Academic Calendar 2004
(New Academic Choices)

Medical students are subject to the policies and regulations of The University of Western Ontario, as outlined in the general Academic Calendar, in addition to the policies of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

The principal function of student evaluation in the MD Program is to assess competence and provide feedback for student learning. For the purpose of reporting performance, a Pass/Fail grade is used for each course. Letter or percentage grades may be used for the purpose of enhancing feedback at a departmental level. Students' attitudes and ethics also form part of the assessment and unethical behavior or irresponsible and inappropriate conduct may constitute grounds for a failing grade.

Evaluation throughout the curriculum takes two forms:

Evaluations for feedback occur in the assessment of group participation, written examinations and laboratory practical evaluations.

Evaluation for progression occurs at least once in each course. Evaluation may include an assessment of the quality of each student's group participation.

During Clerkship and Clinical Science Options, evaluation for feedback and progression occurs daily as the clerk interacts with house staff and clinical faculty. Frequent observation during patient care activities forms the basis for such feedback. A variety of evaluation tools are used for progression during each rotation which include but are not limited to written, oral and clinical examinations.

Evaluation of Transitional Period is based on student participation, assignments and written evaluations. Successful performance on the comprehensive examination (OSCE) is required to fulfill the requirements of Year 4.

The comprehensive examination (OSCE) will test students' mastery of the overall objectives of the clerkship. This evaluation will assess students' knowledge, clinical skills, professional conduct and clinical reasoning using simulated clinical settings.

To satisfactorily complete each year, and to progress to the next year or to graduation, a student must meet the following requirements:

• For Year 1, students must pass all course work, assignments, examinations of each course in the year, as defined by the Course Coordinator(s).
• For Year 2, students must pass all course work, assignments, examinations of each course in the year, as defined by the Course Coordinator(s).
• For Year 3(Integrated Clinical Clerkship), students must pass all Clinical Rotations.
• For Year 4, students must pass the Observed Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), all Clinical Science Options and must meet the requirements of the Transitional Period (final 12 weeks of the program) to pass Year 4.

In Years 1, 2, 3, 4, courses are given weights equivalent to their length.

A student who has failed may be eligible to be considered for a period of remediation (either a study period or specific remedial program) followed by supplemental examination (reassessment which may be written, oral, and/or clinical in nature). Such supplemental privilege is in no way the right of the student, but rather is a permission granted by decision of the Undergraduate Medical Education Education Progression, Appeals & Awards Committee. The period and scheduling of remediation is a decision of the Undergraduate Medical Education Progression, Appeals & Awards Committee. The supplemental examination(s) will immediately follow the remediation. In years 1 & 2 the supplemental examination(s) must be passed on the first attempt and prior to the start of the next academic year in order for the student to remain in the program.

A student who has failed a single clinical rotation in Year 3 who has been granted permission to remediate, will be permitted to remediate during the scheduled time for Clinical Science Options in Year 4.

A student who fails the Observed Structured Clinical Exam and has been granted permission to remediate will be permitted to remediate at the conclusion of the Transition Period.

Permission for remediation and supplemental examination will be considered only when following conditions both exist:

The maximum period of remediation will be:

Achievement of pass in a supplemental examination does not delete the original grade of FAIL from the student record. A grade of SRP (Supplemental Examination/Remedial Work passed) will be separately recorded on the student record.

A student who has not met the requirements listed under "Satisfactory Progression" shall be required to withdraw from the medical program for any of the following reasons:

Note:
Students wishing to appeal against a decision of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry should refer to the Academic Rights and Responsibilities section of Western's Academic Calendar.

The criteria for receiving a "passing" grade will be clearly identified at the start of each course. While percentage grades or letter grades may be used within courses for the purpose of student feedback, an Pass/Fail system is used to identify performance for progression and graduation. The key to this grading scheme is as follows: