Pharmacy Students
PharmD, PharmTox, and Graduate Student Resources

B. Orientation Information

I. Pharmaceutical Sciences Division (PSD) Graduate Student Orientation

Several orientations are scheduled for new Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate students, held in the August prior to the beginning of the fall semester. The Graduate Program Manager (GPM) will be in communication regarding the dates for these events, which vary year to year.

  • General SoP New Graduate Student Orientation A comprehensive, all-day event covering computing, library resources, safety and more.
  • Faculty Research Presentations Pharmaceutical Sciences faculty interested in hosting graduate students for fall rotations present short descriptions of current research projects and their general research direction.
  • Teaching Assistant Orientation
    Details will be communicated via email.
  • The Graduate School also offers many welcome week activities you may wish to participate in. We require that you participate in their workshop about Implicit Bias and Microaggressions.

II. E-mail

  • To establish an e-mail account, visit the “Activate my NetID” website, https://mynetid.wisc.edu/activate
  • Follow the instructions to establish a NetID and password. This will automatically register you for e-mail.
  • If problems occur, contact the DoIT Help Desk at 608-264-4357, or helpdesk.doit.wisc.edu
  • Notify the GPM of your new e-mail address.

III. Box Folder

We will establish a box folder for you as a place to upload electronic versions of program forms throughout your time in the program.

IV. Photo Identification Card (Wiscard)

  • Wiscard is your official UW-Madison identification card.  To obtain Wiscard, students must be registered for at least 6 credits (see the Registration section of the PSD handbook).
  • ID’s are obtained at Union South, 1308 West Dayton St. – Room 149 (Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
  • You must present some sort of valid government-issued ID (drivers license, passport, state or federal ID) when requesting an initial or replacement Wiscard.

V. Bus Passes & Bus Service

  • A free Madison Metro bus pass can be obtained 24 hours after receiving a photo ID
  • Bus passes are distributed through Associated Students of Madison (ASM). Please see their webpage about details on how to obtain your bus pass: https://asm.wisc.edu/buspass/
  • Campus bus lines (80, 81, 82, and 84) are free and do not require a bus pass
  • See Bus Routes and Schedules for more details

VI. Parking on Campus

  • Annual permits (valid Sept. 1 – Aug. 31st) are required for campus parking lots.
  • Handicap parking permits for all campus locations are also available
  • See Parking Permit Information for more details

VII. Building/Laboratory Access

  • Entry through the loading dock door, the freight elevator, and the PSD research tower/labs requires access with your Wiscard. Night and weekend access to Rennebohm Hall will also require your Wiscard.
  • Please email the GPM the last 6 digits on the back of your Wiscard. This will allow us to set up your Wiscard for laboratory card reader access once your rotation schedule is finalized.
  • Please email Josh Cutler if you have any issues once your access has been set up.
  • UW Security officers may ask for your ID (Wiscard) after regular daytime hours if you are working on weekends.

VIII. Registration

  • See the Registration section of the PSD Handbook
  • Contact the Director of Graduate studies (DGS) with any questions you may have.

IX. Stipends, Health Insurance and Benefits

X. Mailboxes

  • Mailboxes are located in the 1st floor hallway near Rennebohm Hall’s north entrance
  • A group mailbox will be assigned to all 1st years for the fall semester. Once you have joined a thesis lab, you will receive your mail in the lab’s mailbox.

XI. Laboratory Safety

XII. Additional Information for UW Graduate Students

Pharmsci Handbook