Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences

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Purpose and Focus

The Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences educates students in the applied, interdisciplinary sciences of radiation protection and medical imaging. All degree programs in the department have a strong foundation in mathematics and the physical and life sciences. Graduates of the programs are prepared for entry-level employment as radiation safety, clinical laboratory, or medical imaging professionals. Graduates also meet many of the prerequisites for advanced graduate or professional studies.

Accreditation

Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Educational Programs
Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities 

Undergraduate Majors

Comprehensive Medical Imaging
Health Physics
Nuclear Medicine
Radiologic Sciences

Certification and Licensure Programs

Graduates of the B.S. in Nuclear Medicine are eligible to write both the ARRT (American Registry of Radiological Technologists) and NMTCB (Nuclear Medicine Technologists Certification Board) national registries in nuclear medicine. Graduates of the B.S. in Comprehensive Medical Imaging are eligible to take the ARRT (American Registry of Radiological Technologists) national registry in magnetic resonance imaging, provided they are certified in radiography or nuclear medicine. Graduates may take the national registry in computed tomography only if they are certified in radiography.

Admission to the Major

Minimum GPA: 3.00 entering freshmen; 2.75 transfer and UNLV students with a minimum of 30 credits

Admission Policies

Admission to the university does not guarantee admission to academic programs within the health physics department.

Students must fulfill the following admission requirements: a cumulative high school GPA of 3.00 or above or a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above in 30 credits taken at UNLV or accepted in transfer by the university. Normally, the last 30 credits establish the GPA.

Applicants not meeting these requirements may be admitted on a probationary status. Students admitted on probation must complete 30 credits in the specified program and/or university- required courses at UNLV, with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or above in order to remain in the program. Previous course work will be evaluated for adequacy.

Students in the B.S. in Comprehensive Medical Imaging must have also successfully completed a nationally accredited radiography program of study prior to admission into the CT/MRI track of the program. Students not meeting this admission requirement may be admitted into the degree program on a case-by-case basis with approval from the department chair.

Applicants for the B.S. in Nuclear Medicine program must fulfill the following admission requirements: a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.00 or a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher in 60 credits taken at UNLV or accepted in transfer by the university and submission of a program application by noon on the last Friday in February for possible entrance the following fall. Completion of the above does not guarantee acceptance to the program as admission is limited. 

Transfer Policies

Transfer students need a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above in credits accepted for transfer by the university for admission into the CMI, HPS or NUC programs. Previous course work will be evaluated for adequacy.
Students in the B.S. in Comprehensive Medical Imaging must have also successfully completed a nationally accredited radiography program of study prior to admission into the CT/MRI track of the program. 

Department Policies

Progression Requirements

Students must:

1. Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher each semester enrolled and have no negative grade point averages,
2. Receive a grade of C or better in all required RAD, HPS, CMI, or NUC courses,
3. Not register for the same RAD, HPS, CMI, or NUC course more than two times (except HPS 411, CMI 490, RAD 490, and CMI 485).
4. Students who have successfully completed a nationally accredited radiography program prior to their admission to the CT/MRI track of Comprehensive Medical Imaging degree program must pass a national registry in radiography prior to graduation.
5. Student progression into RAD, CMI, and NUC clinical course work may be limited based upon the availability of clinical sites.
6. Additional policies for each program are published in the appropriate program policy manual.
7. All students accepted to a clinical program must be able to pass a national background check and a drug screening test.

Advisement

Each student is assigned an academic advisor from the Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences faculty. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the advisor periodically, at least once each semester. The advisor will assist and advise the student in course selection and progression in program advancement. 

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