Holyoke Community College

MTH130: Math That Matters: Drugs and Dosages

Instructor: Aaron Levin (alevin@hcc.mass.edu)

Office: FR362 (552 - 2439); SEM Division Office 552 - 2274)

Text: Dosage Calculations: A Workbook Approach to Mathematics for Veterinary Technicians by Aaron Levin and James Morgan, HCC Faculty.  This text is required, as is a scientific calculator – cell phone calculators are never permitted.

Course Description and Procedures

Intended for students in the Veterinary Technician program, or other individuals in the health professions who have the responsibility for the preparation and administration of medications.  Mathematical fundamentals will be covered along with systems of measurement and their equivalents, unit conversions, dosage measurement equipment, interpretation of the medication order, calculation of oral, parenteral and intravenous drug dosages, percentage preparations and dilution and concentration.  Prerequisite: MTH095 with a grade of C- or better or adequate score on the Mathematics Placement Exam.

Note: this course cannot be used for transfer credits in mathematics and does not carry the “D” designation assigned to other mathematics and/or Natural/Physical Sciences courses at HCC.

Instructional Objectives

At the completion of this course, the student will accurately:

· Use household, apothecary and metric units of measure and convert units within and between the systems

· Setup and solve medication calculations

· Translate medication and dosage abbreviations

· Calculate oral and parenteral dosages (in some cases using body surface area)

· Calculate intravenous dosages, drip rates and infusion times (in some cases requiring reconstitution)

· Perform calculations involving diluting solutions and concentrations

Teaching Procedures

This course is taught entirely online, in the distance-learning format currently in place here at HCC.  I am always happy to meet students in person, so if you find yourself on campus and wish to say hello, that would be swell.  You should expect to encounter the following instructional methods throughout this course:

· Reading assignments from the textbook

· Online discussion postings, e.g. instructor notes, worked-out exercises, essay questions and possible extra credit assignments

· Online exams

Course Topics

Module 1:  Arithmetic and Algebra Review – Math Does Matter

Module 2:  Oral and Topical Medications

Module 3:  Parenteral Dosages, Dilution and Concentration, and Body Surface Area

Module 4:  Intravenous Infusion Calculations

* If time permits, additional topics will be included.

Basis for Student Grading and Criteria/Evaluating Student Performance/Tentative Test Schedule

Exams: There will be a multiple-choice exam at the conclusion of each module, as well as a final exam at the conclusion of the semester.  In order to meet the prerequisite for Veterinary Pharmacology, you must obtain a grade of “A” in this course.  In order to obtain a grade of “A”, you must demonstrate at least 90% competency on all module exams as well as on the final exam.  Each module exam and the final exam consist of 20 multiple-choice questions.  Hence, you must answer at least 18 questions correctly on an exam in order to obtain an “A” grade on that exam.  Each student must complete the modules in their sequential order, i.e., you may not take the exam for module 2 unless you have successfully passed the exam for module 1, and so forth.  The deadlines to complete each module exam are posted under the “Calendar” icon of the WebCT page.

Each module exam has a time limit of 75 minutes and should be completed using your calculator, text and any additional notes you may find useful.  Each exam opens on a Thursday, and then closes as of midnight on the following Friday, hence there is only a 48-hour window to complete a particular module exam.  All module exams are graded the Saturday morning after the exam closes, so students have the opportunity to see if the minimum passing grade of 90% has been achieved.  If a student (or students) does not receive the minimum required score of 90% on their first attempt at a module exam, two more attempts are provided.  Note: you will see the complete list of exams under the “Module Exams” icon on the homepage for this course.

*** All exams are to be completed on an individual basis.  If there is any collaboration (or even suspected collaboration) between students on any exam, you will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the HCC policies on academic integrity. ***

Discussion Assignments: In the “Discussions” section of this course you will find a short essay assignment dealing with some aspect of drug and dosage calculations.  Each student must complete and post their response to each module essay assignment by the “Last Attempt” exam due date for that module.  A complete calendar of due dates will be provided with the syllabus at the start of the course.

Attendance and Make-Up Policies

Attendance Policy: This course is NOT self-paced. Exams and any additional graded assignments are due by dates indicated.  Students who anticipate being unable to participate in any portion of the class should contact the course instructor in advance. The failure of a student to log in and complete the required exams/assignments on time may result in the administration of the grade of AW (Academic Withdrawal).

Academic Integrity: Academic integrity is expected of all students. Any dishonesty in the performance of course work, such as plagiarism or cheating in other forms, will be reported. In the event the student is charged with some form of dishonesty, the Student Discipline Policy will be followed.  The full text of the Academic Integrity Policy and the additional Online Policy can be found at http://webtide.hccdl.org under Star 3.

Withdrawal:  Sometimes it is necessary for a student to withdraw from an online course.  If that should become necessary, please complete the withdrawal form found at http://webtide.hccdl.org under Star 3.

Make-Up Policies

· Module Exams

If a student either misses a module exam or does not obtain the required 90% competency on any module exam, the student will have two additional attempts to obtain the desired grade.  If the student still has not achieved the required 90% competency after the third attempt, an advising conference will need to be held to discuss the student’s progress.  If a student misses an exam, the student loses the opportunity to make-up the exam.

· Final Exam

If a student misses the final exam and is passing the course as of the date of the final, the student will receive a grade of I (Incomplete) and can arrange to make up the final at the start of the next semester.  If a student misses the final exam and is failing the course as of the date of the final, the student will receive an F for the course.

Disabilities

If you are a student with a physical and/or learning disability, and have the required documentation from the Office for Students with Disabilities, please let me know as soon as possible so I can make any necessary arrangements.