicine major are advised by the University of Iowa Academic Advising Center. After they have been accepted to the nuclear medicine technology program, they are advised by the Radiation Sciences Office of Student Affairs.
The Bachelor of Science in nuclear medicine technology requires the following coursework.
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 an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 and a UI GPA of at least 2.00. Additionally, they must earn a 2.00 term GPA in the spring semester immediately preceding the start of the nuclear medicine major.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Rhetoric | ||
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric: Writing and Communication | 4-5 |
| Chemistry With Laboratory | ||
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| Anatomy With Laboratory | ||
| One of these: | ||
| HHP:2100 & HHP:2110 | Human Anatomy and Human Anatomy Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3115 | Anatomy for Human Physiology With Lab | 5 |
| Physiology With Laboratory | ||
| One of these: | ||
| HHP:2400 & HHP:2410 | Fundamentals of Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3500 & HHP:2410 | Human Physiology and Human Physiology Laboratory | 4 |
| HHP:3550 | Human Physiology With Laboratory | 5 |
| Physics | ||
| One of these: | ||
| PHYS:1400 | Basic Physics | 3-4 |
| PHYS:1511 | College Physics I | 4 |
| Psychology | ||
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| One of these: | ||
| MATH:1020 | Elementary Functions | 4 |
| MATH:1440 | Mathematics for the Biological Sciences | 4 |
| A more advanced mathematics course | ||
| Medical Terminology | ||
| CLSA:3750 | Medical and Technical Terminology | 2 |
Culture, Society, and the Arts
Students complete two courses for 3 s.h. each in two of these areas (total of 6 s.h.).
- Understanding Cultural Perspectives
- Historical Perspectives
- International and Global Issues
- Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts
- Values and Society
See GE CLAS Core (College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) in the catalog for approved courses in the areas listed.
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, quality management, healthcare administration, medical and professional ethics, research methodology, emotional intelligence, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 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.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| RSNM:3120 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures I | 3 |
| RSNM:3121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| RSNM:3131 | Radiopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| RSNM:3132 | Radiation Safety and Regulations in Nuclear Medicine | 1 |
| RSNM:3140 | Foundations in Nuclear Medicine and PET | 1 |
| RSNM:3220 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures II | 3 |
| RSNM:3221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| RSNM:3231 | Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 3 |
| RSNM:3320 | Foundations in Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 2 |
| RSNM:3321 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship III | 4 |
| RSNM:4121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship IV | 4 |
| RSNM:4221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship V | 5 |
| RSNM:4222 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Capstone and Certification Exam Preparation | 5 |
| RSCT:4100 | Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences | 3 |
| RSCT:4130 | Computed Tomography Physical Principles and QC | 4 |
| RSP:2120 | Patient Care for the Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| RSP:3130 | Introduction to Radiation Safety and Radiobiology | 1 |
| 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 |
| RSRT:3220 | Emotional Intelligence for the Health Care Professional | 2 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Admission to the nuclear medicine technology major is competitive and selective; acceptance into the major is not guaranteed. Students who wish to enter the major must first be admitted to the University of Iowa as College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) students with a nuclear medicine technology interest.
As CLAS students, there are two application options for the nuclear medicine technology professional program. Early acceptance is an option for students who will have at least 30 s.h. and half of the prerequisite courses completed by the end of the spring semester of the year in which they are applying. Standard acceptance is an option for students who will have all of the prerequisite courses, including 60 s.h., completed by the end of the spring semester of the year in which they are applying. Students must apply to the nuclear medicine technology professional program by Jan. 15. Standard acceptance applications will be considered for the upcoming fall; early acceptance applications will be considered for the following fall. See Apply on the Radiation Sciences Program website. Transfer students are encouraged to apply in early November to allow time for transfer course articulation.
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program accepts a maximum of eight students per year. Applications are due by January 15 and the class is selected by early March. The program begins each 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.
For additional information on UI admission requirements, contact the University of Iowa Admissions.
Recommended Pre-Major Courses
The Nuclear Medicine Technology Program recommends that before students submit an application to the program and the major, they job-shadow a professional who works in nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET) and gain hands-on patient care experience.
The following courses are recommended prior to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Program application.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| PSY:1010 | Your Brain Unlocked: Learning About Learning | 1 |
| RSP:1100 | Introduction to the Radiation Sciences | 1 |
| STAT:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| BIOL:1140 | Human Biology: Nonmajors | 4 |
| HHP:1400 | Human Anatomy and Physiology | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| BAIS:1500 | Business Computing Essentials | 2 |
| CS:1020 | Principles of Computing | 3 |
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: job shadowing a professional who works in nuclear medicine and positron emission tomography (PET) and hands-on patient care experience. | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| RSP:1100 | Introduction to the Radiation Sciences b | 1 |
| BIOL:1140 or HHP:1400 |
Human Biology: Nonmajors c or Human Anatomy and Physiology |
3 - 4 |
| PSY:1001 | Elementary Psychology | 3 |
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric: Writing and Communication | 4 |
| GE: General Education course (HP, IGI, LVPA, UCP or VS) d | 3 | |
| Admission Application: students may be eligible to apply for early acceptance (due January 15) e | ||
| Hours | 14-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CLSA:3750 | Medical and Technical Terminology | 2 |
| Anatomy with Laboratory course f | 4 - 5 | |
| MATH:1440 or MATH:1020 |
Mathematics for the Biological Sciences g or Elementary Functions |
4 |
| GE: General Education course (HP, IGI, LVPA, UCP or VS) d | 3 | |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16-17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM:1110 | Principles of Chemistry I h | 4 |
| BAIS:1500 or CS:1020 |
Business Computing Essentials b or Principles of Computing |
2 - 3 |
| PHYS:1400 or PHYS:1511 |
Basic Physics or College Physics I |
3 - 4 |
| PSY:1010 | Your Brain Unlocked: Learning About Learning b | 1 |
| Elective course | 3 | |
| Elective course | 2 | |
| Admission Application: begin preparing materials for the Nuclear Medicine Technology professional program application (due January 15) e | ||
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM:1120 | Principles of Chemistry II b | 4 |
| Physiology with Laboratory course i | 4 - 5 | |
| STAT:1020 | Elementary Statistics and Inference b | 3 |
| 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 | ||
| RSCT:4100 | Sectional Anatomy for Imaging Sciences | 3 |
| RSNM:3120 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures I | 3 |
| RSNM:3121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship I | 3 |
| RSNM:3132 | Radiation Safety and Regulations in Nuclear Medicine | 1 |
| RSNM:3140 | Foundations in Nuclear Medicine and PET | 1 |
| RSP:2120 | Patient Care for the Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| RSP:3130 | Introduction to Radiation Safety and Radiobiology | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| RSNM:3220 | Nuclear Medicine and PET Clinical Procedures II | 3 |
| RSNM:3221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship II | 3 |
| RSNM:3131 | Radiopharmaceuticals | 3 |
| RSP:3210 | Medical Ethics and Law | 2 |
| RSRT:3220 | Emotional Intelligence for the Health Care Professional | 2 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Summer | ||
| RSNM:3320 | Foundations in Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 2 |
| RSNM:3321 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship III | 4 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| RSCT:4130 | Computed Tomography Physical Principles and QC | 4 |
| RSNM:3231 | Nuclear Medicine Instrumentation | 3 |
| RSNM:4121 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship IV | 4 |
| RSP:4110 | Research Methodology for Radiation Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| RSNM:4221 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Clinical Internship V | 5 |
| RSNM:4222 | Nuclear Medicine Technology Capstone and Certification Exam Preparation | 5 |
| 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 | 121-126 | |
- 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
- This course is recommended not required.
- c
- One of these courses is strongly recommended to prepare for the anatomy and physiology courses.
- d
- Students must complete 6 s.h. by taking 3 s.h. courses from two of the following areas: Historical Perspectives, International and Global Issues, Literary, Visual, and Performing Arts, Understanding Cultural Perspectives, or Values and Society.
- e
- See the Radiation Sciences website and your academic advisor for detailed application instructions and deadlines.
- f
- Choose either HHP:3115, or HHP:2100 and HHP:2110.
- 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:2400 and HHP:2410, or HHP:3500 and HHP:2410.
- j
- Please see Academic Calendar, on 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 Degree Services.