COURSE CURRICULUM

The Pharmacy Technician Diploma program at Bow Valley College consists of four rigorous terms designed to prepare students for professional practice in both community and hospital pharmacy settings. In Term 1, students build foundational knowledge through courses such as English Composition, Pharmacy Theory, Jurisprudence and Ethics, Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care I, Pharmacy Calculations I, and Prescription Processing. A minimum grade of A- is required in the latter two to progress. Term 2 deepens this knowledge with Pharmacotherapy and Patient Care II, Community Pharmacy Practice, and Hospital Pharmacy Practice. Students must again earn A- grades in Pharmacy Calculations II and Community Dispensing Lab I to meet the program’s high standards. Term 3 emphasizes lab-based, hands-on learning with Community Dispensing Lab II, Extemporaneous Compounding Lab, Hospital Dispensing Lab, and Sterile Production Lab, alongside the Innovative Pharmacy Practice course. A- grades are required for all lab courses in this term. In the final term, students complete Specialized Pharmacotherapy and a preparatory course titled Entry to Pharmacy Practice. The program concludes with two immersive practicum experiences: Community Pharmacy Practicum and Hospital Pharmacy Practicum, each worth 4 credits. These placements provide real-world exposure to pharmacy environments, ensuring students graduate with relevant, job-ready skills and meet regulatory expectations for licensure and certification.