SOLUS is Queen’s Student On-Line University System. You’ll have access to a SOLUS account once you become a Queen’s student. You’ll use SOLUS to register for courses, add and drop courses, update your contact information, view financial and academic information, and pay your tuition.
Basic Physics

This is an algebra-based course dealing with basic Physics concepts, including dynamics, fluids, waves, electromagnetism and basic optics. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills through the use of Mastery based course delivery.
Please note: This course is typically offered in the summer term
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course students will be able to:
- Students will be able to identify and interpret the laws of nature as summarized by the fundamental concepts that constitute the foundations of classical physics.
- Students will apply nature’s basic laws describing forces and motion, energy and momentum, and the conservation rules that constrain these laws to real world applications.
- Students will be able to analyze the information contained in various problem scenarios within the context of recognizable physics laws and utilize systematic problem-solving strategies to solve for unknown quantities.
Description
PHYS 118 may be taken as an elective or in place of PHYS 117 in the following programs: BSCH MAJ BIOL, GEOL, PSYC and ENSC, and in the BSC General in Geology and Life Sciences.
PHYS 118 does not include a physical lab component and will not substitute for PHYS 117 in the following BSCH programs: Physics, Chemistry.
For more information, please consult the Undergraduate Chair in your department, or an academic adviser.
Terms
Evaluation
Please note that this course may have synchronous sessions. Please contact the instructor for more details.
Final Examination
Students must write their exam on the day and time scheduled by the University. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
Please note, in order to pass this course you must pass the final exam with a minimum grade of 50%.
Examity Statement
When you enroll in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and block theory exams online with remote proctoring. The benefits of this are that you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam software developed at Queen’s, which is integrated with an online proctoring system. To ensure a successful exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the Evaluation and Grading Policies.
8 minimum technical requirements, as described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the exam. You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require the use of this software.
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook:
Available from Queen's Campus Bookstore:
- Introductory Physics (Serway & Vuille, 11th Edition, e-book comes with Enhanced Webassign (EWA) required for homework assignments)
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 7-10 hours a week (228 hours per term) on this course.
Evaluation
Please note that this course may have synchronous sessions. Please contact the instructor for more details.
Final Examination
Students must write their exam on the day and time scheduled by the University. Do not schedule vacations, appointments, etc., during the exam period.
Please note, in order to pass this course you must pass the final exam with a minimum grade of 50%.
Examity Statement
When you enroll in this online course, you are agreeing to write tests, quizzes, and block theory exams online with remote proctoring. The benefits of this are that you can complete the exam in your own space using your own computer. For each assessment, you will be using exam software developed at Queen’s, which is integrated with an online proctoring system. To ensure a successful exam experience, you are responsible for ensuring that your computer meets the Evaluation and Grading Policies.
8 minimum technical requirements, as described on the course web page, and that you are located in an area with sufficient high speed internet at the time of the exam. You will be given the opportunity to practice the exam initiation process in advance of any quizzes, tests or exams that require the use of this software.
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
ASO reserves the right to make changes to the required material list as received by the instructor before the course starts. Please refer to the Campus Bookstore website at http://www.campusbookstore.com/Textbooks/Search-Engine to obtain the most up-to-date list of required materials for this course before purchasing them.
Required Textbook:
Available from Queen's Campus Bookstore:
- Introductory Physics (Serway & Vuille, 11th Edition, e-book comes with Enhanced Webassign (EWA) required for homework assignments)
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 15-20 hours a week (228 hours per term) on this course.
Course Resources
About SOLUS
About OnQ
onQ is Queen's online learning platform. You'll log into onQ to access your course. All materials related to your course—notes, readings, videos, recordings, discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, groupwork, tutorials, and help—will be on the onQ site.
About Credit Units
Queen’s courses are weighted in credit units. A typical one-term course is worth 3.0 units, and a typical two-term course is worth 6.0 units. You combine these units to create your degree. A general (three-year) BA or BSc requires a total of 90 credit units.
Computer Requirements
To take an online course, you’ll need a high speed internet connection as well as a microphone and speakers to be able to watch videos, hear sounds, and participate in interactive online activities. A webcam is recommended but not necessary.
System Requirements:
Computer Specifications
- Windows 8.1 or newer
- OSX 10.13 (High Sierra) or newer
- Dual Core 2 GHz processor
- 4 GB RAM
- Soundcard
- USB Headset
- Webcam
Supported Browsers
- Chrome (preferred - latest version)
- Firefox (latest version)
- Safari is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
- Edge is not recommended as it causes several known issues in onQ
Internet Connection
- Wired high speed access: Cable or better
- Wifi is not recommended
Java
- Latest version
Media Player
- Flash (latest version)
Adobe Reader
- Latest Version
Dates/Deadlines
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
Grading Scheme
The information below is intended for undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Science. Academic Regulations in other Faculties may differ.
Letter Grade | Grade Point |
A+ | 4.30 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
GPA Calculators
Have your SOLUS grade report handy and then follow the link to the Arts and Science GPA calculators.
How does this affect my academics?
See the GPA and Academic Standing page.
Follow the link above for an explanation of how the GPA system affects such things as the Dean’s Honour List, requirements to graduate, and academic progression.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Grading Scheme
Please follow this link to the FAQ's
Tuition Fees
Tuition fees vary depending when you start, your year, faculty, and program. Fees for Summer Term 2018 first-year Distance Career Arts & Science Domestic students are as follows: for a 3.0-unit course, $685.90; for a 6.0-unit course, $1371.80 See also Tuition and Fees.
Campus Bookstore
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
Non-Queen’s Students
All Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are open to students at other universities. Before applying as a visiting student, request a Letter of Permission from your home university that states that you have permission to take the course and apply it to your degree. See also Apply.
Academic Integrity
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.