Course

Mathematics for Veterinary Technology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Mathematics
Course code
MATH 1183
Credits
2.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Typically offered
Fall

Overview

Course description
This is a one semester course for students in Veterinary Technology. Topics covered include: calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages, scientific notation, ratio and proportion, dimensional analysis, clinical applications, measurement systems, dosage calculations for oral and parenteral medication, calculations for creating solutions such as intravenous fluids, constant rate infusions and dilutions with applications in anaesthesia, radiology and nutrition.
Course content
  1. Fractions, decimals, percentages and scientific notation.
  2. Ratio and proportion – dimensional analysis.
  3. Measurement systems.
  4. Dosage applications and creation of solutions.
  5. Intravenous fluid calculations
  6. Clinical applications using dilutions
  7. Anaesthesia, radiology and nutrition applications.
Learning activities

Lecture/Tutorial

Means of assessment

Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy.  The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester.  Evaluation will be based upon some of the following:

Weekly tests 0-40%
Term tests 20-70%
Assignments 0-5%
Attendance 0-5%
Class participation 0-5%
Final examination 30%
Learning outcomes

At the end of this course, the successful student will have reviewed and strengthened their arithmetic and mathematical skills and have a level of mathematical proficiency which will allow them to continue to take courses in the VTEC degree program.

Upon completion of this course, the successful student should be able to:

  • perform calculations involving fractions, decimals and percentages
  • convert between fractions, decimals and percentages
  • perform  calculations involving the use of scientific notation
  • work with ratios and proportions
  • use conversion factors and dimensional analysis
  • convert values within the metric system
  • convert values from other measurement systems to the metric system
  • perform dosage calculations for oral and parenteral medications
  • work with percent calculations to create proper medication solutions based upon concentration of drug and  animal weight
  • perform the calculations required to create single-ingredient solutions, mixed solutions and weaker solutions from stock solutions
  • solve clinical problems involving calculations of solutions
  • calculate rates of fluid administration for intravenous administration
  • determine how to calculate flow and drip rates for intravenous solutions and understand the mathematics required to operate fluid administration sets and intravenous pumps
  • define constant rate infusion and be able to determine rates of drug infusion as well as the amount of drug to add to fluids
  • determine the final concentration in a dilution
  • perform the calculations required for both dilution series and serial dilutions
  • calculate anaesthesia gas flow rates
  • calculate nutritional requirements
  • perform calculations required for radiology
Textbook materials

Textbook will vary by semester, see College Bookstore for current textbook.  Example:

Lake and Green, Essential Calculations for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians, current edition, Elsevier.

 

Requisites

Prerequisites

Admission to program

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers to Other Institutions

Below are current transfer agreements from Douglas College to other institutions for the current course guidelines only. For a full list of transfer details and archived courses, please see the BC Transfer Guide.

Institution Transfer details for MATH 1183
Langara College (LANG) LANG MATH 1XXX (2)

Course Offerings

Fall 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
29
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2050
Times:
Start Time
8:30
-
End Time
10:20
Section notes

MATH 1183 001 is restricted to VTEC students. Open lab as per posted schedule. The tentative schedule is available at: https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/explore-programs-courses…