A recent requirement has been imposed on all students in order for them to receive credit for an undergraduate Dental School course, including Oral Medicine 526:

Oral Medicine 526:

COURSE GRADING

Lecture Section: 90% of Final Grade

Clinical Section: 10% of Final Grade

Grading for the lecture portion of this course will be based on the scores obtained for midterm and final examinations.

Lecture Section Examinations: 

·            Midterm Examination: 44% of your Final Grade for Lecture Section (40% of overall course grade):   Midterm examination will be given and cover the 8 hours of lecture -- lectures #s 1-8. 

·              Final Examination: 56% of your Final Lecture Section Grade (50% of overall course grade):  A final examination will be given during finals week and will cover 10 hours of lecture -- lectures #s 9 -18.

        Examination schedule is included on the course lecture schedule. 

·            Test format: We will be looking to use a case-based format will be utilized for test questions. This format will consist of a short description of a clinical case that will be followed by multiple choice and true/ false questions relating to the case.  The tests will utilize a computerized grading system that will allow for quicker turnaround for grading and informing students of results. 

       Test material will be drawn from lectures and assigned reading assignments and handouts.  Be prepared -- study all sources.

Test Grading Protocol:

Examinations will be graded on an "adjusted curve format".  The curve will be adjusted as follows:

-        a)  If any student attains a score of 98% of total number of possible points or higher on an examination, the curve for that test will not be adjusted for that test. The total points possible for that test will used to calculate the percentile scores to be used for grade calculations.

      b)  If the highest score attained by a student is < 97% of the total possible, the highest point total attained by that student will be made equal to the 99^th percentile score and an "adjusted 100% point total" will be computed and used to compute the percentile scores to be used for grade calculations.

Computation of Final Course Grade:

The total points obtained by a student for the mid term and final examinations will be summed and then divided by the sum of the calculated adjusted total points (i.e., adjusted 100%) for each of the examinations; this decimal fraction will be multiplied by 100 to calculate the lecutre section percentile grade that will constitute 90% of your final grade. The points attained for clinical rotation projects will be divided by total points possible and then multiplied by 100 to calculate the percentile score for the clinical rotation poriton of the course, which; this will make up 10% of your grade

The final grade percentile score will be converted to a decimal point grade using the Department of Oral Medicine's Standard Grade Conversion Scale that is in compliance with the University's decimal grading standards (see grade conversion scale below).

Note:

No special arrangements will be made to give examinations at "special" times unless this is necessitated by an officially registered and accepted absence from school. (Note: if you are unsure of the policy for registering an absence from school, please contact the student affairs office for policy statements and procedures).  No make-up examinations will be given for un-excused absences.

If you have any questions or concerns about the lecture course throughout the winter quarter, please directly communicate with the lecturer relevant to your questions when possible. Additionally, feel free to contact the lecture course director, Dr. Mark Schubert (email: mschuber@seattlecca.org; phone number: 206 288 1333; individual appointments can be arranged when requested.  In addition, questions can be directed to Ms. Susan Phillips, B316, who will see that the appropriate instructor is contacted.

1.    Clinical Segment: 10 % of Final Grade

1.         Ten percent of your grade in the whole course will be earned for attendance at the two clinical sessions and turning in completed health history forms on time.

2.         If your patient has very few or no medical problems, you will be assigned a medical disorder to address as an adjunct to your patient’s summary.

3.          If you miss your assigned clinic session without a valid excused absence (illness or family emergency registered with Student Affairs Office), you will lose 50% of your clinical segment grade (5 % of your overall grade) and you will be required to make up the missed clinic session in order to complete the course.

         Late arrivals to clinic will result in a 10% reduction in your clinical segment grade for every 10 minutes you are late (1 % of your overall grade).  The Emergency Clinic personnel will be monitoring.

Department of Oral Medicine Percentile to Grade point Equivalency Conversion Table

UW School of Dentistry

Predoctoral Absence Policy & Procedure

General Absences 

If you are ill, or know in advance that you will need to be away from school, you must contact the Office of Student Services, Admissions, and Outreach at (206) 685-9484 (Lia Brawner).

If you are scheduled in clinic, in addition to contacting your patients, you also are required to contact appropriate clinic personnel and patient care coordinators.

The Office of Student Services, Admissions, and Outreach is not authorized to excuse you from classes or clinic sessions.  As a courtesy, this office will send an email to course directors and departments to alert them to your absence, and to give them the opportunity to make arrangements to cover or fill any scheduled clinic sessions.  However, you are responsible for making arrangements directly with course directors regarding missed assignments or clinic sessions prior to any planned absence, or immediately upon returning to school in the case of unplanned absences such as illness.  If you are able, you should email and/or call your instructors on any day you have to call in sick.  Be aware that missing classes and/or clinic sessions could jeopardize your academic standing, your clinic privileges, and your ability to graduate on time. 

Final Exam Weeks

This policy includes absences during final exam week.  Students need to plan on being available for exams until the end of every finals week.  Final exam week is noted on the academic calendar.  Any personal plans (e.g., flight arrangements) should be scheduled during the regular, quarterly breaks in order to avoid unexcused absences.  Failing to follow this procedure could put you at risk academically. 

Absences from Clinic - Planned

It is your responsibility to let your assigned Patient Care Coordinator know who will be covering your emergencies while you are away, and if you have anyone in temporary status or in dentures who may need a follow-up appointment. 

Note to third and fourth year students: Please make sure to change your voicemail to reflect that you will be away.

Absences Due to Inclement WeatherThe University of Washington usually remains open regardless of the weather.  To confirm any UW closures/suspended operations, call the UW Information Hotline at (206) 547-INFO.  If the UW is open but you are unable to travel, please follow the General Absences procedure.

See the Course Description 2008 PDF for additional examples of "case based questions"

Here are some examples of test questions that will be used by instructors for tests.  These are representative of "style" only.