UNDERGRADUATE PHARMACY STUDENTS
Dear Student Pharmacists,
I write to provide a current update on teaching and examinations for the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Our programs will continue starting on Monday or Tuesday at your instructors' discretion. In class face-to-face teaching including lectures, seminars and laboratories will be replaced by online instruction beginning Monday March 16, 2020. You will hear from the professor coordinating each class on how and exactly when this will be accomplished in each course. For example, lectures may be uploaded onto eClass starting Monday or Tuesday or conducted in real-time over Zoom, Skype or other programs. Some lectures or laboratories may be cancelled. This may differ from class to class so please look for specific communication from the professor in charge of the course offering. So, any scheduled teaching in the pharmacy program will occur, but will be by online provision only. Office hours will continue but will also be done online and face to face meetings will not be held.
As an accredited health program all pharmacy clinical placements and service to patients will continue uninterrupted following Alberta Health Guidelines.
You are reminded of the benefits of social distancing and the requirement of self-isolation should this be deemed clinically necessary after possible exposure and/or return from travel. I understand that many of you will have questions about examinations. Let me confirm that: We will be communicating to all students about examinations as soon as possible and we are preparing to have them all undertaken online. I recommend that all students prepare themselves for examinations that will occur remotely.
I have much empathy for all our international students and those students from out of province and from all over Alberta separated from their loved ones in this time of crisis. As a parent of a university student studying overseas, I sympathize for all those concerned about future travel restrictions that could be placed. I assure you that we are a strong community and we will get through this together.
You will receive updates about this COVID-19 pandemic as it unfolds. In the meantime, I reassure all pharmacy students that your safety and your health is our highest priority. I am proud that the University of Alberta is leading the way in responding to this pandemic and the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is being pro-active with this contagion.
Please be reassured that we will do everything possible to provide support and accommodation to you and your studies. Moving forward, I wish everyone and their friends, family and loved ones good health.
Sincerely,
Neal Davies BSc(Pharm), Ph.D. R.Ph. Dean of Pharmacy
GRADUATE PHARMACY/PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES STUDENTS
Dear Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Graduate Students, Post-Doctoral Fellows, Research Associates and Visiting Professors in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
The University of Alberta will continue to be open on Monday March 16, 2020 for you to conduct your research studies and investigations.
You are reminded of the benefits of social distancing and the requirement of self isolation should this be deemed clinically necessary after possible exposure and or return from international travel. I write to provide a current update on teaching and examinations for graduate students in the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Our programs will continue on Monday, as our classes are all quite small in number all in class face-toface teaching including lectures, seminars and laboratories will continue to be offered by face to face in person instruction as of Monday March 16, 2020. In addition, examinations for graduate students will continue as normal or follow a modified protocol if applicable.
If a professor or instructor is unable to lecture because of the need to self-isolate or sickness you will hear from the professor coordinating each class. Some lectures may be uploaded onto eClass. So, any scheduled teaching or seminars in the FOPPS graduate program will occur for Pharm 573, Pharm 580, Pharm 615 and Pharm 697 under the academic direction of each course coordinator.
I have much empathy for all our international students, investigators, and visitors as well as those from out of province or separated from their loved ones in this time of crisis. As a parent of a university student studying overseas, I sympathize with all those concerned about future travel restrictions that could be placed. I assure you that we are a strong community and we will get through this together. You will receive updates about this COVID-19 pandemic as it unfolds. In the meantime, I reassure all pharmacy and pharmaceutical science graduate students, trainees and visitors that your safety and your health is our highest priority. I am proud that the University of Alberta is leading the way in responding to this pandemic and the Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is being proactive with this contagion.
Please know we will do everything possible to provide support to you and your studies and investigations. I wish everyone and their friends, family and loved ones good health.
Sincerely,
Neal Davies BSc(Pharm), Ph.D. R.Ph. Dean of Pharmacy