Student Handbook - About the School

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School of Pharmacy

About the School

Academic policies and regulations

Academic Policies and Regulations

Professionalism

Professionalism

pharmacy building and blue sky

In 2020, the School of Pharmacy launched its second strategic plan. Read Beyond Expectations, the School of Pharmacy Strategic Plan 2020-2025

Our Vision To lead change for a healthier world
Our Mission To improve medication use and promote better health through experience-based education, discovery, and engagement.

Accreditation status

The Doctor of Pharmacy program of the School of Pharmacy at the University of Waterloo has been awarded Accreditation status by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs for a six-year term ending June 30, 2027.

Support resources

At the School of Pharmacy

Pharmacy Building Access
  • Students are provided with a building access fob on Orientation Day that will permit entry into areas of the pharmacy building that they are authorized to access after hours.
  • Lost building access fobs should be reported to the IT department immediately.
  • Family, friends, and other guests who are not PharmD students are not generally permitted to visit the School. Any approved guests must sign in at the security desk. Those interested in visiting the School may join us at the Fall and or March Open Houses.
  • Student spaces include the first, second, and third floors. Access to the fourth through seventh floors is on appointment basis only and is generally restricted to PharmD students. Note that the seventh lounge is for faculty/staff use.

Fishbowl Study Rooms
  • Book through the MS Bookings page.
  • Select a fishbowl room number under "Select Staff", followed by a date and time.
  • Add your details: first name, last name, a valid email address, and your Waterloo student ID number.
  • Fishbowls are booked in 1-hour timeslots and back-to-back bookings are not permitted. If you require more time, please check availability after your 1 hour slot is completed.
  • For consideration of all students, bookings scheduled back-to-back or made with invalid/incomplete information will be removed.

Contacts

Scent-Free Building
  • There are a number of individuals who are very sensitive to fragrances.
  • Please refrain from using colognes, perfumes, etc. that have a very strong scent as they will cause discomfort to the individual(s) affected.

Peanut-Free Building
  • We strive to be a peanut-free building.
  • Please refrain from bringing products containing peanuts into the School.

Lockers
  • Each pharmacy student is entitled to a locker for use during an academic term.
  • Students are assigned lockers for their use.
  • Inquiries may be directed to phrlobby@uwaterloo.ca

Multi-denominational Prayer Areas
  • There is a quiet area located in the Pharmacy Library (PHR 0013) where pharmacy students can pray. It is operated on a first come, first-served basis.
    • There is also a quiet room located on the third floor of IHB (home of McMaster’s Medical School). If students would like to use this room, please check in with the receptionist on the third floor and let them know you are a pharmacy student.

Society of Pharmacy Students (SOPhS)
  • The Society of Pharmacy Students aims to ensure that pharmacy students have a positive well-rounded experience at the School. There are many opportunities to get involved, either on the Council, through a wide range of committees, or by participating in the extensive intramural athletics program.

Campus Wi-Fi Access
  • Information Systems & Technology (IST) provides wireless service across campus via the Eduroam network. Eduroam securely encrypts data over the air and provides access to wireless networks at other cooperating educational institutions worldwide.

Parking
  • Parking permits are available on a first come, first-served basis. Details are typically communicated to all pharmacy students in advance of the term.
  • Parking Services may be contacted by emailing uparking@uwaterloo.ca.

Taxi Service
  • Students with concerns about getting home safely may access the taxi service.
  • Available Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. from the School of Pharmacy to (or close to) your home (maximum $20.00 worth). 
  • This service is run by the Student Security Service out of UW Police Services and students fund this service through the Student Services Fee.  This service is intended to replicate the off-campus shuttle service available on main campus. 
  • See security personnel to book a taxi.

Student IT Services

Other
  • See WUSA's transportation page for information on the Fed Bus and GRT UPass
School of Pharmacy

Additional Waterloo campus resources

The School of Pharmacy is part of the Faculty of Science. Therefore, as a PharmD student, you are also a student of the University of Waterloo at large and have access to many campus resources.

Campus Wellness
  • Counselling Services through Campus Wellness provides programming and services to help you lead a healthy and balanced life. They strive to provide a secure, supportive, environment for students of all orientations and backgrounds. Services are provided at no charge in a private and confidential setting to pharmacy students are enrolled in an academic of co-op work term.
  • Appointments with Counselling Services' counsellor Emma Boynton are available in person at the School of Pharmacy on select dates/times. Email your pharmacy advisors for more information.
  • Health Services aims to provide convenient, confidential and comprehensive medical care to registered students at Waterloo. They work in coordination with other health-related services on campus and in the Kitchener-Waterloo community.

The Centre
  • Located in Needles Hall South (NH), The Centre is your go-to place for many administrative, financial, and registrarial needs.
  • See them for official documents (transcripts, letter of enrolment, diplomas), record updates (i.e., name change), financial inquiries, WatCard, Service Canada, and general questions.

Financial Matters

Tuition/ Fees Information
  • Tuition and fees are managed by the University of Waterloo Student Financial Services Office.

Housing
  • The Department of Housing and Residences supports pharmacy students who are interested in living on the University's main campus during the academic terms. Rooms may be available in suite-style, traditional-style, or townhouse residences.
  • Learn more about Off-Campus Housing.

Student Success Office (SSO)
  • The mandate of the Student Success Office (SSO) is to provide and facilitate strategic student support for academic and personal success.

Writing & Communication Centre
  • The Writing Centre is a teaching and resource centre for all undergraduate and graduate students. They offer writing development through one-on-one consultations, tutorials and drop-in sessions. They are located in the Student Success Office in South Campus Hall on the second floor.

AccessAbility Services
  • AccessAbility Services (AAS) provides information, academic accommodations and support services to students with mental or physical disabilities. Their goal is to create a successful educational experience and to promote equitable access to programs, services and facilities at Waterloo.
  • Pharmacy students registered with AAS are managed by the pharmacy advisors, specifically, Becky Ewan. Interested in learning more? Contact pharmacy.advisor@uwaterloo.ca.

Centre for Career Development
  • The Centre for Career Development (CCD) provides resources, programming and appointments to support you through all aspects of your professional development, including interview and resume preparation. 

WUSA
  • The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association represents undergrads at the University of Waterloo. This student-led organization provides the services and support you need to reach your academic goals and make the most of your university experience.
  • In addition to the services they provide directly to Waterloo undergrads, they also coordinate some other helpful supports that are available to you as members of WUSA from some third-party vendors. These include health and dental coverage, access to 24/7 mental health support and legal advice, as well as your student bus pass.

Other Student Services
  • The University of Waterloo offers a variety of services and programs designed to help students succeed. These services range from athletics to theatre. Come and experience all aspects of university life.
three pharmacy students looking at a computer