Course Form (revised 7-2008)
I. Summary of Proposed Changes
Dept / Program
Prefix and Course #
UM COT Health Professions
NUR 105
Course Title
Medication Calculation for Health Professions
Short Title (max. 26 characters incl. spaces)
Summarize the change(s) proposed
New course. Will be an elective prerequisite for
students interested in health care professions to
better prepare them to calculation doses for
medication administration
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
Date
Requestor:
Mary Nielsen (Nursing)
Phone/ email :
Ext. 7875
mary.nielsen@umontana.edu
Program Chair/Director:
Anne Delaney (Radiology
Technology) Ext. 7809
Anne.delaney@umontana.edu
Affected other programs
Mary McHugh (Pharmacology
Technology) Ext. 7813
Mary.mchugh@umontana.edu
Nick Author (Respiratory
Technology)
Ext. 7836
Nick.author@umontana.edu
Debbie Fillmore (Surgical
Technology) Ext. 7860
Debbie.fillmore@umontana.edu
Dean:
Lynn Stocking
Ext. 7801
Lynn.stocking@umontana.edu
III: To Add a New Course Syllabus and assessment information is required (paste syllabus into
section V or attach). Course should have internal coherence and clear focus.
NO
Common Course Numbering Review: Does an equivalent course exist elsewhere YES
in the MUS? Do the proposed abbreviation, number, title and credits align with
existing course(s)? Please indicate equivalent course/campus 
http://msudw.msu.montana.edu:9030/wfez/owa/musxfer.p_CCN_MAIN
X
Exact entry to appear in the next catalog (Specify course abbreviation, level, number, title, credits,
repeatability (if applicable), frequency of offering, prerequisites, and a brief description.) 
NUR 105 Medication Calculations for Health Professions, 2 credit elective offered Spring and Fall
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITE: M121 College Algebra
This course will prepare students for the calculations used in health care professions. Students will review
various systems of weights and measures (metric, apothecary, and household), conversions between these
systems, ratio/proportions, dosage calculations, percentage preparations, reducing and enlarging formulas,
dilution, concentration, allegation, and intravenous flow rates.
Justification: How does the course fit with the existing curriculum? Why is it needed?
The most advanced therapeutic medication is of no value unless it is administered accurately. Those that
administer the medication must be sufficiently schooled and skilled to calculate the dosage of all
medications. A great number of patient injuries are caused by incorrect drug calculations. UM COT Health
Professions would like to help prevent these types of injuries by better preparing students in the area of
correct medication dosage and calculations. Due to the transfer initiative, some Health Professions
Programs have had course curriculum changes and credit caps that have decreased the time spent in some
areas of health care. Dosage calculation is one of these areas. This elective is an introduction to the
important concept of dosage calculation and medication administration for the student interested in health
care professions. It will better prepare students for the core material of their chosen health care program.
Are there curricular adjustments to accommodate teaching this course?
No
Complete for UG courses. (UG courses should be assigned a 400 number).
Describe graduate increment (Reference guidelines: http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm)
NA
Fees may be requested only for courses meeting specific conditions determined by the
YES
NO
Board of Regents. Please indicate whether this course will be considered for a fee.
X
If YES, what is the proposed amount of the fee?
Justification:
IV. To Delete or Change an Existing Course – check X all that apply
Deletion
Title
Course Number
From:
Level U, UG, G
Change
To:
Description Change
Change in Credits
From:
To:
Prerequisites
1. Current course information at it appears in catalog
(http://www.umt.edu/catalog) 
From:
To:
Repeatability
Cross Listing
(primary program
initiates form)
Is there a fee associated with the course?
2. Full and exact entry (as proposed) 
3. If cross-listed course: secondary program & course
number
4. Is this a course with MUS Common Course Numbering? If yes, then will this change eliminate the
courses common course status? Please explain below.
5. Graduate increment if level of course is changed to UG.
Reference guidelines at:
http://www.umt.edu/facultysenate/Grad/UG.htm
(syllabus required in section V)
Have you reviewed the graduate increment
guidelines? Please check (X) space provided.
6. Other programs affected by the change
7. Justification for proposed change
V. Syllabus/Assessment Information
Required for new courses and course change from U to UG. Paste syllabus in field below or attach and send
digital copy with form.
Syllabi attached
VI Department Summary (Required if several forms are submitted) In a separate document list course
number, title, and proposed change for all proposals.
VII Copies and Electronic Submission. After approval, submit original, one copy, summary of
proposals and electronic file to the Faculty Senate Office, UH 221, camie.foos@mso.umt.edu.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA-MISSOUA
COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCITON TO DOSAGE AND CALCULATION FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE: Introduction to Dosage and Calculation for Health Professions
DATE REVISED: 09/2009
SEMESTER CREDITS: 2
CONTACT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
30 lecture hours
PREREQUISITES/COREQUISITE: M121 College Algebra
Faculty:
TBA
E-Mail:
Phone:
Office:
Office Hours:
Course Description:
This course is intended to provide the student the theory and psychomotor skills to correctly and safely calculate
medications to clients in diverse health care settings. It will prepare students for the calculations used in health
care professions. Students will review various systems of weights and measures (metric, apothecary, and
household), conversions between these systems, ratio/proportions, dosage calculations, percentage preparations,
reducing and enlarging formulas, dilution, concentration, allegation, and intravenous flow rates.
Relationship to program(s):
It is imperative that health care students have solid math skills in order to perform the functions necessary for safe
medication dosage preparation and administration. This course will prepare students with the necessary math skills
to perform the functions required in calculating and preparing medications for safe administration to patients
across the various health care professions.
STUDENT PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Calculate and complete basic math skills in roman numerals, fractions, decimals, ratios, and percentages.

Convert apothecary, metric or household weights and measures to its equivalent; e.g.
apothecary to metric or household.

Calculate dosages based on weight of client

Examine and interpret weight and measure equivalents to correctly solve oral and parenteral dosage
problems.

Identify and describe use of a variety of dosage calculation methods and formulas for safe medication
administration.

Identify the variety of methods of medication administration. This includes oral medications, liquid, tablet,
capsule, caplet, topical, injectable, and intravenous.

Introduction to safety reduction of medication errors in the pediatric and adult client.

Calculate IV drip rates through demonstration using a variety of drip size administration sets.
Text: TBA
Supplies: A simple calculator