Course and Instructor Evaluations
The University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC), The Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) faculty and administrators rely on student input to maintain and enhance the quality of the curricula. Students are responsible for providing constructive evaluations of each course in which they are enrolled, as well as of the course instructor(s).
Summaries of end-of-course evaluations and student comments are published and available to faculty and administrators after the completion of the course. Student comments and course/faculty evaluations are regularly viewed by faculty and administrators to inform curricular decisions. At the end of each year 1 and 2 course, students are asked to complete a course evaluation. When a course has multiple instructors, students are encouraged to evaluate each instructor. Evaluations for all clinical rotations and practical experiences must be completed within 30 calendar days following the end of the experience. Students should consult the course syllabus for specific requirements related to that course.
Course Learning Objectives
Students are expected to accomplish the learning objectives for each course in the curriculum. Learning objectives are provided in the syllabus for each course along with instructional opportunities to acquire those objectives. All assessments including exams and quizzes will be based on those learning objectives.
Failed Course and Remediation
The opportunity to remedy academic deficiencies at other than regularly scheduled course times may be extended to medical students. Remediation may occur based upon the recommendations of the Student Performance Committee (SPC).
- A deficiency in any preclinical course occurring in semesters 1 through 4 must be remediated before beginning the next semester.
- A deficiency in a clinical clerkship must be remediated prior to graduation.
For students initially admitted prior to 2016 the student must earn a final course grade of “70”. Failure to earn a grade of “70”, or better, in a remediated course is grounds for dismissal from TCOM. The date and time of any remedial examination will be determined by Testing Services in consultation with the Curriculum Director and Course Director. For students initially admitted in 2016 or later, the student must earn a final course grade of H or P. Failure to earn a grade of H or P, in a remediated course is grounds for dismissal from TCOM. The date and time of any remedial examination will be determined by Testing Services in consultation with the Curriculum Director and Course Director.
When a course is repeated or remediated, all attempted credit hours and earned grade points are counted in computing the cumulative weighted average. A notation on the transcript is placed next to these courses to indicate that these courses have been repeated or remediated.
- In the event that a student fails a course, he/she will be called before the Student Performance Committee (SPC). The committee will review the student’s academic performance and determine if and how remediation will occur. The student will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs through UNTHSC approved official methods of communication. The Curriculum Director, Administrative Course Director and essential faculty and/or staff will be informed of the decision.
- Upon determination that the student may remedy the course, the Administrative Course Director will determine the content of the remediation examination or activity with approval of the Curriculum Director.
- Testing Services in consultation with the Curriculum Director and Course Director will determine the date and location of the remediation examination and are responsible for administering it. Testing Services will contact the student to schedule the remediation exam.
- Any student who earns a failing grade in a repeated course may be recommended for dismissal.
- A student who earns a failing grade in a clinical clerkship must appear before the Student Performance Committee. The Student Performance Committee will make a recommendation if and how remediation will occur. Any student who earns a failing grade in a repeated rotation may be recommended for dismissal from TCOM.
Incomplete Grades
A student may not advance to the next academic year until all failures and incomplete (“I”) grades are remedied. A grade of “I” (Incomplete) will be assigned only when a student has not completed all academic requirements and assignments, including regular examinations, due to documented illness or circumstances beyond a student’s control. A student may not advance to the next academic year until all failures and incomplete (“I”) grades are remedied. A grade of “I” will be recorded for any student who does not complete required course evaluations within the prescribed time limit.
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