Students will be logging in to the class virtually each class day.  It is required for cameras to be turned on during class to document attendance and participation in the course. 

The material in this course is divided into a lecture portion and a dosage calculation portion. 

Dosage calculation requires the student to pass two out of four available dosage calculation examinations with an 80% or better.  The dosage calculation exams must be completed by designated deadlines throughout the semester.  All dosage exams are taken through DE Proctoring or other approved proctoring service.

The lecture portion of the course is divided into 6 units.  Each unit requires the student to take an examination and to complete out of class homework assignment(s).  Examinations for the lecture portion of the course are taken through DE Proctoring or other approved proctoring service.

The assignments consist of homework, case studies, quizzes, and assimilation of information learned in the lectures.  There will be one required exam for each unit of information.

An optional comprehensive makeup examination is offered for students wishing to replace a missed exam score or to replace a low exam score.

Technology and testing requirements for HPRS courses

Students will need a reliable internet connection, a PC or MAC, Chromebook, tablet, or a laptop to review portions of the course.  Testing will be held through DE Proctoring according to the dates specified in the course schedule.  Testing requirements are listed in the Syllabus Addendum posted on Blackboard.

Resource for Students:

The following website is a comprehensive source of information for students who need academic, personal, or technological support. Please review the link below: https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED

The textbook provided to you is an e-textbook version of "Pharmacology: An Introduction" by Henry Hitner.  This textbook is a special edition book specific to Austin Community College.  This custom text also includes 2 chapters on Basic Math and a Dosage Calculations section which will help prepare you for the Dosage Calculation Exams.  The electronic textbook was provided to you as part of the course fee's... you may choose to purchase a hard copy of the textbook from the bookstore at a much discounted rate as long as you have access to the electronic textbook.  If you choose to "Opt-Out" of the electronic textbook, you will pay full purchase price for a hard copy edition of the textbook and dosage packet.  

This e-textbook is the ONLY text for the main components of the course, previous textbooks will not be used.  Do not purchase a Used version of this text, key information regarding Dosage Calculations were updated.  

OTHER

Ability to access Blackboard at: https://acconline.austincc.edu/webapps/portal/framset.jsp. 

Students will also be required to have Internet access for retrieving grades, announcements, lectures, homework, quizzes, exams, and other important information on Blackboard.  

Your class schedule will contain detailed and updated information about lectures and textbook chapters.  For all chapters listed, refer to the required Hitner textbook.

Unit 1 - Text:  Chapters 1-3, Course notes

Orientation, syllabus, abbreviations, equivalents, Introduction to Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical terms, Drug Nomenclature, System of Measurement, Interpreting orders

Lecture 1 Introduction to Pharmacology

Lecture 2 Legislation and Marketing, Dosage and Time Response curve

Lecture 3 and Practice Dosage Calculations 

Lecture 4 Drug Forms and Routes of Administration                                                                     

Lecture 5 Pharmacokinetics (ADME), Pharmaceutical Terms

Out of class assignments

EXAM #1 

Unit 2 - Text:  Chapters 5-9 and 31-32, Course notes

Lecture 1 Autonomic Nervous System/ANS 1

Lecture 2 ANS Part 2

Lecture 3 Somatic Nervous System

Lecture 4 Respiratory and Allergy Drugs

Out of class assignments and Case Study due

EXAM #2

Unit 3 - Text:  Chapters 41-46, Course notes

Lecture 1 Antibiotics-Part 1

Lecture 2 Antibiotics (continued)-Part 2

Lecture 3 Anti-neoplastics

Out of class assignments and Case Study due

EXAM #3

Unit 4 - Text:  Chapters 21-27 and Chapter 29-30, Course notes

Lecture 1 Cardiovascular, Part 1 Overview and CHF

Lecture 2 Cardiovascular Diseases, Part 2

Lecture 3 Hypertension and Drug Therapy- Kidney Anatomy

Listen to Podcast on Tekturna®

Lecture 4 Antiarrhythmics and Blood Drug Therapy, Anemia

Lecture 5 Anti-hyperlipidemia Drug Therapy

Review Cardiovascular System Medications/Case Study

Out of class assignments and Case Study due

EXAM #4

Unit 5 - Text:  Chapters 11-14 and 16-20 Course notes

Lecture 1 Intro to CNS (Depression/Bipolar Disorder)

Lecture 2 Anti-psychotics/Parkinson’s Disease Drug Therapy

Lecture 3 Sedative-hypnotics, Anti-Anxiety Drug Therapy

Lecture 4 Seizures, Epilepsy and AEDs

Lecture 5 Pain, Inflammation, Gout and Drug Therapy

Out of class assignments due

EXAM #5 

Unit 6 - Text:  Chapters 33-40, Course notes

Lecture 1 Diabetes and Drug Therapy, Part 1

Lecture 2 Diabetes, Part 2

Lecture 3 Intro. to Endocrine System; Steroid Drug Therapy and Fosamax®

Lecture 4 Thyroid Disease

Read powerpoint notes on Fosamax®

Lecture 5 Sex Hormones Drug Therapy

Lecture 6 GI tract Meds and Peptic Ulcer Disease Therapy

Out of class assignments due

EXAM #6 

Optional comprehensive make-up exam over entire course for those students that missed one exam or made a low grade on one Exam.

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

1. Define the basic terminology associated with Pharmacology.
2. Define the legislative laws regulating Pharmacology.
3. Interpret the use of common pharmacological equivalents and abbreviations.
4. Compute basic and advanced dosage calculation problems.
5. Describe normal physiological conditions within the body.
6. Describe the pathophysiology of certain disease processes.
7. Discuss the mechanism of action of major classifications of drugs and drug examples.
8. State the uses of major drug classifications and drug examples in treating certain disease processes.
9. State the side effects associated with each major classification of drugs and drug examples.
10. Discuss appropriate patient teaching in regards to specific drug therapy classifications.
11. Apply the drug therapy information used to treat certain disease processes