Students in the Biomedical Sciences major are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree upon completion of all requirements. Students choose from one of the following seven areas or submajors:

  • Medical Laboratory Science
  • Biomedical Science
  • Cytotechnology
  • Radiologic Technology
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • Diagnostic Imaging (degree completion program)
  • Health Science (degree completion program)
  • Public Health Microbiology

All students will be required to comply with a background check, drug screen, and maintain health insurance during the professional training experience.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

By using high-frequency sound waves or ultrasound, sonographers produce images of soft tissue and blood flow to assist with the diagnostic process or administration of therapeutic application. Sonography is used to examine the abdomen, breast tissue, female reproductive system, urinary system, heart, and blood vessels. In addition, sound waves are used to guide fine-needle biopsy. Diagnostic Medical Sonography students complete the first two years of prerequisite courses on campus before applying for placement into the professional education portion of the curriculum. Once accepted into the professional education component of the program, students will take didactic and clinical education courses concurrently. Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Science degree, students are eligible to write the national board exams offered through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (www.ardms.org). The Diagnostic Medical Sonography professional education program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography. 

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2354                                                 

Requirements

Students pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography complete their freshman and sophomore years on campus. Upon advancement to the major, students complete the professional training curriculum (junior and senior years) at one of three external clinical affiliate sites: Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee), Advocate Aurora St. Luke's (Milwaukee), or UW Hospital and Clinics (Madison, WI). Two educational options are available: General/Vascular Sonography or Echocardiography/Vascular Sonography. Students are responsible for any relocation and all living expenses during clinical training. Requirements for entry into the professional programs may vary by site; students should contact the Academic Advisor for this program, Bill Mueller, for the most current site/program requirements. Mr. Mueller may be reached via e-mail at muellew@uwm.edu

The minimum degree requirement is 120 credits, including the following. Entry into the professional major is competitive, with the minimum requirements listed below. Completion of the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.

  1. Completion of UWM’s General Education Requirements (GER).
  2. A cumulative UWM minimum grade point average of 2.5.
  3. Completion of all required courses and electives (56 credits) in the preclinical semesters with a cumulative GPA of 3.0; a maximum of 4 courses may be repeated once.
  4. Successful completion of the professional education application process to include an on-site interview with the external sonography programs.
  5. Successful completion of a background check, health physical, drug screen, and maintenance of health insurance and CPR certification for the duration of the professional curriculum.
  6. Students are required to earn a grade of C or better in the following:
    DMI 300Diagnostic Medical Imaging Fundamentals2
    BIO SCI 202Anatomy and Physiology I4
    CHEM 100Chemical Science4
    BIO SCI 203Anatomy and Physiology II4
    BMS 301Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals1
    BMS 302Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I1
    BMS 303Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II1
    BMS 304Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III1
    BMS 305Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV1
  7. Complete a minimum of eight hours shadowing a sonographer: four hours of cardiac sonography and four hours in general sonography with a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonography professional prior to applying for placement into the professional education component.
  8. Completion of a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) course is required for the clinical application and placement. View a list of WI nurse aide training programs at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/.

Admission into the professional training curriculum is highly competitive and final admission decisions rest with the program directors. Admission is not guaranteed. To remain eligible to continue in the professional training curriculum, students must adhere to all program policies and procedures.

Preclinical Requirements
General Education Requirements
Oral and Written Communication (OWC) Competency Part A & B
Quantitative Literacy (QL) Competency Part A and B
Foreign Language Competency
Arts 3
Humanities
Natural Sciences 1
Social Sciences 1
Cultural Diversity 1
Major Requirements
HS 222Language of Medicine3
HS 224Computational Tools for Healthcare Professionals3
CHEM 100Chemical Science4
BIO SCI 202Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIO SCI 203Anatomy and Physiology II4
BIO SCI 150Foundations of Biological Sciences I4
DMI 300Diagnostic Medical Imaging Fundamentals2
BMS 205Introduction to Diagnostic Medicine3
BMS 245 (SS/CD)3
BMS 301Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals1
BMS 302Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I1
BMS 303Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II1
BMS 304Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III1
BMS 305Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV1
COMMUN 103Public Speaking (HU)3
COMSDIS 250Interprofessional Communication in the Health Sciences (SS)3
DMI 101Introduction to Medical Imaging1
KIN 270Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice3
ENGLISH 207Health Science Writing3
PHILOS 244Ethical Issues in Health Care: (HU)3
Professional & Clinical Training 2
DMI 311Abdominal Sonography-I3
DMI 312Abdominal Sonography-II3
DMI 313Sonography Clinical Education I3
DMI 319Abdominal Sonography III3
DMI 320Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography I3
DMI 321Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography II3
DMI 322Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography III3
DMI 323Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation3
DMI 324Sonography Clinical Education II3
DMI 325Specialized Sonography3
DMI 326Sonography Clinical Education III3
DMI 327Foundations of Sonography I2
DMI 328Foundations of Sonography II1
DMI 402Introduction to MSK Sonography3
DMI 450Vascular Sonography I3
DMI 451Vascular Sonography II3
DMI 452Sonography Clinical Education IV3
DMI 453Seminar in OB/GYN Sonography3
DMI 454Embryology of the Heart3
DMI 455Vascular Sonography III3
DMI 457Sonography Clinical Education V4
DMI 458Seminar in Advanced Medical Imaging3
DMI 460Professional Development in Sonography - Seminar3
DMI 461Sonography Clinical Education VI3
DMI 463Seminar in Education and Management in Medical Imaging3
DMI 464Introduction to Pediatric Sonography/Neurosonography3
Total Credits130
1

Credit may be utilized in required curriculum areas.

2

Example of the general/vascular curriculum provided. Curriculum course list and sequence given to student upon advancement to major.

Pre-Professional Training Requirements 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
SpringCredits
BIO SCI 203 Anatomy and Physiology II * 4
HS 222 Language of Medicine 3
KIN 270 Statistics in the Health Professions: Theory and Practice (QLB) 3
PHILOS 244 Ethical Issues in Health Care: (HU) 3
 Credits13
Fall
BIO SCI 202 Anatomy and Physiology I * 4
BMS 205 Introduction to Diagnostic Medicine 3
COMMUN 103 Public Speaking (HU) 3
CHEM 100 Chemical Science * 4
DMI 101 Introduction to Medical Imaging 1
 Credits15
Year 2
Spring
BMS 245 SS/CD 3
BMS 304 Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems III * 1
BMS 305 Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems IV * 1
HS 224 Computational Tools for Healthcare Professionals 3
ENGLISH 207 Health Science Writing (OWCB) 3
GER Elective (Arts) 3
 Credits14
Fall
BIO SCI 150 Foundations of Biological Sciences I 4
BMS 301 Human Pathophysiology: Fundamentals * 1
BMS 302 Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems I * 1
BMS 303 Human Pathophysiology: Organ Systems II * 1
COMSDIS 250 Interprofessional Communication in the Health Sciences (SS) 3
DMI 300 Diagnostic Medical Imaging Fundamentals * 2
 Credits12
 Total Credits54
*

Requires grade of C or better.

Professional Training Curriculum Course List: General/Vascular

(Curriculum course list and sequence provided to student upon advancement to major.)

DMI 311Abdominal Sonography-I3
DMI 312Abdominal Sonography-II3
DMI 313Sonography Clinical Education I3
DMI 319Abdominal Sonography III3
DMI 320Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography I3
DMI 321Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography II3
DMI 322Obstetrics/Gynecology Sonography III3
DMI 323Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation3
DMI 324Sonography Clinical Education II3
DMI 325Specialized Sonography3
DMI 326Sonography Clinical Education III3
DMI 327Foundations of Sonography I2
DMI 328Foundations of Sonography II1
DMI 402Introduction to MSK Sonography3
DMI 450Vascular Sonography I3
DMI 451Vascular Sonography II3
DMI 452Sonography Clinical Education IV3
DMI 453Seminar in OB/GYN Sonography3
DMI 454Embryology of the Heart3
DMI 455Vascular Sonography III3
DMI 457Sonography Clinical Education V4
DMI 458Seminar in Advanced Medical Imaging3
DMI 460Professional Development in Sonography - Seminar3
DMI 461Sonography Clinical Education VI3
DMI 463Seminar in Education and Management in Medical Imaging3
DMI 464Introduction to Pediatric Sonography/Neurosonography3
Total Credits76

Professional Training Curriculum Course List: Echocardiography/Vascular 

(Curriculum course list and sequence provided to student upon advancement to major.)

DMI 310Introduction to Sonography3
DMI 323Sonographic Principles and Instrumentation3
DMI 336Cardiovascular Principles I3
DMI 337Clinical Education I - Echocardiography3
DMI 340Embryology of the Cardiovascular System2
DMI 341Adult Echocardiography - Valvular Pathology3
DMI 342Clinical Education II - Echocardiography3
DMI 345Pediatric Echocardiography I3
DMI 346Adult Echocardiography II - Cardiomyopathies3
DMI 347Clinical Education III - Echocardiography3
DMI 435Adult Echocardiography - Advanced Pathology3
DMI 436Pediatric Echocardiography II3
DMI 437Stress Echocardiography3
DMI 438Clinical Education IV - Echocardiography3
DMI 439Clinical Education V - Echocardiography4
DMI 440Clinical Education VI - Echocardiography3
DMI 441Special Procedures in Echocardiography3
DMI 450Vascular Sonography I3
DMI 451Vascular Sonography II3
DMI 454Embryology of the Heart3
DMI 455Vascular Sonography III3
DMI 458Seminar in Advanced Medical Imaging3
DMI 460Professional Development in Sonography - Seminar3
DMI 463Seminar in Education and Management in Medical Imaging3
Total Credits72

Biomedical Sciences BS: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the BS program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography will be able to perform the following:  

  • Obtains, reviews, and integrates pertinent patient history and supporting clinical data to facilitate optimum diagnostic results. 
  • Performs appropriate procedures and records anatomic, pathologic, and/or physiologic data for interpretation by a physician.
  • Records, analyzes, and processes diagnostic data and other pertinent observations made during the procedure for presentation to the interpreting physician.
  • Exercises discretion and judgment in the performance of sonographic and/or related diagnostic services.
  • Demonstrates appropriate communication skills with patients and colleagues. 
  • Acts in a professional and ethical manner. 
  • Facilitates communication and education to elicit patient cooperation and understanding of expectations and responds to questions regarding the sonographic examination. 

Honors in the Major

Honors in the major are granted to students who earn a GPA of 3.500 or above on a minimum of 30 completed credits at UWM.

College of Health Professions and Sciences Dean's Honor List

GPA of 3.500 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.

Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction

Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.

Commencement Honors

Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).

Final Honors

Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.