Since I've taken up through Calc II, the program I'm starting said I don't need to take basic algebra math (which I totally agree with). But I'm wondering if it's just basic alg or if they're going to be introduction dimensional analysis and med math...
I got really good with DA in chem and orgo, so I'm not too worried about that, just wondering what the class is all about? I want to be top dog in my class because I'm Type A like that (y'know, but with severe anxiety and IBS on test days...)
Do they introduce med math in pharm or in the intro math class???
I'll add that my school has 3 days of orientation and one day is dedicated to a refreshing of A&P as well as med math. It's not mandatory to attend, but I'm definitely going. The more review before school starts, the better.
Some places integrate what they call "med math" (as if it were something special and specific only to doing calculations involving medications) and unit conversions into their pharmacology courses. I think this is largely because we know from bitter experience that just because someone passed high school algebra (which is all you need to do these problems) and basic chemistry (for the conversions-- gm>mg>mcg, or lbs>kg, for example) doesn't mean s/he can think clearly enough to do the calculations required.
OP, if you passed calculus you know enough to do basic algebra. Programs teach dimensional analysis to help their students make accurate calculations, not because it's inherently superior or integral (you should pardon the expression) (expression! Hah!) to the process of determining med doses. Dimensional analysis is not a requirement to find the correct way to solve for X. You'll be fine. :)
I also took up through Calculus II in high school and, therefore, tested out of my core math requirement in college. There was no "med math" class but since the university had a core curriculum, all students were required to take a math core. I was not. Med math is math that you could have done in middle school. You'll be fine.
Thanks everyone!! I feel much better now about the course... I start "med math" in fundamentals and that's 2 semesters away so I'm feeling way less pressure.
I'll just brush up once a week on some DA problems if I start to feel too nervous!!
smoup
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I'll add that my school has 3 days of orientation and one day is dedicated to a refreshing of A&P as well as med math. It's not mandatory to attend, but I'm definitely going. The more review before school starts, the better.