Faculty Syllabus

HPRS-2300 Pharmacology for Health Professions


Tammie Petersen


Credit Summer 2026


Section(s)

HPRS-2300-006 (14307)
LEC DIL ONL DIL

LAB DIL ONL DIL

Course Requirements

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 using an instructor-approved proctoring system.

The lecture portion of the course is divided into 6 units.  Each unit requires the student to take an examination and to complete one or more out of class assignments. The out of class assignments consist of case studies, drug investigation, graded homework/assignments, and other application of information learned in the narrated lectures or class lectures/activities. Graded work may include homework, quizzes, and six unit exams/summative assessments. 

An optional comprehensive makeup examination is offered for students wishing to replace a missed exam score or to replace a low exam score using ACC's proctoring services.

SPECIFIC TO HPRS 2300 DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAMS:

In addition to the items above, students will be able to use a simple, four function (+, -, x, /) calculator on the dosage exams.  Students cannot use a scientific calculator that utilizes equations nor their cell phone as a calculator.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS:

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

HOT SPOTS:

There are now Wi-Fi hotspots at all ACC campuses.  Students may use the parking lots areas outlined on the following link to access free Wi-Fi in order to complete assignments.  https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/drive-up-wifi

Face to face courses will test in the classrooms during class time. Dosage 3 and 4 exams will be taken in the ACC testing center. The optional makeup will be taken in the ACC testing center.

Hybrid courses may test in the classrooms during class time or use ACC's testing services or a combination of both. Instructor will provide further details. 

Students will test using ACC's proctoring services if the course is offered in distance learning ONL format. If the course is offered in person, students will test according to the instructor's instructions. 


Readings

TEXTS AND MATERIALS

REQUIRED

The textbook is an ebook version of "Pharmacology: An Introduction" by Hitner and Nagle, current edition. A dosage calculation workbook is also used for learning the dosage calculation material. This workbook is instructor created and is available electronically in Blackboard.

Other

High speed, broad band internet access is strongly recommended. This is available to students at ACC campuses. See addendum regarding wifi availability and hotspots.

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, and important information on Blackboard.  Students may also be required to relevant research topics via the internet. 

Students will complete exams and other assignments throughout the semester using Blackboard. 


Course Subjects

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

Narrated lectures may also be used to covered course content. Graded work/assignments are subject to change.

Review orientation material

Navigate Blackboard

Read the syllabus

Review the course schedule and put due dates on your calendar

Complete Mandatory Tasks under Start Here

  • Complete Orientation Videos and Orientation Quiz 

  • Submit Prerequisites

  • Complete Student Data Sheet 

  • Complete Self-introduction 

  • Take Math Pre-test on Blackboard Ultra          

Dosage Calculations Begins

Begin Dosage Calculations content in the Dosage Workbook under the Dosage Calculation Module

Memorize Calculation Equivalents and Abbreviations in the Dosage Workbook

Review tips and rules for dosage exams                                         

Read: Chapter 4 in e-textbook

Read Basic Math and Dimensional Analysis sections in the Dosage Workbook

Begin working from beginning to end in the Dosage Workbook

View/Listen: Petersen Dosage Calculations Mini-Lectures and Lectures on Conversions, Conversion Word, and Dosage Problems

View/Listen: Petersen Recorded Calculations Workshops 1 and 2

Practice: Dosage portion of e-textbook; work through practice worksheets in the dosage workbook and in the dosage calculation folder in Ultra

Continue work on Dosage Calculations                         

 View/Listen: Petersen Dosage Calculations Mini-Lectures, Intro to Dosage Calculations video, and What type of problem is this video - Cover Reconstitution, IV flow rates, IVPB flow rates, Putting it All Together, and Multifactor/special IV flow rates

View/Listen: Petersen Recorded Dosage Calculations Workshops 1 and 2

Practice: Dosage portion of e-textbook; work through practice worksheets

Start working on dosage homework found on Blackboard

All of this information will be covered on every dosage exam.

Begin Unit 1 under Course Content in Blackboard

View/Listen: Unit 1 Lecture Introduction to Pharmacology

Read: Chapters 1-3 and Lecture Notes Unit 1 Introduction to Pharmacology

View/Listen: Unit 1 Lecture Legislation and Approval of Drugs

Read: Chapters 1-3 and Lecture Notes Unit 1 Legislation and Approval of Drugs

Continue working on dosage homework and content

View/Listen: Unit 1 Lecture Drug Forms and Routes of Administration

Read: Chapters 1-3 and Lecture Notes Unit 1 Drug Forms and Routes of Administration

View/Listen: Unit 1 Lecture Pharmacokinetics

Read: Chapters 1-3 and Lecture Notes Unit 1 Pharmacokinetics

This covers all content for the Unit 1 Exam. No dosage calculation problems will be on the Unit 1 Exam, but you may see equivalents and abbreviations on the Unit 1 Exam.

Unit 1 graded assignment

UNIT EXAM #1

Dosage homework due-Submit on Blackboard

Begin Unit 2

View/Listen: Unit 2 Lecture Autonomic Nervous System Part 1

Read: Chapters 5-9 and Lecture Notes Unit 2 Autonomic Nervous System Part 1

Complete Dosage Practice Exam 1

Dosage Calculation Exam 1 Due

View/Listen: Unit 2 Lecture Autonomic Nervous System Part 2 and Unit 2 Lecture Somatic Nervous System

Read: Chapters 5-9 and Lecture Notes Unit 2 Autonomic Nervous System Part 2 and Lecture Notes Unit 2 Somatic Nervous System

View/Listen: Unit 2 Lecture Respiratory System and Allergy Drug Therapy

Read: Chapters 31-32 and Lecture Notes Unit 2 Respiratory System and Allergy Drug Therapy

Unit 2 graded assignment

Case Study Unit 2 Due

UNIT EXAM #2 (No make-ups or exceptions)

Begin Unit 3

View/Listen: Unit 3 Lecture Anti-infectives Part 1

Read: Chapters 41-44 and Lecture Notes Unit 3 Anti-infectives Part 1

Complete Dosage Practice Exam 2

Dosage Calculation Exam 2 Due

View/Listen: Unit 3 Lecture Anti-infectives Part 2

Read: Chapters 41-44 and Lecture Notes Unit 3 Anti-infectives Part 2

View/Listen: Unit 3 Lecture Antineoplastics

Read: Chapters 45-46 and Lecture Notes Unit 3 Antineoplastics

Unit 3 graded assignment

Case Study Unit 3 Due

UNIT EXAM #3 

Begin Unit 4

View/Listen: Unit 4 Lecture Introduction to Cardiovascular System Drug Therapy

Read: Chapters 21-22, 24 and Lecture Notes Unit 4 Introduction to Cardiovascular System Drug Therapy

View/Listen: Unit 4 Lecture Hypertension Drug Therapy and Diuretics

Read: Chapters 25-26 and Lecture Notes Unit 4 Hypertension Drug Therapy and Diuretics

Dosage Calculation Exam 3 Due (if needed)

View/Listen: Unit 4 Lecture Antiarrhythmics, Antianemics, Anticoagulants, Coagulants, and Thrombolytics

Read: Chapters 23, 27, and 30 and Lecture Notes Unit 4 Antiarrhythmics, Antianemics, Anticoagulants, Coagulants, and Thrombolytics

View/Listen: Unit 4 Lecture Antihyperlipidemics and Hypolipidemics

Read: Chapter 29 and Lecture Notes Unit 4 Antihyperlipidemics and Hypolipidemics

Unit 4 graded assignment

Case Study Unit 4 Due

UNIT EXAM #4 

Begin Unit 5

View/Listen: Unit 5 Lecture Introduction to the Central Nervous System, Depression, and Bipolar Mood Disorder

Read: Chapters 11, 14 and Lecture Notes Unit 5 Introduction to the Central Nervous System, Depression, and Bipolar Mood Disorder

Dosage Calculation Exam 4 Due (if needed)

View/Listen: Unit 5 Lecture Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s Disease

Read: Chapters 13, 17 and Lecture Notes Unit 5 Schizophrenia and Parkinson’s Disease

View/Listen: Unit 5 Lecture Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anti-Anxiety Drug Therapy

Read: Chapters 12, 13 and Lecture Notes Unit 5 Sedatives, Hypnotics, and Anti-Anxiety Drug Therapy

View/Listen: Unit 5 Lecture Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)

Read: Chapter 16, Lecture Notes Unit 5 Antiepileptic Drugs (AEDs)

View/Listen: Unit 5 Lecture Pain, Inflammation, Analgesics, Antigout Drug Therapy, and Anesthetics

Read: Chapters 10, 18-20 and Lecture Notes Unit 5 Pain, Inflammation, Analgesics, Antigout Drug Therapy, and Anesthetics

Unit 5 graded assignment

UNIT EXAM #5 

Begin Unit 6

View/Listen: Unit 6 Lecture Introduction to the Endocrine System and Diabetes

Read: Chapter 39 and Lecture Notes Unit 6 Introduction to the Endocrine System and Diabetes

View/Listen: Unit 6 Lecture Endocrine-Pituitary Gland, Adrenal Glands and Steroids, and Thyroid Gland

Read: Chapters 35, 36, 38, and 40 and Lecture Notes Unit 6 Endocrine-Pituitary Gland, Adrenal Glands and Steroids, and Thyroid Gland

View/Listen: Unit 6 Lecture Sex Hormones and Drug Therapy

Read: Chapter 37 and Lecture Notes Unit 6 Sex Hormones and Drug Therapy

View/Listen: Unit 6 Lecture Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) and Gastrointestinal Drug Therapy

Read: Chapters 33-34 and Lecture Notes Unit 6 Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD) and Gastrointestinal Drug Therapy

Unit 6 graded assignment

UNIT EXAM #6

Optional comprehensive make-up exam due (replaces a missed unit exam or your lowest unit exam score)

**Must pass 2/4 of the dosage exams with 80% or higher to pass the dosage calculation requirement for the course

All exams are taken with DE Proctoring. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives

          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.            Define and explore 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.

10.          Define appropriate patient teaching in regards to specific drug therapy classifications.

11.          Apply the drug therapy information used to treat certain disease processes.


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Office Hours

M W 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM RRC, Building 3000, Room 3117.03

NOTE Email me for a meeting time as I am in a locked/badge access only location. Text upon arrival, and I will meet you to bring you back to my office area. I am also available other times by appointment; email for meeting time and Zoom link if virtual meetings are preferred. Other times available by appointment.

Published: 01/24/2026 09:19:32