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.
Fundamentals of Pharmacology & Therapeutics

This course introduces the basic principles and clinical applications of pharmacology. Topics covered include the general principles of drug therapy, the use of therapeutics in the nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine and gastrointestinal systems and drugs used in infection, inflammation and cancer.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply the principles of drug therapy to solve basic pharmacokinetics problems.
- Source and critically analyze phase 3 clinical trials to recognize a well-designed, valid study for a new drug.
- Describe how drugs affect the body and how the body affects drugs to predict beneficial and adverse drug effects.
- Discuss the use of therapeutics in a variety of physiological systems and processes to propose basic therapeutic plans for common diseases or ailments.
- Explain how drugs target and combat infections and cancers to evaluate the pros and cons of available treatment options and to advocate for appropriate use to decrease the emergence of resistance.
Description
PHAR 270, Fundamentals of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, is an interdisciplinary course that introduces the basic principles and clinical applications of pharmacology. This 12-week course covers six themes or topics. Students will work through the topics online, using a combination of online modules, readings, and short video clips. Students will participate in a variety of assessments throughout the course that will encourage communication and teamwork, as well as ensure concepts have been understood and can be applied to real life scenarios. At the end of the course, students will have a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of pharmacology and therapeutics.
Terms
Evaluation
10% - Pharmacokinetics Problems and Simulations
15% - Virtual lleum Lab
15% - Research Presentation on Assigned Drug
10% - Written Report: Solving a Clinical Case
10% - Midterm Exam
40% - Final Proctored Exam
Students must pass the Final Proctored Exam to pass the course
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
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
- PHAR 270 course notes via modules posted online
Optional Textbook
- Katzung, Bertram G., Masters, Susan B., and Trevor, Anthony J. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 12th edition. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2009 (available online through Queen’s library).
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 9 - 10 hours a week (114 hours per term) in study / practice and online activity for PHAR 270.
Evaluation
10% - Pharmacokinetics Problems and Simulations
15% - Virtual lleum Lab
15% - Research Presentation on Assigned Drug
10% - Written Report: Solving a Clinical Case
10% - Midterm Exam
40% - Final Proctored Exam
Students must pass the Final Proctored Exam to pass the course
**Evaluation Subject to Change**
Instructor
Textbooks and Materials
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
- PHAR 370 course notes via modules posted online
Recommended Textbook
- Katzung, Bertram G., Masters, Susan B., and Trevor, Anthony J. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 12th edition. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing, 2009 (available online through Queen’s library).
Time Commitment
Students can expect to spend approximately 9 - 10 hours a week (114 hours per term) in study / practice and online activity for PHAR 270.
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.