The program begins with two semesters of didactic and laboratory courses to prepare students for the following year of clinical experience courses. Clinical instructors provide one-on-one training where students participate in pediatric and adult open-heart operations and other procedures requiring the perfusionist's expertise.

The didactic and clinical faculty include perfusionists, cardiothoracic surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other experienced lecturers. Computers, research, management, and on-call aspects of perfusion education are integral parts of the University of Iowa Perfusion Education Program.

The Perfusion Education Program began here in 1992 and is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs. Students are awarded a certificate upon completion of the Perfusion Education curriculum, making them eligible to take the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion Certification Exam.

SemesterHoursCourse NumberCourse Name
Fall (first year)4PERF 4161Instrumentation in Perfusion
 2PERF 4174Cardiovascular Anatomy for Perfusion
 2PERF 4162Pathophysiology for Perfusion I
 2PERF 4172Pharmacology for Perfusion I
 2PERF 4169Clinical Experience I
 1PERF 4167Perfusion Seminar I
 1PERF 4168Research in Perfusion I
Spring (first year)4PERF 4170Principles and Practice of Perfusion
 2PERF 4171Devices in Perfusion
 2PERF 4162Pathophysiology for Perfusion II
 2PERF 4173Pharmacology for Perfusion II
 2PERF 4169Clinical Experience II
 1PERF 4167Perfusion Seminar II
 1PERF 4168Research in Perfusion II
Summer (first year)12PERF 4169Clinical Experience III
 1PERF 4167Perfusion Seminar III
 1PERF 4168Research in Perfusion III
Fall (second year)12PERF 4169Clinical Experience IV
 1PERF 4167Perfusion Seminar IV
 1PERF 4168Research in Perfusion IV
Spring (second year)12PERF 4169Clinical Experience V
 1PERF 4167Perfusion Seminar V
 1PERF 4168Research in Perfusion V