Radiology, according to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, is a medical branch dealing with X-rays and radioactive materials in order to help diagnose and treat specific diseases. As of 2010, Medical Association statistics show that only 1.2 percent of all doctors and physicians specialize in radiology, so there is a need for radiologists in the medical field. Becoming a radiologist involves rigorous coursework from an accredited medical school and graduating with an MD in radiology. Although hard, once the coursework and residency is complete, a career in radiology can be very rewarding.
Finding A College
Find a university that offers a pre-med degree program with a radiology specialization. Schools like Duke University, Indiana University and Keiser University offer accredited radiology degrees. Education Center Online and A2Z Colleges provide a full list of accredited colleges and universities offering radiology degree programs.
Core classes
Be aware that classes geared toward radiology cannot be taken until senior year, as a student must pass his core classes in excellent standing--a B+ or higher--at the university. Core classes include chemistry, biology and calculus as well as gross and microscopic anatomy.
Radiology classes
Radiology courses during your senior year include Radiographic Fundamentals, Anatomy and Physiology, Procedures in Radiology, Radiologic Imaging, Radiology Exposure and Protection and Health Care Ethics and Law. Each of these classes teaches a different aspect of the radiology field and should not be taken lightly, as you need to be in excellent standing in these classes to graduate and move into your internship and residency.
Radiographic Fundamentals
Take Radiographic Fundamentals as one of your first radiology-geared classes. This course offers on overview of what your job will be as a radiologist. The class teaches you procedures on X-ray imaging, radiation protection and help patients.
Anatomy and Physiology
Attend Anatomy and Physiology, a basic course discussing systems in the human body, in order to learn label bones and muscles. This class will help you learn about the skeletal, muscular, skin and respiratory systems and how they function in the body. This class also teaches you about how radiology is used to detect diseases in these systems.
Procedures in Radiology
Take the Procedures in Radiology course anytime during any stage of your radiology schooling. This course is a clinical lab where you learn produce radiographical images, patient positioning and evaluate radiographs.
Radiologic Imaging
Take Radiologic Imaging in order to get hands-on radiology learning. You will learn about image exposure, magnify images, digital tomography and radiography and read images to determine ailments. This class will give you the opportunity to analyze images and discuss different diseases.
Radiology Exposure and Protection
Register for Radiology Exposure and Protection in order to learn the components of the radiology machine and protect yourself and your patients from radiation exposure. Through this class, you will learn about radiographic image quality as well as state and federal regulations in health and safety.
Health Care Ethics and Law
Take Health Care Ethics and Law in order to learn the health care and radiological laws and ethics. During this class, you will learn collect information from patients and patient confidentiality. You will also learn about the practice scopes, tasks and procedures of a radiology technician.
Class Completion
Complete the aforementioned classes. After their completion, you can head into your residency to practice and get hands-on preparation and on-the-job training for your career as a radiology technician.
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