Policy on

Grading for the Core Courses of the First 100 Weeks

Following the Reflection, Integration, and Assessment (RIA) week, students earn a final grade of Pass or Fail or a temporary designation of Conditional Pass or Incomplete in each of the seven core courses of the First 100 Weeks*. There are up to seven summative grading elements in each course, as described below. The final grade is determined by the designation assigned to each grading element.

Grading on each of the grading elements listed below, as applicable, is based upon a pre-specified standard and each grading element is assigned a designation of Meets ExpectationsMeets Expectations with Recommendations, or Does Not Meet Expectations.

  1. Clinical Skills Examination
  2. Final Essay Examination
  3. PEARLS Faculty Assessment of Student
  4. Problem-Based Structure Faculty Assessment of Student
  5. Structure Laboratory Examination
  6. Ultrasound Portfolio
  7. Zucker SOM EMT Training and Certification

Students are also responsible for completing all work, assignments and formative activities throughout the course and RIA week. 

If a student earns a designation of either Meets Expectations or Meets Expectations with Recommendations for each grading element in the course, the student will earn a final grade of Pass for the course.

If a student earns a designation of Does Not Meet Expectations on one or more grading element(s) in the course but the student does not meet criteria to fail the course, as set by the Standard Setting Committee, the student will earn a temporary designation of Conditional Pass for the course and will be required to reassess the grading element(s) that did not meet the passing standard to be eligible for advancement. For more information on reassessment requirements and procedures, please refer to the Policy on Reassessment & Remediation.

 

Participation in formative curricular activities and assessments is required. Please see the Policy on Assessments for absences during RIA week activities. 

 

If a formative assessment is missed, make-up assignments will be assigned. A course grade of “Incomplete” will temporarily be assigned until the make-up assignment is completed. Failure to complete the makeup assignment by the established due date will result in a referral to the Professionalism Committee. Any temporary grade of incomplete must be resolved before advancing to the next academic year.

 

Unapproved absences will result in a referral to the Professionalism Committee in addition to required completion of a make-up assignment.

A student who earns a designation of Does Not Meet Expectations on three or more grading element(s) within a course will be considered for a final course grade of Fail. If the Standard Setting Committee determines that a student has met the criteria to earn a final grade of Fail, the student will be required to remediate the course. A student who earns a final grade of Fail in more than two courses in a single academic year may be considered for dismissal from the MD program. The opportunity to remediate will be subject to the recommendation of the Student Advancement Committee. For more information on reassessment requirements and procedures, please refer to the Policy on Reassessment and Remediation

If a student earns a designation of Does Not Meet Expectations on one or more element(s) during the remediation (second attempt) of a course, the student will earn a final course grade of Fail and the school’s expectation is that the student will be dismissed from the MD program, pending the Student Advancement Committee’s recommendation.

If a student earns a final grade of Fail in more than two courses in a single academic year the student will be required to remediate those courses and the opportunity to do so will be subject to the recommendation of the Student Advancement Committee. Remediation must be completed before the student will be permitted to enroll in any subsequent courses. A student who earns a final grade of Fail in more than two courses in a single academic year may be considered for dismissal from the MD program.

A student who is required to remediate a core course or multiple core courses in the First 100 Weeks who has successfully completed the corresponding ICE clerkship will be required to complete alternate required clinical experiences to complement the required coursework and ensure appropriate reinforcement of clinical skills during the remediation process.