Course

Veterinary Pharmacology

Faculty
Science & Technology
Department
Veterinary Technology
Course code
VTEC 1204
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15 weeks
Max class size
30
Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Typically offered
Winter

Overview

Course description
This course provides a foundation in the basic principles of pharmacology. Pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and general pharmacological principles and definitions, as well as a review of drugs that affect various body systems are included. Practical applications of pharmacology concepts for a variety of species are addressed.
Course content

 

  1. Terminology and concepts
    - definitions
    - drug development and marketing
    - toxic levels and safety zones
  2. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
    - administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs
  3. Drugs by body system
    - neurological system
    - cardiovascular system
    - respiratory system
    - musculoskeletal system
    - gastrointestinal system
    - endocrine and reproductive system
    - integumentary system
    - ocular and aural system
    - urinary system
  4. Drug classification by mechanism of action
    - analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs
    - anti-neoplastic and immunosuppresive drugs
    - anti-parasitic drugs: anthelmintics, anti-nematodals, anti-protozoals, ectoparasiticides
    - antimicrobial drugs: bactericidal versus bacteriostatic, broad and narrow spectrum
    - anesthetics: local and general
Learning activities

Instructional methods may include online video lectures, webinars, online quizzes, written assignments and interactive classroom activities such as case studies, student presentations, and flipped classroom style group work.

Means of assessment

All evaluations will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. A final minimum cumulative grade of “C” or 60% is required in order to progress in the Veterinary Technology program.

Evaluation will be based on:

Quizzes                               10-30% (no quiz worth >5%)

Assignments                        15-40% (no evaluation worth >20%)

Midterm or Term Tests          20-40% (no test worth >20%)

Final Exam                           20-40%

 

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, successful students will be able to:

  1. Use pharmacological terminology.
  2. Describe the process of drug development, marketing and research. 
  3. Explain Canadian dispensing and prescription label regulations.
  4. Describe the basic concepts of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
  5. Calculate dosages of various drug formulations.
  6. List classes of nervous system and analgesic drugs (including anti-inflammatories) and explain their effects.
  7. Describe the uses of nervous system drugs for local and general anesthesia and analgesia.
  8. List classes of cardiovascular and respiratory drugs and explain their effects.
  9. List types of gastrointestinal and urinary drugs and explain their effects.
  10. List types of drugs that affect muscle function, skin, reproductive and endocrine systems and explain their effects.
  11. Discuss commonly used anti-parasitic drugs.
  12. Describe the types of ophthalmic and otic drugs, their uses and side effects.
  13. Describe the uses and types of antineoplastic and immunosuppressive drugs and their side effects.
  14. Discuss the use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine.
Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and course materials.

Requisites

Prerequisites

VTEC 1101 and VTEC 1102 and VTEC 1103 and VTEC 1112 and MATH 1183

Students in the Veterinary Technology program are required to maintain a minimum grade of (C) in all courses in order to progress in the program.

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for VTEC 1204
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025

CRN Days Instructor Status
Maximum seats
30
Currently enrolled
29
Remaining seats:
1
On waitlist
0
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. D
Room
D1026
Times:
Start Time
10:30
-
End Time
12:20
Building
Coquitlam - Bldg. A
Room
A2050
Times:
Start Time
14:30
-
End Time
16:20
Section notes

VTEC 1204 001 is restricted to FT Veterinary Technology students.