Top Pharmacy Schools in Canada Part 2 – University of Waterloo, School of Pharmacy
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the best pharmacy schools in Canada. Please note that this is Part 2 of a 5 part series. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
Medications, while very beneficial, can do a person more harm if he takes it wrongfully. Whether it’s a matter of taking the wrong route, time or dosage, it can spell disaster rather than cure.
Preventing these untoward events are just some of the many key roles of a pharmacist. Apart from dispensing
medications as prescribed by the doctor, he is in charge of instructing the patients on the correct way of taking these drugs.
With the many important roles that a pharmacist plays, it is but necessary for an aspiring professional to get the best education and instruction, should he decide to pursue a career in Pharmacy. So if you are contemplating on delving into this exciting occupation, then read on below to figure out why the University of Waterloo should be your top choice for quality Pharmacy education.
About the University of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy
U. of Waterloo’s School of Pharmacy is the newest institution to offer Pharmacy in Canada. Despite its novel status, it offers one of the most innovative curriculums in North America.
The School of Pharmacy is not only the anchor institution of Waterloo’s Health Sciences Campus, it is also the location of the regional program McMaster University’s School of Medicine.
Why choose University of Waterloo?
Pharmacy is one of the oldest courses offerings in the world, and one of the most commonly-offered degrees by universities in Canada. With the many options for budding Pharmacists like you, you might ask, why should I go for the University of Waterloo? The answers to this question are all explained below:
The University features an innovative curriculum.
As it has been established, Waterloo offers the most innovative Pharmacy curriculum Canada and the entire North America. The course teaches the students the importance of problem-solving skills, communication skills and collaboration in order to achieve high-quality healthcare.
The curriculum also integrates the key concepts of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences with clinical, behavioral and social sciences. With these course offerings, the University can help you develop all the skills necessary for you to become an excellent pharmacist.
The University offers a beneficial Co-op Program.
Experience is essential for any work, most importantly in the field of Pharmacy. At Waterloo, you can gain firsthand experience in the fields of community pharmacy, industrial pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, long-term care and
government practice. With Waterloo education, you can obtain the skills and experience that can make you one of Canada’s best pharmacists.
The University gives its students a chance to practice their skills.
The School of Pharmacy houses a Primary Teaching Clinic where its students and learners from other faculties can apply their newfound knowledge on real-life situations. While they are given the independence to practice their skills, they are supervised and guided by the University’s esteemed faculty members.
The University employs respected and reputable faculty members.
“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” – Mark Van Doren
And discover they shall.
Waterloo’s highly-regarded faculty members do not only mold the future Pharmacist leaders of tomorrow, they also inspire them to make breakthrough discoveries in terms of education and research. The school’s professors’ specializes in different fields, and as such, they can help mold and create future experts in the many disciplines of Pharmacy.
The University plays home to state of the art facilities.
One factor that makes Waterloo’s Pharmacy program the best in the country is its state of the art facilities. To support the school’s mission of generating new knowledge through research, the university has provided sophisticated, state of the art machines and equipment for student and faculty use.
These novel devices help researchers conduct their studies, and at the same time the use of these sophisticated machines can help prepare its students for the career path that lies ahead.
The University makes use of high-tech educational resources.
Gone are the days when students have to scribble their reports on blackboards and whiteboards, with fears of their hard work being erased unintentionally by the school janitor.
At Waterloo, you can learn efficiently with the school’s high-tech educational resources. Students and teachers are free to use the university’s Christie projectors, Creston Touch Panel-controlled equipment, Polycom video conferencing devices, SMART document cameras and Smart board products.
The University utilizes up-to-date Pharmacy software
To foster innovative learning in its students, the School of Pharmacy offers 50 computer terminals equipped with the latest programs that are only utilized in Canadian pharmaceutical labs and pharmacies. With access to such technology, a Waterloo student is able to adapt with the technical competencies required – whether it is in the community, hospital or industrial setting.
The University is dedicated to pursue Pharmaceutical research.
More and more sicknesses and strains develop everyday. As a pharmacist, you need to be one step ahead in order to foil such diseases at their tracks. Waterloo stands by to this commitment by hosting studies that aim to improve the state of health. By studying at Waterloo, you can take part in revolutionary researches that can change the face of healthcare as we know it.
Your Pharmacy School Checklist – Why Waterloo is the Best School for you!
- The 4-year Bachelor’s Degree serves as your ticket to a challenging graduate degree: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD.)
- It features a revolutionary Co-op Program, the first of its kind in Canada!
- Waterloo students get to enjoy a wealth of opportunities upon graduation. Pharmacy students can choose from any of the following paths: public policy, clinical patient care, industrial pharmaceutics, research, education and clinical specializations in pediatrics or infectious diseases.
- You can access your professor’s previous lectures (recorded with Sony HD motorized cameras) through Waterloo’s Pharmtube portal.
- Waterloo offers free downloads of Windows 7, Microsoft Security Essentials and Symantec EndPoint Protection to its students to help them catch up with the university’s IT systems.
- Waterloo provides financial assistance to its students. The university bridges its students with institutions that offer low lines of credit. Bursaries and scholarships are available as well.
- The School of Pharmacy is housed in a new and revolutionary building designed by Architect Siamak Hariri of Hariri Pontarini Architects. Completed in the year 2008, the building makes use of natural lighting and organic materials to create a welcoming aura for its students and teachers.
Lastly,
Despite its young age, the School of Pharmacy is already recognized as one of the world’s best. It is already slated in the top 100-150 bracket out of the thousands of universities offering Pharmacy in Canada and the entire world. According to the recent QS survey, the School of Pharmacy enjoys a score of 79.6 for employer reputation, 58.6 for citations per paper, and 54.8 for academic reputation.
Pharmacy is an exciting career that enables you to help people, discover new drugs and improve the over-all state of healthcare. At Waterloo, you can do all these – and more! When it comes to Pharmacy education, Waterloo is truly Canada’s best.
Please note that this is Part 2 of a 5 part series. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.
