Course description
This is a one semester course for students in the Veterinary Technology Diploma program. This course reviews basic arithmetic and mathematical skills, including fractions, decimals, percentages, scientific notation, ratios, and proportion. This course also introduces and develops mathematical concepts that are used in Veterinary Technology courses, such as dimensional analysis, measurement systems, dosage calculations, solutions and dilutions, intravenous fluids, constant rate infusions, nutrition, and basic statistics.
Course content
- Fractions, decimals, percentages, and scientific notation
- Ratio, proportion, and dimensional analysis
- Measurement systems
- Dosage calculations
- Solutions, dilutions, and clinical applications
- Calculations for intravenous fluids and constant rate infusions
- Nutrition calculations
- Basic statistics and probability
Learning activities
Lectures, individual practice, and group discussions
Means of assessment
Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:
| Quizzes |
0-40% |
| Test(s) |
20-70% |
| Assignments |
0-5% |
| Attendance |
0-5% |
| Participation |
0-5% |
| Final examination |
30-40% |
| Total |
100% |
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- perform calculations involving fractions, decimals, percentages, and scientific notation;
- convert between fractions, decimals, percentages, and scientific notation;
- round values to a specified decimal place, fraction, or number of significant figures;
- set up and solve simple equations involving ratios and proportions;
- use conversion factors and dimensional analysis for unit conversion and dosage calculations;
- convert values within the metric system;
- convert values between the metric system and other measurement systems;
- perform dosage calculations for oral and parenteral medications;
- perform the calculations required to create single-ingredient solutions, mixed solutions, and weaker solutions from stock solutions;
- describe dilutions using ratios and dilution factors;
- perform the calculations required for serial dilutions;
- apply dilution calculations to clinical situations such as titres and blood cell counts;
- determine how to calculate flow and drip rates for intravenous solutions;
- perform the calculations required to operate fluid administration sets and intravenous pumps;
- define constant rate infusion, and determine rates of drug infusion;
- calculate the amount of drug to add to a set amount of intravenous fluid in order to match the rates of drug infusion and fluid administration;
- calculate an animal’s resting energy requirement and find energy requirements for other situations using a table of multipliers;
- accurately compare the nutritional content of dry and wet food;
- define and interpret reference ranges and explain their relationship to the normal curve.
Textbook materials
Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials. Example textbooks and materials may include:
Lake and Green. (Current Edition). Essential Calculations for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians. Elsevier.