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Return to: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences has a long and proud history of achievement. It began as a department in the Faculty of Medicine on April 13, 1914. Two programs were offered at that time, a one-year Licensing Diploma (discontinued in 1918) and a two-year PhmB degree. In 1917 the Department became a School under the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. The first three graduates of the newly approved Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree program obtained their degrees in 1921. The School continued to grow and prosper over the next two decades, with jurisdiction returning to the Faculty of Medicine in 1939. The School received Faculty status in 1955 and moved from a three to a four year program in 1969. Pharmacy became a five-year program (four years in the Faculty plus one preprofessional year) in the 1989-1990 academic year, and is planning a six-year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program (four years in the Faculty plus two preprofessional years) pending approval. For further information on the PharmD see the Pharmacy website at pharm.ualberta.ca.
From the beginning, faculty members hired in pharmacy have had a focus on scholarship and thus graduate studies and research have always been strengths of the Faculty. A 1961 PhD graduate represented the first PhD degree granted by a School or Faculty of Pharmacy in Canada. In recognition of its flourishing graduate program in pharmaceutics, the Faculty received a new title in 1968: The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Since 1970, the Faculty has been active in the delivery of professional development programs for pharmacists.
The Faculty’s Vision is: Excellence and innovation in pharmacy education and research through learning, discovery and citizenship.
The Faculty’s Mission is: To provide pharmacy and graduate education designed to meet societal needs for safe and effective use of medications and to cultivate research and pharmacy practice.
The Faculty:
- Fosters high quality education and ongoing development of students and post-doctoral fellows
- Conducts world-class research in the basic and applied pharmaceutical sciences, clinical pharmacy sciences, and health services
- Seeks advancements and excellence in practice, research and education
- Partners with the profession, policy makers, other Faculties and Universities, and the public
Each year the Faculty admits 131 students who have met the prerequisite requirements and currently has about 55 graduate students. There are about 40 teaching and research faculty members. Our students excel nationally and have established a reputation of achieving and being rewarded for excellence.
A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) for Practicing Pharmacists program is available at the University of Alberta. This program includes one term of didactic coursework followed by additional experiential education placements that can only take place after the completion of a BSc (Pharmacy) program. The didactic courses in the part-time program are scheduled over 18 months. Students in the PharmD program have five years to complete the degree’s requirements. Licensure for the practice of pharmacy does not require the PharmD degree but it will help graduates to:
- advance their career, and become leaders in the Pharmacy profession
- demonstrate a competitive advantage when applying for unique and interesting positions
- create and shape their career through innovative patient focused practices
- develop the skills and knowledge to become an advanced practitioner
- information and clinical judgment to inform decisions
- possess the skills to be able to make a difference in complex pharmacotherapeutic situations
For more information see the Pharmacy website at www.pharm.ualberta.ca.
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