Summer I 2026
Basic Ultrasound Physics
Approved: TR/ May 2026 DMSO 1302 Basic Physics CREDIT 3 Semester Credit Hours (3 hours lecture) MODE OF INSTRUCTION Face to Face COURSE DESCRIPTION Foundations of acoustic physics and acoustic waves in human tissue. Emphasis on ultrasound transmission in soft tissues, attenuation of sound energy, parameters affecting sound transmission, and resolution of sound beams. COURSE OBJECTIVES • Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to o Describe the interaction of sound in soft tissues o Explain sound production and propagation o Summarize the basic principles and techniques of ultrasound INSTRUCTOR CONTACT INFORMATION Instructor: Tracy Ryals, RDMS, RVT Email: taryals@lit.eu Office Phone: 409-247-5130 Office Location: Gateway #115 Office Hours: Please see Starfish to schedule an appointment REQUIRED TEXTBOOK AND MATERIALS 1. Understanding Ultrasound Physics by Sidney K. Edelman, Ph.D 4th edition ISBN#0-9626444-5-5 www.esp-inc.com 2. Examination Review for Ultrasound: Sonographic Principles & Instrumentation by Tracy Fox, MS RT(R), RDMS, RVT, Steven Penny MA RT(R) RDMS ISBN #978-1975222109 3. Computer with webcam ATTENDANCE POLICY Students are expected to be in class unless prior arrangements have been made. Absences must be limited to serious illness and/or immediate family emergencies; unexcused absences are not allowed. Three (3) absences will result in a letter grade reduction. Excessive tardiness (more than 10 minutes/class or more than 2 consecutive classes) will result in an absence being awarded. The terminology excused or not excused absence does not apply to this class. All absences are equal. Therefore, no matter the circumstances involved in the student’s absence it will be counted towards the total for the semester. • The sign-in sheet will be taken up 15 minutes after class starts. If you are more than 15 minutes late for class, you will be absent. Also, if you leave the classroom for more than 15 minutes you will be counted absent. • When absent, the student is required to contact the instructor to notify them of the absence and obtain a make-up assignment for missed class. It is the student’s responsibility to make up lab assignments or a grade of zero will be given. It is extremely important that students always communicate with the faculty regarding absences by phone or email. COURSE CALENDAR *This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor at any time. DATE TOPIC READINGS (Due on this Date) ASSIGNMENTS (Due on this Date) 06 – 01 Syllabus Learning Style Analysis 06 – 03 Ch 1 The Basics Lecture Chapter 1 & PP 06 – 08 Ch 2 Sound Lecture Ch 3 Describing Sound Waves Chapter 2 & 3 PP 06 – 10 Ch 1-3 Worksheets/Review 06 – 15 Unit #1 Test Test #1 06 – 17 Review Test #1 Ch 4 Describing Pulsed Waves Lecture Chapter 4 & PP 06 – 22 Ch 5 Intensities Lecture Chapter 5 & PP 06 – 24 Ch 4 & 5 Worksheets/Review 06 – 29 Unit # 2 Test Test #2 07 – 01 Review Test #2 Ch 6 Interaction of Sound & Media Ch 7 Range Equation Lecture Chapter 6 & 7 PP 07 – 06 Ch 6 Interaction of Sound & Media Ch 7 Range Equation Lecture Chapter 6 & 7 PP 07 – 08 Ch 6-7 Worksheets/Review 07 – 13 Unit # 3 Test Unit 1 & 2 Parameters Review Due Test #3 07 – 15 Review Test #3 Ch 8 Transducers Lecture/Worksheets Chapter 8 & PP 07 – 20 Ch 9 Sound Beams Lecture/Worksheets Chapter 9 & PP 07 – 22 Ch 8 & 9 Review Transducer/Sound Beam Project Due 07 – 27 Unit #4 Test Test #4 DROP POLICY If you wish to drop a course, you are responsible for initiating and completing the drop process by the specified date as listed in the College Calendar on the Student Success web page. If you stop coming to class and fail to drop the course, you will earn an “F” in the course. COURSE EVALUATION Final grades will be calculated according to the following criteria: • Unit Exams 70% • Course Assignments 5% • Final Exam 25% GRADE SCALE • 93-100 A • 85-92 B • 77-84 C • 69-76 D • 0-68 F Course Outline A. LIT a. Policies b. Academic calendar c. Classroom policies B. The Basics a. Metric system b. Graphs C. Sound a. Sound waves b. Acoustic parameters i. Acoustic variables D. Describing Sound Waves a. Period b. Frequency c. Strength i. Intensity ii. Power iii. amplitude d. Wavelength 07 – 29 Review Test # 4 Ch 10 & 11 Lecture Chapter’s 10, 11 & PP 08 – 03 Ch 10 & 11 Worksheets/Review 08 – 05 Unit #5 Test Test #5 08 – 10 Review Test #5 Review for Final 08 – 12 Final Exam FINAL e. Propagation speed E. Describing Pulsed Waves a. Pulsed Ultrasound b. Pulse Duration c. Spatial Pulse Length d. Pulse Repetition Period e. Duty Factor F. Interaction of Sound and Media a. Decibels b. Attenuation c. Attenuation Coefficient d. Reflection and Transmission e. Impedance G. Range Equation a. Range equation i. Time of flight ii. Go return time iii. 13 microsecond rule H. Axial Resolution I. Transducers a. Basic transducer construction i. Types of transducers b. Transducer frequencies c. Sound beams i. Anatomy of a sound beam ii. Focused iii. Unfocused J. Sound beams i. Focal depth ii. Divergence b. Huygens’ principle i. Spherical waves TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS For the latest technical requirements, including hardware, compatible browsers, operating systems, etc., review the Minimum Computer and Equipment Requirements on the LIT Online Experience page. A functional broadband internet connection, such as DSL, cable, or WiFi is necessary to maximize the use of online technology and resources. DISABILITIES STATEMENT The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are federal anti-discrimination statutes that provide comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. LIT provides reasonable accommodations as defined in the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, to students with a diagnosed disability. The Special Populations Office is located in the Eagles’ Nest Room 129 and helps foster a supportive and inclusive educational environment by maintaining partnerships with faculty and staff, as well as promoting awareness among all members of the Lamar Institute of Technology community. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Special Populations Coordinator at (409)-951-5708 or email specialpopulations@lit.edu. You may also visit the online resource at Special Populations - Lamar Institute of Technology (lit.edu). STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT STATEMENT It is the responsibility of all registered Lamar Institute of Technology students to access, read, understand and abide by all published policies, regulations, and procedures listed in the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook. The LIT Catalog and Student Handbook may be accessed at www.lit.edu. Please note that the online version of the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook supersedes all other versions of the same document. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes the recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses. STARFISH LIT utilizes an early alert system called Starfish. Throughout the semester, you may receive emails from Starfish regarding your course grades, attendance, or academic performance. Faculty members record student attendance, raise flags and kudos to express concern or give praise, and you can make an appointment with faculty and staff all through the Starfish home page. You can also login to Blackboard or MyLIT and click on the Starfish link to view academic alerts and detailed information. It is the responsibility of the student to pay attention to these emails and information in Starfish and consider taking the recommended actions. Starfish is used to help you be a successful student at LIT. ADDITIONAL COURSE POLICIES/INFORMATION • No food, drinks, or tobacco products are allowed in class. • Cell phones and all electronic devices must be turned off during class. • Children are not permitted in class at any time. • Assignments are due at the beginning of class or by the date listed in the syllabus. o Late work will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. EXAM POLICIES & ONLINE TESTING RULES • Exams will be given in person on scheduled dates unless otherwise announced by the instructor. They will be given through Blackboard and will require Lockdown Browser • If an in-person exam is missed, a 10-point deduction will apply for each class day missed after the exam date. Students must make up the exam on the first day they return to class. If a student attends any sonography class on test day, the exam must be taken that day or a zero will be assigned. • For online exams, late submissions will lose 10 points for every hour late beginning at the due time. Exams not submitted by midnight on the due date will receive a zero. Academic Integrity • Possession or use of unauthorized devices during exams (cell phones, smart watches, earbuds, tablets, laptops, meta glasses, notes, etc.) is considered cheating unless specifically approved by the instructor. • Cheating on any lecture or lab exam results in immediate dismissal from the program and an F for the course. Online Exam Requirements (LockDown Browser & Webcam) • Exams will require LockDown Browser with webcam and screen monitoring. • Students must: o Test in a well-lit, private location o Sit with a mirror behind them showing the full computer screen during the entire exam o Always keep face and ears fully visible o Remove all phones, watches, notes, books, and papers from the testing area o Disable music, TV, and other background distractions o Remain in the testing area for the entire exam o Avoid reading questions aloud Point Deductions • 20-point deductions may be given for: o Poor lighting o Face or ears not fully visible o Screen/computer not visible in mirror during entire examination o Wearing hats, hoodies, earbuds, headphones, sunglasses, etc. o Reading questions aloud • Repeated violations may increase to a 50-point deduction. • 50-point deductions or a zero may result from: o Another person being seen or heard during the exam o Leaving the testing area during the exam o Having unauthorized materials visible during testing