UB, University at Buffalo, State University of New York

• Nuclear Medicine Technology - B.S.
• Course Descriptions
• Undergraduate Faculty Listings

You are here: Undergraduate Catalog 2005 - 2006 > Academic Programs > Nuclear Medicine Technology

Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences

School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
105 Parker Hall
South Campus
Buffalo, NY 14214-3007

Phone: 716.838.5889, ext. 115
Fax: 716.838.4918
Web: nucmed.buffalo.edu/nmt/

About the Program

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program (BS) is offered by the Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is supported in part by the Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Please direct inquiries to Elpida Crawford.

Nuclear medicine technology is a health-related profession concerned with use of radioactive materials for diagnostic, therapeutic, and research purposes. Nuclear medicine is one of the diagnostic imaging modalities. Although the scope of nuclear medicine technology is not limited to organ imaging, that is one of the major aspects of the work. It is a highly technical profession with a lot of patient interaction. The nuclear medicine technologist works very closely with the nuclear medicine physician. There is a big demand for well-trained nuclear medicine technologists. Jobs are available in hospitals, outpatient facilities and clinics, commercial equipment companies, and commercial radiopharmacies.

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program prepares students for entry-level positions as staff technologists. Each student receives a solid foundation in all nuclear medicine procedures. Students who complete the program are eligible to take national certification examinations in nuclear medicine technology.

Acceptance Information

Freshman Admission Policy. Students who enter the university as declared nuclear medicine technology majors are admitted into the program on a conditional basis. In the second semester of the sophomore year and by February 15, conditionally accepted students must submit a Promotion to Professional Program Request Form to have their academic records reviewed. Students are allowed to register for upper division nuclear medicine technology professional sequence courses if they (1) are making satisfactory progress towards the completion of all lower division math and science prerequisite courses, (2) attain a grade of C or better in all required math and science prerequisite courses completed at that time, and (3) attain a minimum math and science prerequisite GPA of 3.0.

General Admission. Students accepted into nuclear medicine technology as freshmen who do not meet the three conditions listed above, as well as students wishing to change their major, are considered for placement in the program through the regular admission process. All students with a minimum prerequisite course GPA of 2.5 are encouraged to apply. Applications are available in 105 Parker Hall, South Campus or by calling the program office at (716)-838-5889, ext. 115.

All students must complete all required prerequisite courses prior to the fall semester in which they start taking upper division NMT professional sequence courses.

Advisement

Students interested in nuclear medicine technology are encouraged to contact the program director early in their undergraduate career. It is strongly recommended that students visit a clinical nuclear medicine department prior to applying to the program.

Transfer Policy

Transfer students must be accepted by the university and meet the program admission criteria. Prerequisite courses taken at another school must be equivalent in content. Questions regarding prerequisite course equivalency should be directed to the program director.

Transfer applicants must complete their university application (which includes sending official transcripts of the fall semester work) prior to January 15.

Notable Program Features

The Nuclear Medicine Technology program utilizes the following sites for clinical training experience:

Buffalo Cardiology and Pulmonary Associates
Buffalo Medical Group
Erie County Medical Center
Kaleida Health's Buffalo General Hospital, Women's and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and Millard Fillmore Hospitals
Kenmore Mercy Hospital
Lockport Memorial Hospital
Mercy Hospital
Merhige's Cardiology Clinic
Mount Saint Mary's Hospital
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
St. Joseph Hospital
Sisters of Charity Hospital
VA Western New York Healthcare System
Williamsville Medical Imaging, PC

The Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, operates the Central Radiopharmaceutical Service, which provides radiopharmaceuticals to more than twenty-five nuclear medicine departments in the greater Buffalo area. This facility, located off campus on Aero Drive, is where program students obtain practical experience in radiopharmacy.

The university's Department of Nuclear Medicine also operates a positron emission tomography (PET) center together with the VA Western New York Healthcare System. PET, a unique aspect of nuclear medicine, is used for both research and diagnostic clinical studies. The PET center includes a large cyclotron facility for the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals located in Parker Hall, and three PET scanners: one at the VA, one at Millard Fillmore Hospital, and one at a medical office in Amherst. Two cardiology offices in Buffalo with PET scanners are also affiliated NMT program clinical training sites.