MATH 1141 Introduction to Dosage Calculations Syllabus H01 Spring 2026

Credit Hours 1.00 Lecture Hours 1 Clinical/Lab Hours 0
Type of Credit
CIP Code
27.0301
Course Meeting Time

T and Th -11am

Course Description

This is designed as a refresher course to help prepare first year registered nursing students for the mathematics competency test taken in RNUR 1129. Topics include systems of measurement, use of formulas, dimensional analysis, solutions, and dosage calculations.

Prerequisites

RNUR 1106 - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

General Education Outcomes

General Education Outcomes are the knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and behaviors that students are expected to develop as a result of their overall experiences with any aspect of the college, including courses, programs, and student services, both inside and outside of the classroom. The General Education Outcomes specifically learned in this course are:

  1. Critical Thinking
Explanation of Course Alignment

Catalog description (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisites: RNUR 1106 - Must be taken either prior or at the same time as this course. This is designed as a refresher course to help prepare first year registered nursing students for the mathematics competency test taken in RNUR 1129. Topics include systems of measurement, use of formulas, dimensional analysis, solutions, and dosage calculations.

Faculty Contact Information

Faculty Name
Jonathon Cohen
Faculty Email
Faculty Phone
815-802-8776
Faculty Office Number
R203
Faculty Student Support Hours

Prior to class and by appointment. 

Faculty Information

Dr. Jonathon P. Cohen 815-802-8776 jcohen@kcc.edu LAS

Course Information

Course Outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify symbols and interpret measures in the metric, apothecary and household systems.
  2. Convert between units of measurement within the same system.
  3. Convert units of measurement from one system to another.
  4. Calculate drug dosages using the dimensional analysis method.
  5. Calculate drug dosages using the formula method (D/H x Q = X).
  6. Calculate oral and parenteral doseforms, insulin, and pediatric dosage.
Topical Outline
  1. Systems of measurement; Unit conversions
  2. Oral Dosage Calculations; Parenteral Dosage
  3. Reconstitution of solutions; Reconstitution of non-injectable solutions
  4. Pediatric and adult dosages based on body weight
  5. Intravenous solution calculations; Volume-Flow Rate calculations
Textbook/s and Course Materials

Calculations of Drug Dosages, 12th ed. By Ogden, published by Elvsevier

Methods of Evaluation

Goals and Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the successful student will:
1. Identify symbols and interpret measures in the metric, apothecary and household systems.
2. Convert between units of measurement within the same system.
3. Convert units of measurement from one system to another.
4. Calculate drug dosages using the dimensional analysis method.
5. Calculate drug dosages using the formula method (D/H x Q = X).
6. Calculate oral and parenteral doseforms, insulin, and pediatric dosage.

Academic Division

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Dean, Jennifer Huggins; 815-802-8484; R310; jhuggins@kcc.edu; Division Office- W102; 815-802-8700

Course Policies

Expectations:
-Come to class on time.
-Be attentive and engaged in class.
-Refrain from using laptops, cell phones and other electronic devices during class.
-Monitor grades and communication in Canvas.
-Seek help when appropriate.
-Contact instructor by email and/or voicemail as soon as possible if you’re having problems with the course or encounter an emergency that interferes with your course work.
 

Make-up Work: Late homework is not accepted under any circumstances. Although, one homework assignment will be dropped. If you know that you are going to miss a test, contact the instructor prior to the exam to make arrangements to take the test. If you are absent on the day of a test you must notify the instructor ASAP to make alternate arrangements for taking the exam. Makeup exams will be at the discretion of the instructor. Notifying the instructor is not a guarantee that a makeup exam will be allowed. Only one makeup test will be allowed per student during the course and must be done within one week of the original test date. After this, that student may make up no further tests. An exam is considered a makeup if it is not taken during the scheduled exam period.
 

Calculator Usage Policy: The calculator will be provided by the instructor and is the only one allowed in use during class.
 

**Cell phones: Please turn off all electronic devices prior to the start of class / lab to prevent class disruption.
**Pencil (#2) pencil must be used on all exams. None will be provided.
**Audio recordings: Students may make audio recordings of lecture and or lab for their own personal use while enrolled in this class. However, the student may not share and or distribute these recordings without the expressed written consent of the instructor.

Expectations for Classroom and Online Behavior

Communication: You will be expected to log into Canvas at least three times per week to stay current with class announcements. If you need to contact me, please do so via email. My email address is jcohen@kcc.edu, you can plan on a response from me within 24 hours during the week and 48 hours on the weekend.

Course Calendar

Week 1 Systems of Measurement; Unit conversions 1 Chapters 6 and 7
Week 2 Oral Dosage Calculations; Parenteral Dosage; 2 Chapters 11-13
Week 3 Calculating Dosage in Problems with units and per Kg; EXAM 1
Week 4 Reconstitution of Solutions and Non-Injectable Solutions 3 Chapter 14
Week 5 Pediatric and Adult Dosages Based on Body Weight 4 Chapter 18
Week 6 EXAM 2
Week 7 IV Solution Calculations; Volume Flow Rate Calculations 5 Chapter 15
Week 8 FINAL EXAM

College Policies, Resources and Supports

College Policies

For information related to the Student Code of Conduct Policy, Withdrawal Policy, Email Policy, and Non- Attendance/Non-Participation Policy, please review the college’s Code of Campus Affairs and Regulations webpage, which can be found at catalog.kcc.edu under the Academic Regulations & Conduct Guide. 

Resources

KCC offers various academic and personal resources for all students. Many services are offered virtually, as well as in person. Please visit Student Resources - Kankakee Community College to access student resources services such as:

  • Clubs and organizations
  • Counseling and referral services
  • Office of disability services
  • Student complaint policy
  • Transfer services
  • Tutoring services, etc.