Diagnostic Medical Sonography
15 courses · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026 · Spring 2027
DMS A110 Introduction to Sonography
- Units
- 1.5
- Hours
- 18 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- BIOL A221 and ALH A010 and ALH A111.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is a required prerequisite for all students entering the Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS) Program. Basic sonographic theory is taught with an emphasis on instrumentation, patient exam presets and scan planes. Basic cross-sectional and sonographic anatomy, as well as scan protocols are taught.
DMS A123 Sectional Anatomy for Medical Imaging
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- BIOL A221; or BIOL A220 and BIOL A225.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is a study of specific areas of the human body in serial sections. Designed for diagnostic medical sonography and radiologic imaging technology. Emphasis is on structures observable on diagnostic medical sonography, computerized tomography and related imaging studies.
DMS A126 OB/GYN Sonography
- Units
- 4
- Hours
- 72 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A123 and DMS A150.
- Transfers to
- CSU
A cross-sectional anatomical and sonographic study of the female reproductive system including the nongravid pelvis as well as the gravid pelvis; includes specific study of embryology, fetal biometric data, normal and abnormal fetal anatomy, placenta, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord, menstrual cycle and pathology of the female nongravid pelvis. Topics of discussion will include appropriate laboratory tests, ultrasound scan protocols of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and other imaging modalities utilized in OB/GYN.
DMS A150 Sonographic Physics and Instrumentation for DMS
- Units
- 3.5
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- RADT A100.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is the study of physical principles and instrumentation of diagnostic medical sonography. It includes equipment design, instrumentation and application.
DMS A155 Introduction to Vascular Ultrasound
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A150.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This course is an introduction to vascular ultrasound including Doppler physical principles and instrumentation. The venous system of the upper and lower extremities is emphasized this semester.
DMS A161 Pathophysiology
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A123.
- Corequisite
- DMS A165.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Specific study of pathophysiological mechanisms related to diagnostic medical sonography.
DMS A165 Introduction to Scanning Practice
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 54 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A123 and DMS A150.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to sonographic scanning protocol as applied to clinical practice. Course includes environment of ultrasound department, emphasis on professionalism, student behavior, medico-legal aspects, and humanistic approach to patients.
DMS A166 DMS Clinical Experience 1
- Units
- 2
- Hours
- 108 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- ALH A115.
- Corequisite
- DMS A165.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Introduction to the clinical environment and exposure to departmental organization, patient flow, PACS procedures, observation of techniques, policies and procedures of clinical cases.
DMS A167 DMS Clinical Experience 2
- Units
- 5.5
- Hours
- 297 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A166.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Continuation of clinical experience. Exposure to departmental organization, patient flow, PACs, observation of techniques employed, policies and procedures of clinical cases, beginning hands on experience, and equipment set up.
DMS A255 Advanced Vascular Ultrasound
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 36 lecture hours; 27 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A155.
- Transfers to
- CSU
This is an advanced vascular course with laboratory exercises. It includes physiological arterial testing of the lower and upper extremities with pathological correlation.
DMS A271 DMS Clinical Experience 3
- Units
- 9
- Hours
- 486 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A167.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Clinical experience in ultrasound. Equipment handling and patient management. Departmental operation and scope.
DMS A274 Abdominal Sonography
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A165.
- Corequisite
- DMS A271.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Interpretation of normal and abnormal sonographic anatomy, comparing disease processes and identification of structures in sonographic images of the abdomen and superficial structures.
DMS A275 Sonographic Review
- Units
- 3
- Hours
- 54 lecture hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A274.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Review of advanced scanning techniques and other ultrasound topics including physics and instrumentation. Interpretation of normal and abnormal sonography.
DMS A276 DMS Clinical Experience 4
- Units
- 2.5
- Hours
- 135 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A271.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Intermediate clinical experience. Studies in the abdominal, obstetrical, pelvic, scrotal, thyroid and vascular anatomical areas. Variety of real-time equipment, anatomical pathology recognition.
DMS A281 DMS Clinical Experience 5
- Units
- 10
- Hours
- 540 lab hours
- Prerequisite
- DMS A276 or concurrent enrollment.
- Transfers to
- CSU
Advanced clinical experience in the ultrasound department practicing in a variety of Sonographic studies with emphasis on the abdomen and pelvis. Advanced recognition of pathology and scan interpretation.