FACULTY OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES STUDENT HANDBOOK 2025 - 2026
Pharmacy Code of Professionalism 26 APSA Code of Professionalism 28 Alberta College of Pharmacy Code of Ethics 30 Student Life 31 APSA 31 APSA Lounge 33 BPSA, LGBTQ-PhSC & PIN 34 PBL Rooms 35 Student Services 35 Financial Aid, Loans, Bursaries, and Student Awards 36 Student Loans 36 Bursaries 36 Undergraduate Awards 37 APSA Awards 38 External Awards 38 Library 38 Interlibrary Loan 38 Research Support / Subject Librarians 38 Photocopiers / Printing 38
Acknowledgment of Traditional Territory 3 Message from the Dean 4 The Faculty 5 Faculty Vision 5 Faculty Mission 5 Values of the Faculty 6 History of the Faculty 6 Pharmacy Curriculum 7 Course Listings & Descriptions 7 Computer Policies 8 Technology Requirements & Information 7 U of A Electronic Communications Policy 9 Email 9 Accessibility Resources and Accommodations 10 Attendance 10 Planned Absences 11 Unplanned Absences 12 Student Code of Conduct 13 Discrimination, Harassment + Duty to Accommodate Policy 13 Academic Policies and Procedures 14 Academic Standing Grades 14 Reexaminations 14 Promotion and/or Continuation 15 Graduation 17 Examinations 18 Dealing with Poor Academic Performance 19 Grading System 20 How are grades assigned? 21 Pass/Fail Courses 21 Grade Appeals 21 Calculating GPA 21 Practicum 22 Intervention Policy 22 Practicum Requirements 22 Placement Procedures 25
Territorial Acknowledgment The University of Alberta and Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences respectfully acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/ Saulteaux/Anishinaabe, Inuit, and many others whose histories, languages, and cultures continue to influence our vibrant community. L'Université de l'Alberta reconnaît respectueusement qu'elle est située sur les terres du Traité 6, lieu de rassemblement traditionnel pour de nombreux peuples autochtones dont les Cris, les PiedsNoirs, les Métis, les Sioux des Nakotas, les Iroquois, les Dénés, les Ojibwés/Saulteaux/ Anichinabés, les Inuits et bien d'autres encore, dont les histoires, les langues et les cultures continuent d'influencer notre communauté si vivante. Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is committed to providing an environment of equity and respect for all people within the university community, and to educating faculty, staff, and students in developing teaching and learning contexts that are welcoming to all. Check out the resources to support an inclusive learning experience provided by the University and the Faculty. If you experience discrimination or harassment while in the program, please contact Student Services for support in how to navigate the situation. You can also report instances of discrimination and harassment through the Office of Safe Disclosure and Human Rights. The faculty encourages staff and students to use inclusive language to create a classroom atmosphere in which students' experiences and views are treated with equal respect and value in relation to their gender, racial background, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds. In order to create a thoughtful and respectful community, you are encouraged to use gender-neutral or gender-inclusive language and to become more sensitive to the impact of devaluing language. We are working to build a community in which human rights are respected, and equity and inclusion are embedded in all areas of academic, work, and campus life.
Message From The Dean Dear Student Pharmacists: Welcome! On behalf of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Alberta, I am thrilled to have you join our vibrant community here on the beautiful U of A campus. Get ready for an exciting year ahead, filled with a lot of incredible opportunities as you begin your educational journey. We’re excited to see all you’ll achieve. You're about to begin your undergraduate journey with one of Canada's top pharmacy schools, a place deeply committed to professionalism and excellence in research and education. We're dedicated to shaping a more accessible community, rooted in engagement and collaboration, where everyone can experience success and a sense of belonging. Our biggest strength is our people. As you join us, you'll also be part of our new strategic plan, Charting New Paths Together, a roadmap guiding our learning, research, and community involvement through 2029, as we collectively work towards advancing a healthier world. I encourage you to take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way. Pursue your passions and push yourself beyond your comfort zone; your instructors, our staff and I will be here every step of the way to cheer you on. This handbook is designed as a key resource, bringing together our faculty's policies, procedures, curriculum, and practicum requirements in one accessible place. Please remember it supplements, but doesn't supersede, the official University of Alberta calendar — your primary guide for academic policies and procedures. We encourage you to review both, paying particular attention to the Pharmacy Code of Professionalism to understand the expectations for your journey as a future pharmacist. We look forward to helping you connect with new classmates and mentors, and supporting your success as you take this big step towards joining the pharmacy profession. I look forward to seeing you on campus and getting to know you throughout your program. Sincerely, Christine Hughes Dean Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Faculty Faculty Members The faculty members that will be teaching you can be categorized into two major classes: those with specialties in the Pharmaceutical Sciences and those in Pharmacy Practice. In many courses you will find a mixture of both types of faculty members as instructors. Most faculty members have active research programs and some have graduate students under their direction. We are proud of the many publications that they turn out each year in respected scholarly journals and the research funding that they are able to secure to support their research programs. During your program of studies, you may find opportunities to get involved in research projects either by summer student employment experiences or by elective research courses. Furthermore, we are proud of their teaching abilities across the board. Several existing faculty members have been awarded the highest accolades for teaching at the University for tenure and non-tenure track faculty members. In addition, many of our faculty members practice as pharmacists, providing care to a variety of patients across diverse practice settings. Click here to view our current list of faculty and staff. Many of the faculty listed have a profile on the Faculty website; please take the time to find out more about them. Many other individuals are involved in teaching you as you progress through the program. Guest lecturers include pharmacists, graduate student teaching assistants and faculty members from other faculties (e.g. Medicine & Dentistry, ALES, and Nursing) that may teach you course content throughout the program. Faculty Vision Advancing a healthier world through groundbreaking and transformative pharmacy education and research, dedicated to enhancing health for all. Faculty Mission To develop and empower a diverse community of pharmacists and researchers, dedicated to improving health care through advanced education, research and a strong commitment to the needs of society.
Values of the Faculty ● Compassion ● Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity ● Collaboration ● Integrity and Accountability ● Innovation and Excellence History of the Faculty Pharmacy education in Alberta has progressed immensely over the years. The first official pharmacy classes started in the fall of 1914 as a Department in the Faculty of Medicine. Tuition for the entire year was $100 (of course this would be a lot more than that in today’s dollars). Because practical experience was considered very important, candidates were required to complete three years of apprenticeship (and only needed grade 10) to enter the university. Two programs were offered at that time, a one-year Licensing Diploma and a two-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (Phm. B.) degree. By 1918, the minimum requirement for licensure was increased to a two-year diploma course, still with the three years of apprenticeship. However, if students preferred to take a four-year degree course, which included only one year of apprenticeship, they would have the title of B.Sc. Pharm. The first class (of three students) received their degree in 1921. The year 1955 was an important milestone in the history of pharmacy at the university, when the school was granted faculty status. Ten years later (1966-67), the three-year degree program was officially replaced by the four-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree program, which gave graduates the opportunity to write the national Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) exams. The Faculty was renamed as the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1968 because of its strong graduate studies program in pharmaceutics. It was housed in the Dentistry/Pharmacy Centre until 2010, when the Faculty moved in stages to the offices and laboratories in the Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research (Katz), Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA), and Medical Sciences (MSB) buildings. Recognizing the shift in education in the United States and the growing scope of practice in Canada, the Faculty launched a post-professional Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program in 2013. The PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists program was initially delivered as a 13-month full-time program but has shifted to a distance program that can be completed in up to 5 years to provide flexibility for working professionals. In 2014, the Faculty embarked upon planning for the next shift in programming, to the 4-year entry to practice PharmD degree. While the first cohort of students enrolled in the program’s new curriculum in the Fall of 2018, the Faculty’s first entry to practice PharmD graduates actually convocated in the Spring of 2018 following completion of the PharmD for BScPharm Students (PBS) bridging program
In addition to the entry to practice PharmD and PharmD for Practicing Pharmacists degree programs, the Faculty also offers a non-credit Certificate to Canadian Pharmacy Practice for internationally educated pharmacy professionals and those wishing to continue their pharmacy education. Pharmacy Curriculum The PharmD (or Doctor of Pharmacy) program is the entry-to-practice degree required for individuals to become registered as a pharmacist. The curriculum for the four-year program combines in-class, laboratory, and experiential components to ensure that graduates have the knowledge, skills, and experience to succeed as front line healthcare providers. Unlike most other programs at the University of Alberta, you will find that the number of credits to be taken varies from year to year and semester to semester. The Faculty is continually reevaluating the curriculum through the Curriculum Committee, which includes consideration to program evaluation data collected from students and instructors. As is the case for several Faculty committees, there is student representation on the Curriculum Committee to provide feedback and a voice to Faculty decisions. See the Program Goal and Outcomes here. COURSE SCHEDULE AND DELIVERY All current course listings and course descriptions for the PharmD program can be found in the University Calendar. When you begin each course, a course outline will be provided to you outlining in detail the schedule, content, and instructors. The Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program is delivered on the North Campus in the Medical Sciences Building (MSB) and the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA). Instruction, including lectures, seminars, and labs will be delivered in person. However, individual instructors may choose to deliver some of their sessions remotely and/or in a blended fashion. Your syllabi, course Canvas pages, and Google Calendar will be your guides for scheduling information. You should also be aware that final examinations in the PharmD program do not follow the same schedule as the rest of the university. You will be notified as to the dates of your final examinations in the course syllabi and Google Calendar available to you at the beginning of each term. Note: Do not book vacations until you have carefully examined the course and examination schedule for each of your courses. It is also a good idea to make others (such as loved ones) aware to ensure they have checked with you first about your commitments in the PharmD program, as missing an examination for a booked vacation is not an acceptable excuse. Refer to the Handbook sections on Planned Absences and Unplanned Absences for more information.
If you are unable to attend a seminar or lab in-person, you should inform your instructor and your group members. It may be possible for you to join remotely to complete the course activities or you may be required to complete alternate work for missed activities or assessments as per specific course requirements that instructors will explain at the start of the course. University of Alberta Electronic Communications Policy The University of Alberta uses electronic communication with its students in lieu of many paper-based processes. “Electronic communication” which is outlined in the Universities Electronic Communications Policy includes anything that is created, recorded, transmitted or stored in digital form or in any other intangible form by electronic, magnetic or optical means or by any equivalent means. Currently, this most often includes information communicated by e-mail and via a website. Email All University students are provided with a UAlberta email address. You should use this email address for all communications with professors. Also use proper etiquette. Avoid the use of abbreviations (e.g. “R U there?”), address your professor in a professional manner, and close with your full name. Be sure to include a subject. Students are expected to check their e-mail account frequently in order to stay current with University communications. Failure to receive or read in a timely manner University communications sent to the e-mail address does not absolve students from knowing, responding to or complying with the content of that communication.
Computer Policies Technology Requirements and Information It is required that students have access to a laptop or device equipped with a microphone and camera to participate in some class activities and/or take exams. Please ensure that you have access to reliable off-campus internet service/Wi-Fi and check that your computer meets our needs by comparing it to the information about system requirements HERE. You must also have Google Chrome installed to take pharmacy exams with your device. If exams are administered online, they will be proctored remotely using software called Secure Exam Monitor (SEM) that is available on Canvas. Please read the guidelines and requirements for online exams with SEM HERE. Session Recordings - Classroom technology will be used to record lectures. The classroom camera and mic are positioned to focus on the lecturer and white boards but may pick up the image and voice of those within close proximity or participating online. In accordance with section 33(c) of the FOIP Act, the recording will be used to support teaching and learning and may be disclosed to those registered in the course. Any questions about this process for specific classes should be addressed with your instructor. Recordings should be available within 72 hours or sooner and posted for the duration of the term. If technology fails during an in-person delivery scenario and a recording is not captured, lectures will not be repeated. Seminars and labs are opportunities to actively engage in learning and are not recorded. Participating in Online Sessions - While lectures will normally be delivered in person and recorded via YuJa, Zoom, or another recording platform, some activities and specific sessions may be delivered online; in this case, the chat functions and breakout rooms might be used as a part of the teaching. As with in-person learning, it is expected that everyone will participate in any online sessions in a respectful and professional manner. The following expectations should be adhered to when participating in online sessions: Your first and last name must be displayed and you are encouraged to share your preferred pronouns. Your camera must be on during sessions that involve active group work (if you have a reason that prohibits you from being able to turn on your webcam, contact your instructor to let them know and exceptions will be accommodated). For your privacy, it is recommended that you remove identifiable and personal belongings from the space in which you are participating in video conferencing activities.
Accessibility Resources and Accommodations The Faculty provides accommodations to support individual needs to access high quality learning. Students requiring accommodations to ensure access to learning that meets individual needs must register with Accessibility and Accommodation Services at the beginning of each academic term. Accessibility and Accommodation Services will provide students and Student Services with a "Letter of Accommodation". FoPPS Student Services will schedule meetings with students who have approved accommodations once letters are received to discuss individual requirements and how needs will be met. Once the student feels the needs are being met, student services will share requirements with all primary and/or lab instructors that have contact with the student for the term. Assessment services will follow up with students and instructors to facilitate approved exam accommodations. Exam Accommodations - Students with registered exam accommodations must keep track of deadlines and regulations. If you do not follow the procedures or meet the deadlines, it may not be possible to provide necessary space and/or services. In these cases, the affected exam or exams may be required to be written with peers during the allotted time according to the standard plan for delivery. The Faculty will always do what it can within the limits of our resources and capacity to support students to access what they need to take exams fairly. Attendance The learning experience and opportunity to develop your identity as a professional in the field of pharmacy are enhanced by attending program activities in person as often as possible. Some types of learning in the professional PharmD program REQUIRE in-person attendance for teaching to be effective including LABS, most SEMINARS, and Experiential Education training/orientation sessions.
The Faculty recognizes that occasionally life events occur that require a student to miss required sessions, term work, term examinations, or final examinations. As a result, we provide accommodations for planned and unplanned absences according to University Academic Regulations about Attendance. Note that excused absences are not granted automatically and the following procedures should be followed when different types of absences occur. Planned Absences A healthy learning experience involves maintaining balance in multiple life pursuits. In the event that students have planned activities such as commitments based on religious beliefs, formal athletic events and competitions, or very important life events, the Faculty will try to make reasonable accommodations that minimizes disruptions to teaching and learning. See the absence process guidelines. Religious Observances - The University and Faculty will arrange reasonable accommodation for students who observe religious holy days other than those already accommodated by ordinary scheduling and statutory holidays. Students with planned absences due to religious observations must submit an Excused Absence Request Form to Student Services within 2 weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes; and within 3 days of the start of Spring or Summer classes to inform faculty . Student Services will inform the impacted instructors who will determine any requirements for missed term work that result from the absence. In the event that the absence conflicts with a midterm or final exam, the exam will typically be rescheduled to the designated deferred exam dates described below. In some cases, the instructor may require other arrangements (e.g. shifting of weight) for missed midterm exams. Other Important Life Events - Students with planned absences related to important commitments during a term must submit an Excused Absence Request Form to Student Services within 2 weeks of the start of Fall or Winter classes; and within 3 days of the start of Spring or Summer classes to describe the request. Requests that are deemed unreasonable (e.g. vacations or travel) will be denied. For those that are granted, Student Services will inform the impacted instructors who will determine any requirements for missed term work that result from the absence.
In the event that the absence conflicts with a midterm or final exam, the exam will typically be rescheduled to the designated deferred exam dates described below. In some cases, the instructor may require other arrangements (e.g. shifting of weight) for missed midterm exams. Unplanned Absences Use the following procedures if you are required to miss sessions, term work, term examinations, or final examinations due to incapacitating mental and/or physical illness, severe domestic affliction, or for circumstances as described in the University's Discrimination, Harassment and Duty to Accommodate Policy (including religious belief). Missed Labs, Seminars, and Required Training/Orientation - Contact your instructor within 48 hours or soon as you are able to describe the reason for the absence. Some instructors may require the completion of alternate work for missed activities or assessments as per specific course requirements to ensure important learning is not missed. These requirements will be explained by instructors at the start of the course. Missed Term Work and Midterms - If you miss a term activity or assessment (e.g. midterm) with a graded component worth 5% or greater, an Excused Absence Request Form should be completed and provided to Student Services within 2 business days, or as soon as you are able. If approved, Student Services will inform instructors who will determine if and how alternate work or deferrals will be provided . While a deferral is not always provided for midterms, if it is, the deferral for non-skills courses will mid November or mid March. Deferred Final Exams - Students who miss a final exam for an acute unexpected reason as described above must notify their instructor and Student Services by emailing a completed Excused Absence Request Form within 48 hours of missing the exam or as soon as they are able. The Faculty has set Deferred Final Exam dates as indicated below: Deferred final exam dates for Skills Courses (Pharm 220, 223, 320, 323, 420 and 423) are scheduled by the course coordinators in consultation with the Associate Dean or designate.
The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences deferred final exam date for final exams missed in the Fall term is in early January. The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences deferred final exam date for final exams missed in the Winter 2025 term is early May. For students who miss more than one final exam, additional dates will be scheduled in the period between January and March or in early May on an as-needed basis.. Student Code of Conduct “The University acknowledges the values of academic engagement, respectful debate, peaceful assemblies and demonstrations, and participation in the many aspects of University life as ways to enhance intellectual growth, health and wellbeing, and a sense of belonging. The misconduct listed in this policy describes, in general terms, student behaviours which if left unchecked would, to an unacceptable degree, disrupt the learning environment, threaten the proper functioning of the University and/or negatively affect the property or reputation of the university, which benefit all members of the University community” Discrimination, Harassment + Duty to Accommodate Policy We strive to foster and protect a respectful environment for work, study, and living that supports the dignity and equity of all members of the University of Alberta. We are committed to a work, study, and living environment that is free of discrimination and harassment, and one which ensures that the University of Alberta will meet both its obligations under law and its ethical responsibilities as an institution of higher learning. These legal and ethical responsibilities include the duty to accommodate and the provision of opportunities to persons who require accommodation based on a protected ground. This policy establishes general responsibilities related to discrimination and harassment and specific procedures which apply where a disclosure or formal complaint of discrimination or harassment is brought against a member of the university community.
Academic Policies and Procedures This information is provided in full detail within the University Calendar. In this handbook the section referring to Academic Standing and Promotion is presented as follows for the PharmD Program. Academic Standing Grades The means of assessing a student's progress and determining a student's grades may vary from one course to another, according to the nature of the course. Factors other than examination results may be used to a variable extent by instructors in determining grades. Students are informed at the beginning of each course how grades are to be determined. Students must satisfactorily complete all components of all courses. Re-examinations Students are advised that it is not possible to make a ruling regarding remediation or reexamination until all grades for a year are received and recorded. The minimum GPA for a reexamination is 2.1. The reexamination mark will replace the original final exam mark. Reexamination results do not alter the student's class standing. Any student who, after reexamination and/or evaluation, fails to meet promotion/graduation requirements, is deemed to have failed the year. A student who does not take a reexamination within the time period prescribed by the Faculty will not be allowed to continue in the program. The Associate Dean Academic and Student Services will specify by course the reexamination required of a failed student for the purposes of meeting promotion/graduation requirements. All students will take the reexamination as scheduled by June 30.
Promotion and/or Continuation Progression in the program is year by year and not by courses completed. Accordingly, all students in a particular year of the program normally should be registered in the same courses in each term. Students will not normally register in any core (i.e., non-elective) courses from a particular year of the program until they have satisfactorily completed core courses from the previous year of the program. Students accepted into the MBA/Pharmacy Combined Degree program will be permitted to delay entrance into the fourth year by one year with no loss in standing. The duration of the total MBA/Pharmacy Combined Degree program must not exceed five consecutive calendar years from the time of admission to the Pharmacy program. Academic standing is assessed on the basis of ● the pass or failure of individual courses and ● the GPA attained in a given year of the program (including courses taken in Spring Term). In computing the GPA, grades of W and CR/NC, and grades in courses accepted for transfer credit are not included. Each student's academic standing will normally be assessed at the end of the regular academic year. Students who are on Academic Warning will be assessed at the end of each term. See Academic Standing (Conditional Standing). A student who is awarded First-Class Standing or Satisfactory Standing, as defined below, will normally qualify for promotion: First-Class Standing: Awarded to an undergraduate student who obtains a GPA of 3.5 or above and passes all courses while enrolled in the full normal academic course load in that year. See Program of Courses. Note: First-Class Standing is not awarded in Year 4 given the limited number of graded units taken in that year. Satisfactory Standing: Awarded to a student who achieves a GPA of 2.1 or above for each year outlined in Program of Courses and if no course is failed. Conditional Standing: Assigned to a student who achieves a GPA of 2.1 or above for each year outlined in Program of Courses but has failed one or more courses. A student who is assigned Conditional Standing will be placed on Academic Warning and must retake and pass all failed courses. Other courses are to be taken, up to a normal course load, as scheduling permits and as approved by the Faculty.
Normally, a Leave of Absence is granted only if all the following conditions are met: ● A minimum of one full term must be completed within the degree program before a Leave of Absence is considered ● The student has a cumulative GPA of 2.1 in the pharmacy program ● The reasons for the absence are considered by the Faculty to be acceptable ● No transferable courses are being completed at another institution during the Leave of Absence period ● The leave of absence does not by itself extend the duration of the program beyond the normal limit for completion of the program Note: An approved Leave of Absence will be granted for a maximum 12-month period of time, and will be granted only once in a student's academic career within the Faculty. Graduation Time Limit for Completion of Degree: Normally, all students must complete their degree requirements within five calendar years from the time of their initial admission. This time limit includes all time during which a student is not in attendance, either for personal reasons [see Leave of Absence] or as a result of suspension or requirement to withdraw followed by a successful appeal. Students should be aware of the need to provide a criminal record check for placement in the Experiential courses that are required for completion of the degree in pharmacy. Failure to provide a clean check can lead to delays or even the inability to fulfill these course requirements. This may lead to an inability to complete the program within the specified five-year period. Any failure or inability to complete the program within five years may be cause for Requirement to Withdraw from the program. Academic Performance for Graduation: Students must achieve Satisfactory Academic Standing in their final year of the program; present credit (CR or a minimum University of Alberta grade of D or equivalent) in all program requirements; and present a graduation average of at least 2.1. The graduation average is a cumulative measure of a student's grade points obtained while registered in the Faculty in all years and terms, including Spring/Summer. It is the quotient of (a) the total number of grade points earned by a student in courses credited to the degree and (b) the total weight of those courses. Degree With Distinction: Degrees with Distinction shall be awarded to students who achieve a overall GPA of 3.5 or higher on all courses taken in the program.
Students on Academic Warning as a result of acquiring Conditional Standing will clear their Academic Warning upon passing the repeated courses and will qualify for promotion if they achieve Satisfactory Standing on the basis of all courses taken during Fall, Winter, and Spring terms. Students who fail a course a second time will be required to withdraw from the program. Required to Withdraw: Any student failing to obtain a minimum GPA of 2.1 in any academic year is required to withdraw from the program. Such students are not normally readmitted to the program. Students who fail to provide satisfactory criminal record checks in connection with any practicum placement, or who fail to complete their degree requirements within the five calendar years, may be required to withdraw from the program. Probation: Students who have been required to withdraw and who have successfully appealed that decision will be placed on Probation and required to repeat the program year. To clear probation and qualify for promotion, the student must achieve a C+ minimum grade in all courses taken AND a minimum GPA of 2.7. Students who fail to meet these requirements will be immediately Required to Withdraw and registration will be cancelled. Only one year of probation is allowed while registered in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Appeals and Grievances: Decisions on academic standing are made by the Faculty Council. Appeals may be made to the Academic Appeals Committee. Certain academic standing decisions made by the Faculty Academic Appeals Committee may be appealed to the General Faculties Council Academic Appeals Committee. Enquiries concerning standing in individual courses should be made to the professor in charge of the course. If the issue is still not resolved, the student may report the matter to the Office of the Dean for enquiry. See Appeals and Grievances for further information. The Faculty's regulations governing academic appeals and grade appeals may be obtained in the Dean's Office. See the Appeals Policies and Procedures document here. Leave of Absence: Unless enrolled in a combined degree program, students must register in the pharmacy program on a continuous basis to ensure a place in the program. The Faculty does, however, recognize that important life events do occur that may prompt a student to request a Leave of Absence. Students who desire a temporary discontinuation of their program must obtain prior approval for a Leave of Absence by submitting a request to Student Services.
Examinations Exams will primarily be conducted using a web-based exam software called PharmExam. Exams will be administered in either on campus computer labs, lecture theatres with Faculty provided devices, or at home on your personal device using a virtual exam proctoring software called Secure Exam Monitor (SEM). Regardless of how exams are administered, they are meant to be completed individually. Additional information about exam taking policy and procedures will be provided at your orientation and through demonstrations and communications throughout the year. The Faculty and the University also have full guidelines for conduct of examinations, deferred examinations and rewrites of examinations. If on the day of the assessment you are ill to the point of being incapacitated, have a severe domestic affliction, or other compelling situation occurs on the day of an examination, you are advised to miss the examination. It can be rescheduled at another time. Physician’s notes are not required, although the Faculty may require you to obtain a statement from a Commissioner of Oaths to backup your claim of being unable to write the examination on the basis of being incapacitated. Note the following: ● The Faculty will not pre-approve deferred examinations or make-up assessments; applications for excusals can be made only after the assessment has been missed. ● Deferred examination privileges are not guaranteed; they may be denied in cases when facts are available that any of the above-mentioned excuses are not in order or are being excessively used. What should you do if you must miss a course assessment (worth 5% or more) due to one of the reasons given above? 1. Students should first notify the course instructor of the absence via email, within 48 hours of the missed assessment. 2. Instructors are to advise students to access the forms from your Virtual Student Services eClass and submit an Excused Absence Request form to Student Services (phstud@ualberta.ca) if the missed assessment is worth 5% of more. The form under normal circumstances is to be completed and submitted to Student Services within two business days of the missed graded term work. 3. The request will be reviewed and judged in context with university regulations outlined in the calendar. 4. Students and Instructor(s) of Record will be notified as to the decision and how the situation will be handled by email, within 48 hours of submission.
5. If you have missed an assessment that is not a final examination but still worth 5% or more, an Excused Absence Request form should be completed and emailed to Student Services within 2 business days, or as soon as you are able. This form can be filled out and printed then signed (in person or electronic). If approved, this means in most cases that the worth of the assessment may be transferred to the final examination, which may be longer than the final examination written by the rest of the class. This would permit questions to be asked based on the first part of the course that would have been normally assessed based on the missed assessment. The Faculty sets specific dates for deferred exams that are listed in your course syllabi. Make note of these dates to make sure you are available for any granted deferrals. Decisions made regarding deferrals are made by the Dean’s office, and may not be appealed. Dealing with Poor Academic Performance Within its ability, the Faculty strives to inform students in a proactive manner when it becomes aware of information that serves as a warning that a student may be of risk at falling into the serious category of being “Required to Withdraw.” Grades are reviewed at the conclusion of the Fall term of courses. Where it is felt that a student may be potentially at risk (attainment of a Fall Term GPA of 2.4 or lower) a letter is sent to the student to remind them of Faculty policy. Within the letter is advice that the student should consider to help them increase their academic standing. If you receive such a letter, please consider it thoughtfully. It is intended to be of assistance, and not to be a form of embarrassment or punishment. Although students ending year one or two with a cumulative Fall/Winter GPA of 2.1 to 2.4 are not sent such notices at the end of the academic year, such students should be cognizant that if their performance stays at that level in their next year of studies, the risk of being required to withdraw could reappear in the coming academic year. Such students are encouraged to reflect on how they might improve their grades in the subsequent academic year. Few of us will be able to be at our best in all courses; this is typical for most students enrolled in Pharmacy, which can at times be a very difficult and demanding program of study. For learning difficulties you have with specific content you are encouraged to speak to the course coordinator or instructor. This may help improve performance in specific courses. In a more general sense, common reasons for overall poor academic performance include overextending oneself with extracurricular activities (this may include employment), domestic situations (social and financial stressors), and in some cases study habits not commensurate with success in pharmacy courses.
The faculty offers an optional faculty advisor program where students are matched with one of the academic staff with whom you should consider conferring over academic attainment concerns. They may be able to assist you with study habit issues. Professors are not professional counsellors and this should be kept in mind if domestic issues are hindering academic performance. For such issues it is recommended that students make use of services available through our faculty's psychologist (you can be referred through Student Services) or in Counselling & Clinical Services; the professionals servicing students within this unit are properly trained to assist students with such difficulties. There is another unit on campus that can assist students with learning issues, called the Academic Success Centre. They can assist with study habits, and in some cases through a specialized unit, Accessibility Resources, are able to help students to cope with certain types of physical or psychological disabilities that may be hindering grade performance. Grading System The University utilizes a letter grading system with a four-point scale of numerical equivalents for calculating grade point averages. Grade points reflect judgments of student achievement performance in a class. The instructors mark in terms of raw scores, rank the papers in order of merit, and assign an appropriate grade to each paper.
How are Grades Assigned? This may vary from course to course. Although grades are not scaled (e.g. set to a normal or otherwise preset distribution), in our Faculty letter grades are primarily assigned on the basis of the student’s relative rank based on the overall percentage score achieved on the sum of all course assessments (examinations, quizzes, assignments, etc.). Breaks in the distribution are typically used to define each grade category, into which is considered the percentage width of each grade cohort (i.e. the percentage range of the A- grades will be approximately the same as the percentage range of the B- range of grades). The Faculty has tended to allot higher grades in comparison to those awarded by most other faculties. Pass/Fail Courses There are a small number of courses that are not graded according to the letter grade system, but are rather pass/fail courses. Currently these are almost exclusively restricted to the experiential courses. Any student who fails to achieve a grade of CR in more than two of the required experiential courses on the first attempt will be Required to Withdraw from the program. Grade Appeals If faced with an error in tally of a percent score, professors will correct such errors and if the outcome leads to a change in assigned letter grade (upwards or downwards) they will process a change of grade form. It is possible to formally appeal a grade in a course. Acceptable reasons for filing a grade appeal are typically verifiable evidence of unfair bias against the student (e.g. improper grading of an examination) on the part of the assessor leading to an unjustifiably low grade. Appealing a grade on the basis of the application of the grading system (i.e. the student feels they wound up on the wrong side of the cut-off for a letter grade designation based on the placement of the cut-off point alone) is not appealable. Policies and procedures regarding Appeals proceedings are available from the Faculty office. Students are permitted to view their final examinations providing that they understand that this is for educational purposes only. If the student intends to view the final examination with the intent to raise their grade, the student is instructed to formally request an examination reappraisal. Details regarding this procedure can be found here. A fee is required for a reappraisal. Calculating GPA The year-by-year GPA is calculated by the registrar’s office. Although Pass/Fail courses are not used in the calculation of GPA, all courses must be passed in order to qualify for graduation from the program.
Practicums As a student in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, experiential placement courses take place off-campus. The placements occur in professional practice settings such as community and hospital pharmacies, and other novel practice sites such as ambulatory clinics and long-term care sites, to help the student receive the necessary minimum training for pharmacy practice. The University of Alberta is the only university in the province of Alberta that provides the education to become a pharmacist and, accordingly, sites are used province-wide. Students should expect to take at least one experiential course in a rural practice site more than 50 km outside of Edmonton or Calgary. Based on availability, students may need to complete more than one placement in a rural or suburban location. These placements, which are a fundamental part of the PharmD, are associated with extra expenses on the student’s part, including housing and transportation, although some scholarship and/or bursary support may be available. The initial assignment of sites is made in a fair and unbiased fashion by the Faculty with the aid of a computer-based system that considers student choices as much as possible. The Faculty recruits all experiential education sites, and students are not permitted to approach pharmacists directly to be preceptors. Students in 4th year practicums are not permitted to participate in scheduled university breaks throughout the regular academic year. Intervention Policy The dean, or delegate of the dean, may immediately deny assignment of a student to, withdraw a student from, or vary terms, conditions or site of a practicum/clinical placement if the dean or supervisor has reasonable grounds to believe that this is necessary in order to protect the public interest. Refer to the Practicum Intervention Policy for additional information. Practicum Requirements Registration with Alberta College of Pharmacy The Pharmacy and Drug Act requires that student pharmacists be registered on the Student Register (restricted practitioners) with the Alberta College of Pharmacy in order to practice in the exclusive scope areas of pharmacy to which they are exposed in a clinical rotation. All fees and other costs associated with this registration are the responsibility of the student. Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Search Students should be aware that under The Protection for Persons in Care Act, they can be required to satisfy a criminal records check before being allowed to serve a period of internship, practicum placement, work experience, or to complete a course requirement.
Refer to our website for more information. Students will be required to satisfy a criminal records check at entrance into the undergraduate program of the Faculty in order to meet placement requirements. Subsequent criminal records checks must be satisfied for all practicum placements where it is required by the site, including all institutional site placements. All fees and other costs associated with obtaining security record checks are the responsibility of the student. An inability to place a student in a practicum because of a criminal records issue may result in a failure to graduate despite a satisfactory academic standing. CPR Certification Students in the Faculty must obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Level C and a certificate in First Aid (Standard or Emergency First Aid) by the end of March (last business day) of first year of the program and prior to clinical placements. Students must maintain valid certification for both CPR Level C and First Aid until they graduate. Students taking injection training must upgrade their CPR training to Level C before they can perform injections. Please note that CPR Level C with First Aid meets the requirements for providing injections. All fees and other costs for CPR/First Aid certification are the responsibility of the student. Immunization and Blood Borne Pathogens Policy To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient health and safety, the Faculty requires vaccination against, or proof of immunity to, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), and hepatitis B. As well, a one-step tuberculin skin test is required in the first year of the program. If additional vaccinations are required by placement sites, students will be made aware of this requirement in advance of commencing their placement(s). After completion of their training, students from health sciences faculties may be required to have tuberculin testing as part of their employment in a healthcare facility. It is recommended that all testing and vaccination be performed or confirmed by the University Health Centre. Blood-borne Pathogens The University of Alberta recognizes its duty to minimize the risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens to/by individuals studying/working at the University. The university recognizes, however, that it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of infection. The Faculty follows the University policies concerning blood borne pathogens. These recommendations will be reviewed and adapted as further information on blood borne pathogens becomes available. Any exposure to human blood/body fluids should be reported immediately according to the University of Alberta protocols. Refer to the Faculty Office for guidance.
Placement Procedures As stated above, as a student pharmacist you will need to complete experiential courses. This means that you will be assigned to pharmacies and hospitals across Alberta to receive training from practicing pharmacists (or other health professionals) at various times throughout the program. Please visit the Preceptor Course Information section of our website for an outline of each of the 6 required placements. Placement assignments are made primarily based on student preferences using an unbiased computer matching system. Because not all choices can be matched, however, the Faculty expects that you accept whatever assignment is allocated to you by the site selector. Your acceptance of our admission offer acknowledges that you understand this critical aspect of the curriculum. For planning purposes, you need to be aware that PHARM 354 and PHARM 454 are offered only in Spring Term (it is possible some Pharm 454 placements are also available in Summer term - you will be made aware prior to selecting what time frames are available). This means that you must register for the additional session and pay the appropriate tuition at that time. Moreover, participating placement sites, both community and institutional, are located throughout Alberta. Students are responsible for extra costs including housing and travel costs, as well as additional tuition for 354/454 (4 credit courses) and 554/555/556/557 (8 credit courses). Some sites may require access to a vehicle. The procedures governing practicum and placements for our faculty are referenced in the University Calendar and provided in a procedures manual. Any request to change a placement after it is assigned may result in this placement being delayed thereby delaying your graduation. Site protocols: Students on volunteer or practicum placements are required to follow the administrative procedures and regulations (including dress requirements) of the placement site. The Policy and Procedure Manual for the PharmD program is located HERE. Accommodations: Students requiring accommodations for placements must register with Accessibility and Accommodation Services prior to matching. Accessibility and Accommodation Services will provide students and Student Services with a "Letter of Accommodation". FoPPS Student Services will schedule meetings with students who have approved accommodations once letters are received to discuss individual requirements and how needs will be met.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Current information indicates that there is a potential risk of transmission of hepatitis B from practitioner to patients in the clinical experience in practice settings. Therefore, students are required to be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen by a personal physician or a physician at University Health Centre. Students who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen will be further tested to help determine infectivity risk. Students who test positive for the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen shall not require hepatitis B surface antigen testing. For those students who test negative to hepatitis B surface antigen and are registered in the Pharmacy program, hepatitis B vaccination will be required. An exception will be made for those who have medical contraindications or for those who already have proof of hepatitis B immunity. After vaccination, students will be tested to determine if they have developed immunity. If they have not, further hepatitis B vaccination and counseling will be determined by the University Health Centre. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Current evidence-based research data indicate that transmission of HIV and HCV from a health care worker to a patient in a health care setting is extremely rare, although transmission from patients to a healthcare worker is more common. Mandatory testing for HIV and HCV is not recommended at this time. N95 Respirator Fit Testing Students with potential exposure to airborne infectious agents during clinical placement are required to be fit tested for N95 respirators, as required by the clinical placement facility. The Experiential Education Coordinators will contact you to arrange fitting. The College of Health Sciences is pleased to offer mask fittings to students. One may also get their mask fitting tests done at any off-campus providers such as Second Chance First Aid and Edmonton First Aid. For students who may get N95 fit tested from a private vendor, it is your responsibility to ensure that the masks used are AHS/ Covenant Health approved. Approved models are (as of July 23, 2025): 3M brand models; 1870+ , 1860, and 1860s, Kimberley Clark 46727 & 46827(s) N95 respirators Please contact the Experiential Education Coordinators at phexed@ualberta.ca for questions or concerns.
Demonstrate regard for others’ position, responsibility, time, and knowledge Demonstrate respect for and sensitivity to others Work well with others 3. Honesty and Integrity Demonstrate honesty, forthrightness, and trustworthiness Model ethical behaviour 4. Commitment to Excellence Demonstrate motivation and seek out additional knowledge and skills; strive for excellence without being over-competitive Demonstrate care and concern for others (Professional Behaviour: Adapted from Memorial University, 2017) Professional Appearance: As individual professionals it is important to remember that the way we present ourselves has a direct and real impact on how others perceive us. Our appearance and image can even add or detract from our success in the workplace. The same is true for students within a professional program. This guide is designed to help pharmacy students consider professional appearance and the impact it can have within their workplace and in the practice skills lab environment. This guide is not designed to impose strict rules or a dress code, since what constitutes “professional attire” can be subjective and not the same in all healthcare settings or contexts in which care is provided to patients. The faculty and practice skills team value individual expression and want all of our students to feel comfortable exploring their own professional identity. It is important to remember that individuality and professional appearance are not mutually-exclusive and a balance must be struck between individual expression and professional image. It is important to recognize that what constitutes “professional appearance” is constantly evolving and may vary depending on the context and setting. Therefore, the practice skills team is providing suggestions as to what may constitute unprofessional attire in professional settings and in the skills lab: Light Blue/faded blue jeans (dark wash denim or white denim is acceptable) Ripped/frayed denim, or holes in the knees etc. Athletic wear or beach wear (yoga/jersey knit pants, track pants/joggers, tank tops, shorts)
Pharmacy Code of Professionalism The University of Alberta Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences fosters an academic environment conducive to scientific inquiry and exchange. To that end, students enrolled in the professional pharmacy program are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful towards other students, the learning process, and those who provide academic instruction. Professional demeanor is the cornerstone of the academic community and the greater society. The Faculty will treat departure from this tenant as a serious breach of the Student Code of Conduct. Furthermore, the Faculty is committed to instilling in its students, as part of their sense of professionalism, a desire to adhere to the code of ethics and laws pertaining to the profession of pharmacy. While the institution must create an environment in which professional attributes may be cultivated, each student (as a future member of the profession) also has the duty to observe the laws, uphold the honor of the profession, and accept and practice its ethical standards of conduct. Professionalism Criteria The following is a guideline for expectations of professional behaviour. These expectations are in alignment with the University of Alberta’s Code of Student Behaviour and the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (notably Standard 1). Professional Behaviour: The following are elements of professionalism we expect you to abide by in our program. You: 1. Responsibility, Reliability, Accountability Are punctual and meet deadlines set out Attend mandatory sessions Come prepared for lecture, seminar and lab (ie. complete pre-readings and/or other preparatory work). Please notify the course coordinator in a timely manner if you are unable to attend a seminar or lab (including completing any required paperwork for a missed assessment or other term work) Prioritize activities to fulfill responsibilities and assignments in a timely manner In receiving feedback, take accountability for errors; seek and incorporate feedback In providing feedback, evaluate others in a constructive, clear, and honest manner 2. Respect for Others Dress appropriately with good hygiene (see below) Avoid all use of cell phones or other messaging devices (eg. smart watch) during lab time Keep work area and practice skills lab clean
CONDUCT myself in a professional and ethical manner within the academic and practice setting. ADVOCATE a sense of pride and respect for the profession of pharmacy, while striving to promote the profession amongst my colleagues and the community. MAINTAIN the highest ideals of patient care and professional virtues. SUPPORT my colleagues by actively encouraging commitment to the Alberta College of Pharmacy Code of Ethics. As a student of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, I commit to personally uphold this pledge, along with the Pharmacy Code of Professionalism and hold the health and safety of each patient to be the primary consideration. Integrity in Professional Programs A student’s continued enrollment in the Faculty depends in part on his/her ability to adhere to the provisions of the Standards of Conduct for Students. Students in the University of Alberta's professional programs are not only responsible to uphold the expectations of the University, but are also bound to any professional associations and Code of Ethics for your discipline. Not only are you learning on the job, but you are representing the University of Alberta on that placement site. The Code of Student Behaviour has dedicated a section to students who are on work placements. In practical terms, if you act without integrity on a placement, you are bound by both the Code of Student Behaviour and the Professional Codes of Ethics governing your profession and can face sanctions under either or both. Gross professional misconduct can include behaviours like: ● falsifying patient, client or student records; ● falsifying financial records; ● misrepresenting your activities to officials of your practicum site or to third party officials; ● carelessness or negligence resulting in harm or danger to others; ● receiving or attempting to obtain gifts, payments, drugs or other consideration from others; or ● misleading others into believing you have qualifications or competences that you don't.
Graphic T-Shirts Hats (ball caps, toques, beanies) Athletic footwear (discouraged in lab, but in practice may be acceptable depending on practice setting) Dirty/soiled clothing The use of perfumes, colognes, or other scented products should be minimized. Our general recommendation is to dress “business casual” during skills labs. Note: These examples meet the commonly used description of "business casual". We encourage you to consider this type of dress when exploring your own version of professional attire. While lab coats are not required to be worn within the lab or OSCE exams, we do ask that you wear your pharmacy name tag at all times when you are in the skills lab. This helps instructors and facilitators to get to know your names and your pronouns. Keep in mind that as you complete your experiential placements, certain sites will have requirements for professional attire in place that you must adhere to. If you are unsure if what you are wearing is appropriate, please contact your course coordinator. APSA Code of Professionalism As a student of pharmacy, I recognize the need to build and reinforce a professional identity founded on integrity, ethical behavior, and honour. As a member of the pharmacy community I will pursue all academic and professional endeavors with honesty, integrity, and commitment to the health and well-being of my patients. As a student pharmacist, I will strive to uphold this pledge: DEVELOP a sense of loyalty, duty, responsibility, and accountability to the profession of pharmacy. FOSTER professional competency through self-directed and continual learning. I will strive for high ideals, teamwork, and unity amongst members of the profession and health care community.
Alberta College of Pharmacy Code of Ethics As professionals, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians are challenged and expected to abide by a higher standard of conduct. Ethics are the foundation for professional behavior, actions and attitudes. The ACP Code of Ethics reflects what the pharmacist and pharmacy technician professions stand for and reinforce what is unique about the contributions of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to patients, to society and to their professions. Ethics reflect the soul of each profession. Consistent ethical behavior creates a positive image of the individual that extends to the image of the professions. In contrast, unethical practices and decisions create a negative image of and diminish trust and credibility about the individual and raise suspicion about the professions. The Code of Ethics supports ACP in fulfilling its mandate to protect the public. The Code of Ethics enables the ACP to provide direction to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians faced with ethical dilemmas. The Code of Ethics also allows the ACP to provide guidance to universities and colleges for student curricula. The Code of Ethics serves as a benchmark for monitoring and addressing the conduct of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. PRINCIPLES Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians use their knowledge, skills and resources to • serve patients, • contribute to society, and • act as stewards of their professions. PRINCIPLE I: Hold the well-being of each patient to be my primary consideration PRINCIPLE II: Respect each patient’s autonomy and dignity PRINCIPLE III: Maintain a professional relationship with each patient PRINCIPLE IV: Respect each patient’s right to confidentiality PRINCIPLE V: Respect each patient’s right to healthcare PRINCIPLE VI: Advance public health and prevent disease PRINCIPLE VII: Use health resources responsibly PRINCIPLE VIII: Serve as an essential health resource PRINCIPLE IX: Ensure that I am competent PRINCIPLE X: Act with honesty and integrity PRINCIPLE XI: Demonstrate responsibility for self and other health professionals PRINCIPLE XII: Nurture the profession To view the detailed Code of Ethics , click here.
Student Life Many students can vouch that their program experience is greatly enhanced by the friends that they make along the way. Your four years on this journey will be spent working closely with your classmates, some of whom will become close personal friends. This program has many exciting opportunities for you and your peers. However, there will also be some challenging times, so supporting one another will be crucial. Eventually, you will realize that through everything, you have become a family. Not only will you have your own “pharmily” within your year, you will meet amazing individuals from other cohorts as well. Our senior students are all very excited to meet you. Like you, these students are all approachable and happy to help with anything you need. Whether it’s for advice regarding the years to come, a tutor session for a class, or just a pleasant conversation, it would be advantageous to meet these individuals. Alberta Pharmacy Students’ Association (APSA) APSA is a non-profit organization made up of elected student leaders who offer student-led advocacy, programming, and support to students in the PharmD program. APSA puts on many amazing events throughout the year, so there are many opportunities to meet people from all years of the program. Keep your eyes open for mentions of these events and stay up to date through our Instagram or members-only Discord. The best times in life are when you are with the right people, and since you will be spending the next four years with your classmates, it’s time to get out there and have a great time. We hope you have fun in the program, but don’t forget to study every once in a while – after all, in a few short years, you’ll be pharmacists who are responsible for the health and care of patients. Once students have been admitted to the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, they are strongly encouraged to join and participate in APSA. The mission of APSA is to promote unity among student pharmacists and address their social, academic, and advocacy needs. APSA strives to promote and advance the profession and inspire student pharmacists to become leaders in pharmacy.
Professional ● Career fairs ● Committee involvement ● Mentorship programs ● Community education opportunities ● International student exchanges ● Job opportunities ...and many more!
Social ● Sports tournaments and free intramural sports ● Pharmacy Undergrad Journal Club (PUJC) ● Free events during lunch and after school ● Run for the Cure ● RxFactor ● Blue and Gold ●
Academic ● Educational seminars ● Symposia ● Registration subsidies for conferences ● Workshops
APSA serves the student population through the provision of social, athletic, academic, and professional events and services. APSA advocates for student pharmacists on various issues at numerous levels. In particular, APSA represents the interests of its members to the FoPPS, the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP), the Alberta Pharmacists’ Association (RxA), Canadian Association of Pharmacy Students and Interns (CAPSI), the Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA), and the Canadian Society of Healthcare-Systems Pharmacy (CSHP). The APSA Council is composed of elected student pharmacists who work to serve their student colleagues. Along with representation on multiple committees at the Faculty, University, and professional levels, APSA arranges many opportunities for growth in a variety of areas for its members. These opportunities will be organized and presented throughout the academic year, with the majority of them being free of charge for members. Some examples of the opportunities/functions that APSA may provide are:
Other services APSA provides to its members include used textbook sales, bulk ordering of textbooks and references, locker rentals, the Pharmacy Quarterly newspaper, and a yearbook. In addition, the APSA Council has taken the initiative to expand the number of awards they present to recognize outstanding members and faculty. A list of awards that APSA offers can be found on the website. APSA strives to promote a positive community image for student pharmacists by providing its members with opportunities to give back. Over the last few years, APSA has taken an active role in numerous projects that promote health and the profession to the public, such as Pharmacy Awareness Month (PAM); RxFactor, which raises money for Movember; and our yearly PharmDent Hockey Game, which raises money for a charity chosen each year by the teams. In addition to this, APSA also organizes school presentations for elementary, middle, and high school students on various topics throughout the year. In keeping with an evolving healthcare model that is increasingly multidisciplinary, APSA works with other faculties in the health sciences to foster relationships among future professionals. Throughout the year, events ranging from social gatherings to friendly competitions between faculties will be held. There are many ways to get involved with APSA such as participating in events, joining one of our many committees, or taking on a role within the APSA Council. For more information on how to get involved or about APSA in general, speak to any of the councillors or officers on APSA council or visit the APSA website. The APSA Lounge On top of everything, pharmacy students also have a designated space for rest and relaxation. The APSA Lounge is located on the first floor of the Medical Sciences Building near the Skills lab (MSB 1-15) and APSA-member lockers. The APSA Lounge is a great place to meet up with friends and has microwaves and a fridge that can be used by students. Thanks to the generous donation from faculty members, the APSA Lounge also has a foosball table and a TV with a Wii that includes Super Smash Bros and Mario Kart.
BPSA (Black Pharmacy Students' Association) The mission of the Black Pharmacy Students' Association (BPSA) is to provide a safe space for Black pharmacy students, empower them, and create a strong and extensive network. Specifically, to advocate for and support current and prospective Black pharmacy students. The BPSA's vision is to increase Black representation and engagement in the profession of Pharmacy. Contact BPSA Racheal Edoamen, President (Class of 2027), edoamen@ualberta.ca Check out what the BPSA is doing on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. LGBTQ-PhSC (LGBTQ+ Pharmacy Students Club) The LGBTQ+ Pharmacy Students Club (LGBTQ-PhSC) has made it their mission to provide a safe space for students indentifying as LGBTQ+ to flourish and feel empowered. They specifically aim to support students in their academic endeavours while providing opportunities to bolster their social support network. Most importantly, they work to advocate for the needs and concerns specific to the LGBTQ+ student population. Contact LGBTQ-PhSC Sarah Phan, Co-President (Class of 2026), sxp@ualberta.ca Joseph Lam, Co-President (Class of 2026), jylam1@ualberta.ca Follow LGBTQ-PhSc Instagram:@uofa_lgbtq_phsc
PBL ROOMS Students will have use of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) rooms. 16 PBL rooms are located on the 2nd level of the Medical Science Building for frequent use by instructors to deliver seminars. Students may also use the space for group projects or study, but please check room availability by checking your Google Calendar. Please respect the rooms as they are shared with all the students across all four years. Keep them clean and tidy for the next student who will use it. Keep in mind that there is not enough room to accommodate every student, but sharing rooms with your fellow classmates has been shown to lead to some great times (and learning!). Because it is a privilege for us all to have these rooms, it is pertinent to not share the PBL room code with anyone outside the Faculty. If students share the code with folks outside the Faculty, you could lose access to these spaces. STUDENT SERVICES The Faculty offers a dedicated compliment of staff to provide programs and services to support the well being and academic success of all students enrolled in our Faculty. The Student Services Office is located in MSB 2-55. We're open from 9am-4pm, Monday through Friday . Students are welcome to encouraged to make in-person or virtual appointments through this website. Drop ins are permitted but appointments guarantee the staff person you need will be there. You can contact us through submitting a ticket at uab.ca/portal This is the place for you to get answers to your academic-related questions, program advising, and referrals to external resources. Being a student is hard and comes with a myriad of personal, social, financial, and psychological stresses. Helping students maintain their wellness is a main priority for the faculty and for Student Services. We have a faculty pyschologist who you can be referred to through Student Services. If you need support for things going on within or outside the classroom, you are welcome to come to our office as a safe place to talk. If we cannot help, we can work with you to connect you to resources on or off campus. Resources exist on campus to help students navigate unexpected and emergent financial situations. Please reach out to Student Services for more information. Throughout the year, Student Services will provide forums where guest speakers and special topics are discussed. We endeavor to provide space and time for open and safe conversations with students and Faculty. We look forward to connecting with you!
APSA Awards The Alberta Pharmacy Students Association (APSA) also maintains its own Awards program and Awards Committee. Each year, APSA recognizes outstanding students and faculty members through the presentation of various awards to deserving recipients. Unless otherwise indicated, nominations will be reviewed by the APSA Awards Committee and recipients will be chosen based on each award’s respective criteria. Awards will be presented to recipients at the annual Blue and Gold Ball. More information on APSA awards can be found at the APSA website here. External Awards From time to time, other external awards may be available to undergraduate students. Examples of these awards include: ● CSHP-CAPSI Hospital Pharmacy Student Award ● CPhA Centennial Leadership Award ● A Health Sciences TD Bank Award in Pharmacy ● Herb Dixon Full Steam Ahead Award These awards are external to the University and students may apply as per instructions for these awards.
Financial Aid, Loans, Bursaries, and Student Awards Various forms of financial aid and awards are available to undergraduate students in the Faculty. These may be classified as follows: Student Loans If you would like to apply for a Alberta Student Loans for the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, Student Financial Services has compiled helpful tips and information in a document. Please note: this information is specific to students applying through Alberta Student Aid. If you are applying for a student loan through a province other than Alberta, please contact your province/territory for more information. If you are not sure which province/territory you should apply through please contact Student Connect. Bursaries Supplementary Bursaries are intended to provide financial aid to students who are experiencing a financial shortfall in the current academic year. They are designed to supplement students' existing funds, and are not intended to fully fund students' education. For a complete description of bursaries available to students in the Faculty of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences through the Supplemental Bursaries Program go to the University Scholarships, Awards, & Financial Support website. As each student's shortfall will be ranked against all other bursary applicants, not all students who apply will receive a bursary. Further relevant information regarding the Supplementary Bursaries Program (e.g. eligibility criteria, etc.) is available on the Scholarships, Awards, & Financial Support website. Undergraduate Awards We encourage all undergraduate student pharmacists to complete and submit an application through the Undergraduate Scholarships website by march 31st each year. Ensure that you submit your application to ensure money does not go unawarded! By completing this application, Student Financial Services can ensure all criteria are met.
Library Full details about the University of Alberta Library may be found at: https://www.library.ualberta.ca. The University of Alberta has one of the top academic libraries in North America and is replete with book, journal, and electronic literature related to the pharmacy practice, science, and research. You can access these electronic resources on campus and off-campus using your CCID and password. Some of the required textbooks and resources for pharmacy courses are available as electronic books or online. Interlibrary Loan Interlibrary loan/document delivery service (ILL/DDS) allows our patrons to obtain books and articles not held in the University of Alberta Library system. We can get items from other Canadian libraries, the United States, and internationally. ILL/DDS is available to University of Alberta primary users (students, faculty and staff) to obtain materials not owned by the University of Alberta from another library or supplier. The service is free to our primary users with a valid ONECard. Before making a request, please make sure to verify if the materials are already available within the library system. To request an interlibrary loan, please consult their ILL page. Research Support/Subject Librarians Although students have access to all materials and services at each branch of the University of Alberta Library, the Geoffrey & Robyn Sperber Health Sciences Library located in 1-120 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA) is considered your “main” library. Feel free to reach out to library staff if you have any questions. Librarians with expertise in health sciences information are there to serve you and help you in your research and studies. To help with your information searching, please consult the Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences subject guide. The librarian assigned specifically to liaise with the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is Janice Kung and can be reached by email at Janice.Kung@ualberta.ca. Photocopiers/Printers During regular operational periods these are available in the various libraries on campus. Closely located, students may access the Value Drug Mart Computer Lab as well as in the computer labs located on lower level 1 of Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (ECHA).