SANTA BARBARA CITY COLLEGE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE

Department: Mathematics

Subject Area and Course Number: MATH 103

Course Title: Nursing and Allied Health Math

Discipline: Mathematics

Units: 3

Repeatability: None

Catalog Course Description: Designed for nursing and allied health professionals to focus on the math skills necessary to be successful in an allied health occupational area. After reviewing basic math skills and algebra concepts, students learn metric system conversions, and conversion among and between the metric, apothecary and household units of measure. The computational methods used in the preparation of oral medications, solutions, parenteral therapy and pediatric dosages are presented.

Description for Schedule of Classes: Designed for nursing and allied health professionals to focus on the math skills necessary to be successful in an allied health occupational area.

Lecture Hours per Week: 3.3

Laboratory Hours per Week: None

Plus hours: None

Prerequisites: Math 4, with a minimum grade of "C"

Co-Requisites: None

Skills Advisories: None

Course Advisories: None

Limitation on Enrollment: None

Course Objectives: By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1. Use basic arithmetic and algebra to solve problems;

2. Solve practical problems involving metric, apothecary and household units of measure;

3. Convert from one unit of measure to another between systems as well as within a given system of measurement.

4. Use a proportion to solve dosage calculation problems.

Course Content and Scope:

I. Review of Basic Math Skills

A. Whole Numbers

B. Fractions

C. Decimals

D. Percents

II. Algebra

A. Solving Equations and Inequalities

B. Graphing Linear Equations

C. Operations with Polynomials

III. Units and Measures

A. Metric Measurements

B. Apothecary and Household Measurements

C. Conversions and Equivalents

IV. Calculation of Drug Dosages

A. Oral Medications

B. Parenteral Medications

C. IV Medications

D. Pediatric and Geriatric Dosages

Methods of Instruction: Lecture is the primary activity in class with student problem solving. Students are also expected to work outside of class on assigned exercises, reading from the text and supplemental reading as determined by the instructor.

Required Assignments:

A. Appropriate Readings: Students are required to read assigned sections in text or supplements. Outside readings are generally not required.

B. Writing Assignments: Students must work assigned mathematical problems requiring the manipulation of abstract symbols.

C. Appropriate Outside Assignments: Students are expected to spend a sufficient amount of time outside of class to practice techniques presented during class time, read assigned materials, and complete frequent homework assignments.

D. Appropriate Assignments that Demonstrate Critical Thinking: Students must demonstrate mathematical skills which involve analyzing information, recognizing concepts in new contexts, and drawing analogies.

Methods of Evaluation: A student’s grade will be based on multiple measures of performance in the solving of problems. Such measures may include at least three exams and a comprehensive final examination requiring demonstration of problem-solving skills. In addition, instructors may make use of quizzes, written homework assignments, or other appropriate means to judge a student’s dexterity with basic math and algebra skills, and ability to solve practical problems in nursing and allied health areas. Calculator (or computer use) is incorporated in the courses.

Appropriate Texts and Supplies:

Dosage Calculations by G. Pickar, 8^th edition, Thomson Delmar Publishing, 2008 (or similar text)

PG/mej

Approved September 24, 2007

FRC (10/17/07 gb)