Academic Catalogs

CVT A190: Introduction to Sonography and Imaging Physics

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Eff Term Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date 11/12/2025
Top Code 121300 - Cardiovascular Technician (CTE)
Units 3 Total Units (Lecture Units 2.5;  Lab/Other Units 0.5)
Hours 72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 45; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours 90
Total Student Learning Hours 162
Course Credit Status Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee No
Basic Skills Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable No
Open Entry/Open Exit No
Grading Policy Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Introduction to ultrasound physics & instrumentation for cardiac ultrasound, visualized on 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging. PREREQUISITE: CVT A160. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. The student will identify the basic principles of image production in sonographic physics in cardiovascular imaging.

Course Objectives

  • Identify instrument adjustments to acquire a 2- dimensional cardiac image with sonography.
  • Correlate the physics of sonographic and instrumentation with image production in cardiac and vascular imaging.
  • Discuss basic principles of sonographic physics and image production.
  • Integrate cardiac anatomy with sonographic anatomy.
  • Demonstrate basic understanding of image acquisition of cardiac anatomy sonographically.
  • Identify basic principles of sonographic physics and image production.
  • Identify and acquire ultrasound images using the basic principles of physics for cardiovascular imaging

Lecture Content

Course introduction:

  1. Sonography, ultrasound physics and instrumentation.
  2. Review of heart and vessel anatomy
  3. Review of the pathological process for the heart and blood vessels
  4. Ultrasound physics and instrumentation terminology for image production
  5. Ultrasound physics and instrumentation relating to normal cardiac and blood vessel structures.
  6. Cardiac anatomy terminology for 2- dimensional images.
  7. Cerebral Vascular terminology for 2- dimensional images.
  8. Imaging portfolio construction of normal and pathological processes found in the heart and blood vessels.
  9. Introduction to the equipment operations, patient positioning, and the foundational knowledge for cardiac ultrasound scanning

Lab Content

Students will apply lecture material in the laboratory for scanning of the cardiac anatomy. 

  1. Equipment
    1. power up/power down
    2. select correct transducer
    3. select appropriate settings for patient
    4. adjust machine settings for exam type
      1. gain
      2. TGC
      3. Depth 
      4. orientation 
      5. Doppler
  2. Patient preparation
    1. place patient in correct postion
    2. left lateral decubitus
    3. drape patient according to exam type
    4. use warm gel and correct amount for exam
    5. brief patient history
  3. scan planes
    1. longitudinal 
    2. short
    3. views
  4. anatomy
    1. valves
    2. chambers
    3. structures 
  5. sonographic terminology related to physics and normal structures

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
  • Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

Lecture Demonstrations Hands-on instrumentation manipulation

Reading Assignments

Students will spend approximately 2 hours per week on reading assignments, including the following: Read assigned chapters from course text. Read and review course subject terminology Read and review course handouts.

Writing Assignments

Students will spend approximately 2 hours per week on written assignments, including: Complete weekly terminology assignments. Write weekly progress evaluations. Written discussion regarding the image acquisitions

Out-of-class Assignments

Students will spend approximately 3-4 hours per week on reading and written assignments, and out-of-class assignments including: Search and read internet articles related to ultrasound physics instrumentation. Review required images. Review course materials for course test and examinations.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

90

Methods of Student Evaluation

  • Midterm Exam
  • Final Exam
  • Short Quizzes
  • Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Identify anatomical cardiovascular structures from printed examples. Identify instrumentation adjustments needed to produce anatomical images. Correlate image production to diagnostic image quality.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Compile written evaluations of instrumentation adjustments for optimal imaging. Self-evlauation and reflection.

Resources Subscreen

  • Textbook: Edelman,S.K. Understanding Ultrasound Physics. Woodlands:ESP,Inc (2012).

Eligible Discipline(s)

  • Cardiovascular technology: Any bachelor’s degree and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience.