Topics covered include central nervous system stimulants and depressants, narcotics, alcohol, contraceptives, environmental toxicants, mechanism of drug action and disposition, antibiotics, drugs used in sports, over-the-counter drugs, food additives, and vitamins.
After completing PHAR 100, students will be able to:
Section A. Basic Principles of Pharmacology
• History of Drug Use and Development
• Drug Development, Drug Trials, and Drug Advertising
• Drug Action
• Pharmacokinetics
• Drug Toxicity and Drug Interactions.
Section B. Drugs of Abuse Part I
• Physiological and Pharmacological Aspects of the Central Nervous System
• Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence
• Stimulant Drugs
• Drugs Used in Sports
Section C. Drugs of Abuse Part II
• Sedative-Hypnotics
• Alcohol
• Cannabis (Marijuana)
• Narcotic Analgesics (Opiates, Opioids)
Section D. Common Prescription Drugs
• Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antiviral Agents
• Regulation of Fertility
Section E. Non-Prescription Drugs and Chemicals
• Over-the-counter (OTC) Drugs
• Herbal Remedies
• Vitamins
• Food Additives
Section F. Environmental Toxicology
• Cancer
• Environment and Health
• Pharmaceuticals in the Environment
PHAR 100, Introductory Pharmacology, is designed as a general interest course that introduces the subjects of pharmacology and toxicology. Pharmacology is broadly defined as the effect of drugs and chemicals on living organisms, while toxicology is the study of the deleterious effects of drugs and chemicals on living organisms. No prior knowledge of physiology is required to understand the drug action described in this course, as the physiology needed is covered in the course notes and the textbook. This 12-week course consists of six modules. Students will work through the modules online, using a combination of course notes, text book readings and short video clips. Students will participate in two activities 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.In addition, students will be required to submit one individual assignment, answering assigned questions about the course material. At the end of the course, students will have a basic understanding of pharmacology and toxicology.
Students will be evaluated on two active learning activities (25%), one individual written assignment (15%), one midterm quiz (10%), and a final proctored exam (50%). One of the active learning components will include peer critique. Students will also have multiple opportunities to self-assess their progress through small quizzes.
| 2 Active Learning Activities | 25% |
| Individual Assignment | 15% |
| Online Midterm Quiz | 10% |
| Proctored Final Exam | 50% |
** Evaluation Subject to Change **
This course has required live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
For an enhanced test-taking experience in your Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) course, your exams will be virtually proctored in the BHSc Portal using RPNow software.
RPNow is a remote proctoring service that ensures a high standard of academic integrity and allows you to write your exam in your own workspace. In order to ensure academic integrity during your exam, you will be required to sign in with photo ID, complete a scan of your workspace, be video and audio monitored for the duration of your exam, and have all activity on your desktop captured. These recordings will then be reviewed by trained RPNow proctors for suspicious activity.
The three-hour final exam will consist of multiple-choice questions of the type given as practice questions at the end of each lesson, and four short-answer questions. The multiple-choice questions will be worth 80%, and the short-answer questions worth 20% of the final exam.
Note: students must pass the final exam to pass the course.
Dr. Racz obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan. After three years of practice, he returned to university and obtained a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry and a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Alberta. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University. His interest in educating physicians, nursing science and life science students, and the public in the area of pharmacology and drug use spans almost four decades. His research interests include heavy metal toxicity and drug induced liver injury. He is a past president of the Society of Toxicology of Canada, a consultant to the Committee for The Evaluation of Drugs, Ministry of Health, Ontario and has served on several expert panels.
Dr. Mulder obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences, and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology at Queen’s University. Dr. Mulder is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor and Research Associate in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen’s University. Her current research interests include environmental toxicants and drug-induced lung and liver toxicities, including cancer. She has been involved with the online version of PHAR100 for over five years and is enthusiastic about teaching pharmacology and toxicology.
CDS 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.
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 10 - 12 hours per week on the course.
Students will be evaluated on two active learning activities (25%), one individual written assignment (15%), one midterm quiz (10%), and a final proctored exam (50%). One of the active learning components will include peer critique. Students will also have multiple opportunities to self-assess their progress through small quizzes.
| 2 Active Learning Activities | 25% |
| Individual Assignment | 15% |
| Online Midterm Quiz | 10% |
| Proctored Final Exam | 50% |
** Evaluation Subject to Change **
This course has required live sessions (e.g. webinars, synchronous activities). Please consult the Timeline in the first week of class.
For an enhanced test-taking experience in your Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHSc) course, your exams will be virtually proctored in the BHSc Portal using RPNow software.
RPNow is a remote proctoring service that ensures a high standard of academic integrity and allows you to write your exam in your own workspace. In order to ensure academic integrity during your exam, you will be required to sign in with photo ID, complete a scan of your workspace, be video and audio monitored for the duration of your exam, and have all activity on your desktop captured. These recordings will then be reviewed by trained RPNow proctors for suspicious activity.
The three-hour final exam will consist of multiple-choice questions of the type given as practice questions at the end of each lesson, and four short-answer questions. The multiple-choice questions will be worth 80%, and the short-answer questions worth 20% of the final exam.
Note: students must pass the final exam to pass the course.
Dr. Racz obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the University of Saskatchewan. After three years of practice, he returned to university and obtained a Master’s degree in Medicinal Chemistry and a doctorate in Pharmacology from the University of Alberta. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University. His interest in educating physicians, nursing science and life science students, and the public in the area of pharmacology and drug use spans almost four decades. His research interests include heavy metal toxicity and drug induced liver injury. He is a past president of the Society of Toxicology of Canada, a consultant to the Committee for The Evaluation of Drugs, Ministry of Health, Ontario and has served on several expert panels.
Dr. Mulder obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Sciences, and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Pharmacology and Toxicology at Queen’s University. Dr. Mulder is currently Adjunct Assistant Professor and Research Associate in the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen’s University. Her current research interests include environmental toxicants and drug-induced lung and liver toxicities, including cancer. She has been involved with the online version of PHAR100 for over five years and is enthusiastic about teaching pharmacology and toxicology.
CDS 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.
To complete the readings, assignments, and course activities, students can expect to spend on average, about 10 - 12 hours per week on the course.
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.
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.
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.
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:
See also Getting Started.
The deadlines for new applications to Queen’s Arts and Science Online courses are in our Upcoming Application Dates section.
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.
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
All textbooks can be purchased at Queen’s Campus Bookstore.
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.
Please see Queen’s policy statement on academic integrity for information on how to complete an online course honestly.
"There were seemingly always very prompt responses to questions from students, the test and exam review sessions were helpful and very well executed, and the course material had a good flow and was very well organized. I hope this kind of teaching grows because this course helped me graduate on time in my biotechnology program and I am very grateful for that. It was convenient, it was well supported and it was transferable to my college education. This was a very positive experience and if I am ever again in need, I would consider Queens first for future educational purposes."
- Douglas Wilson (Visiting Student from Durham College), PHAR 100: Introductory Pharmacology (2015)
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