FACILITIES FOR AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
The new Medical Building recently completed contains modern well-equipped
laboratories for the accommodation of the medical sciences. This
building is connected by corridors and bridges with the hospital, thus bringing
all departments of the Medical School into close physical association.
The new arrangement necessitated extensive changes in certain portions
of the hospital, involving especially the surgical suite, the X-ray suite and
the out-patient quarters. It required also the erection of an enlarged laundry,
a newer power plant, and dining halls for hospital staff and nurses. The
Medical School Building consists of two wings connected by an inside pavilion,
all five floors in height. The south wing houses on four successive floors
the departments of biochemistry, pharmacology and materia medica, physiology,
and histology and embryology. On the top floor are the experimental
laboratories, quarters for experimental animals and a fireproof storage
room for X-ray plates. The north wing gives accommodations on the ground
floor for autopsy rooms, an embalming room, a media room, refrigeration,
incineration and storage. The first floor houses half of the Out-Patient Department
and the receiving room. On the second floor are the offices of
administration, the museum and the library. On the third floor are the
department of pathology and bacteriology, and two classrooms. The fourth
floor contains a laboratory for neuro-anatomy. The connecting pavilion, or
west wing, contains on the ground floor four student locker rooms, the
electrical power room, a record storage room, and an amphitheatre. The
latter is two floors in height and extends eastward into the open court between
the north and south wings. On the first floor are a lecture room,
a staff room, a record room, a drug room, and examining and sterilizing
rooms. On the second floor are housed the department of clinical pathology
and a cardiac laboratory. The third floor has three laboratories for gross
anatomy, a study room, a number of offices, and quarters for surgical pathology.
On the top floor are accommodations for the department of public
health and hygiene.
These laboratories are all presided over by trained teachers, to whom
teaching and investigation are primary considerations. The number of
hours assigned to laboratory subjects is quite large and affords ample time
for thorough study by the best methods. The student is brought into close
contact with teachers who are both willing and able to guide him; he gains
a very large part of his knowledge at first hand and by his own exertions,
and thus acquires the habit of working out things for himself; he becomes
self-reliant, a quality essential to the practice of his difficult profession.
Trained in this manner, he acquires an understanding of the medical sciences
and the ability to apply the facts of these sciences to the subsequent study of
disease. For these reasons the great fundamental sciences receive the utmost
consideration, constituting a large part of the work of the first two years.
The methods of clinical instruction are based upon the belief that no
clinical teaching is efficient which is not governed by essentially the same
principles as those which govern the best laboratory teaching. This instruction
is accordingly designed to enforce with the individual student a careful,
thorough, face-to-face study of disease and its management. The facilities
afforded by the University Hospital and Out-Patient Department are described
on a subsequent page. In the Out-Patient Department and in the Hospital the student
learns the methods of examining patients, of diagnosing their diseases, and of
instituting rational treatment; and he learns these things in much the same way
as he studied in the laboratory, that is to say, by doing them himself under
the direction and criticism of the instructors. This practical training is
accompanied by a systematic study of the various subjects by means of lectures,
textbooks, and recitations. The student conducts a complete examination,
records his observations in a scientific manner, makes a diagnosis, states
his view as to the treatment indicated, and keeps a complete record of the
case, all under the advice and criticism of the physician or surgeon in charge.
He is expected to keep himself informed of the progress of the case throughout
its course. If it is one requiring surgical treatment, he assists at the
operation, and thus is able to follow all the procedures of the operator at
close range. In addition, students make frequent visits to the wards with
the attending physicians and surgeons, during which visits the nature, treatment,
and progress of various cases are gone over in detail. The patients of
the Blue Ridge Sanatorium afford additional material for clinical instruction.
Since the number of students in each class is relatively small, it is clear that the
department offers capable young men clinical advantages which are distinctly
exceptional.
At the meetings of the Medical Society of the University of Virginia reviews
of important articles, clinical cases and results of original research are
presented by the instructors and by invited guests.
Graduate Instruction in the Department of Medicine was organized for
the session 1929-30. The work is administered under the Department of
Graduate Studies of the University. The courses of the regular medical curriculum
are credited as C courses; elective, special research and seminar
courses are evaluated as D courses. During the current session eight graduate
students are enrolled, one each in Anatomy, Surgery, Public Health and Hygiene,
Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Physiology, Psychiatry, and Histology. Recent revision
of the medical curriculum, involving chiefly reductions in the number of
session-hours of required work and the establishment of elective and research
courses in each of the major departments, makes possible a greatly enlarged scope
of graduate instruction.
Registrar's Records of Student's Work.—The results of the work of each
student are recorded in the Registrar's office in such manner as to show (1) the grade received on each course, (2) whether the student has or has not
absolved the course and, if not, what is necessary to obtain a clear record
and admit to dependent subjects, and (3) a valuation in "honor points" of the
results of the work for each session.
1. The grade received on each course. These grades with their percentage
equivalents are as follows:
| 1 + = |
95-100 per cent |
| 1 = |
90- 94 per cent |
| 2 = |
85- 89 per cent |
| 3 = |
80- 84 per cent |
| 4 = |
70- 79 per cent |
| 5 = |
below 70 per cent |
The passing grade is 3. A grade of 4 entitles the student to a condition,
as explained below. A grade of 5 means a failure for the course.
No passing grades are reported to the Registrar's office on didactic work
unless the laboratory or clinical part of the course is completed in a satisfactory
manner; nor are any grades reported when the student is deficient
until the deficiency has been made up.
2. Whether the student has or has not absolved the course, and, if not,
what is required to obtain a clear record and admit to dependent subjects.
This is indicated in the following terms:
Passed (P) indicates the satisfactory completion of the course and admits
to all dependent subjects.
Conditioned (C) means that to obtain a clear record on the course the
student must pass a special examination. Failure to take or to pass this
examination is equivalent to a record of "failed." The record "conditioned"
is not given in fourth-year subjects, except in case of illness or other equivalent
cause approved by the faculty.
A student may be conditioned on any examination because of failure
to maintain a reasonable standard of English composition.
Deficient (D) indicates that part of the required laboratory or clinical
work of the course has not been completed. Upon the satisfactory completion
of this work within the time and in the manner prescribed by the
professor in charge, the student receives the record "passed"; otherwise the
record is "failed" on the entire course.
Failed (F) indicates that the course must be repeated; except that when
the laboratory or other practical work has been satisfactorily performed, the
professor in charge may, at his discretion, excuse the student from repeating
the same; and, by special vote of the faculty, the student may be granted
optional attendance upon the course, in whole or in part. In general, a
student who is repeating a course will be required to attend all the exercises
of the course, and will not be excused from any exercise thereof because
of schedule conflicts with more advanced work.
Absence from a regular examination, when excused because of illness
or equivalent cause gives a record of conditioned; if not excused, a record of
failed.
3. A valuation of the general results of the work on each course and of
the student's work for the entire session. Honor points.
This is expressed in honor points.
Each course is valued in the usual manner in terms of session-hours.
An honor point (or simply a point) may be defined as the honor value of
one-half session-hour of a course on which a grade of 2 has been received;
the honor value becomes 2 for each half session-hour of a course on which 1
has been received and 2½ for each half session-hour on which a grade of 1+
has been received. Thus for each session-hour of a complete course:
A grade of 3 gives no honor points.
A grade of 2 gives 2 honor points.
A grade of 1 gives 4 honor points.
A grade of 1+ gives 5 honor points.
A grade of 4 subtracts 2 honor points.
A grade of 5 subtracts 4 honor points.
No honor points are given on a course on which a condition or failure
has been received at the time of the final examination on the course; except
that, in case of illness or equivalent cause, the results of re-examination or
of repetition of the course—instead of the record on the completion of the
course—may be made the basis of estimating honor points.
Students who receive on the entire curriculum of any one year of medical
study, or its equivalent, a total of 50 honor points have optional attendance
on all the didactic work of the next session.
Special Rules Governing Advancement and Registration.
I. At the close of the University in June, the status of the students
shall be fixed for the next session, classification being made as follows: (a)
Promoted; (b) Required to Withdraw; (c) Provisionally Promoted; and (d)
Required to Repeat.
(a) Promoted. This group shall be composed of all students who have
satisfactorily completed the entire work of the year.
(b) Required to Withdraw. This group shall include such students as
are not deemed competent to continue their training in this school. The
record requiring withdrawal, reckoned in session-hours, is as follows:
For first-year students—(1) Failures in 9 session-hours; (2) failures in 6
hours plus conditions in 6 hours.
For second-year students—(1) Failures in 10 hours; (2) failures in 8
hours plus conditions in 4 hours.
For third-year students—(1) Failures in 6½ hours; (2) failures in 4½
hours plus conditions in 4 hours.
(c) Provisionally Promoted. This group shall include students who
have incurred only such deficiencies as can with reasonable expectation be
removed by the opening of the next session. The record entitling provisional
promotion, reckoned in session-hours, must not be lower than the following:
For first-year students—(1) Failures in 6 session-hours; (2) failures in
4 hours plus conditions in 4 hours; (3) conditions in 10 hours.
For second-year students—(1) Failures in 7 hours; (2) failures in 6 hours
plus conditions in 3 hours; (3) conditions in 11 hours.
For third-year students—(1) Failures in 4½ hours; (2) failures in 3
hours plus conditions in 3 hours; (3) conditions in 8 hours.
(d) Required to Repeat. This group shall include all students not
placed in groups a, b, and c. A student who is repeating must attend all
exercises of the year, or courses, and pass the examinations, regardless of the
grades previously made.
II. Students, classified in June as "Required to Withdraw" or "Required
to Repeat," shall not change their status by passing summer courses and (or)
special examinations.
III. A student who has been permitted to repeat a year, or prescribed
courses, shall not be granted the privilege for a second time, i. e., he shall
not spend more than five years in completing the requirements for graduation.
IV. A student may not take any course, either in whole or in part (as explained
under the above definition of failed) more than twice. A second record of
failed on the same course involves withdrawal from the Department of Medicine.
V. A clear record at the opening of the session in September on all
subjects of the preceding year is required for advancement to the third and
fourth years.
VI. Summer courses taken for the removal of deficiencies must be approved
by the professor in whose subjects the deficiencies were incurred; but
it shall be the duty of the student concerned to provide the information on
which to base the decision as to acceptability of courses; he must absolve
the summer work and have an official record mailed directly from the institution
to the professor at the University in charge of the subjects; and
in addition he must report for the special examination at this University and
make a passing grade therein.
VII. Any student, who makes a grade below passing on any term's work
or is in any way derelict in his duties, shall be warned, warned and placed
on probation, or dismissed, according to the merits of the case.
The value in session-hours of the courses of the first three years:—
| First Year |
Second Year |
Third Year |
| Anatomy 1 |
6 |
Physiology |
5 |
Clinical Diagnosis |
1.5 |
| Anatomy 2 |
2 |
Pathology |
6 |
Medicine |
4.0 |
| Histology |
4 |
Pharmacology |
3 |
Surgery |
4.0 |
| Embryology |
2 |
Materia Medica |
2 |
Obstetrics |
2.0 |
| Biochemistry |
4 |
Physical Diagnosis |
1 |
Orthopedics |
1.5 |
| Bacteriology |
3 |
Clinical Diagnosis |
1 |
Pediatrics |
2.0 |
|
|
Medicine |
1 |
Urology |
1.0 |
|
|
Surgery |
1 |
Dermat. & Syph. |
1.5 |
|
|
|
|
Elective |
2.0 |
| Totals |
21 |
Totals |
20 |
Totals |
19.5 |
Similar rules are enforced at practically all medical schools. It is exceedingly
difficult for a student who has been dropped or not advanced at
one school to secure admission to another. Compulsory withdrawal may
therefore terminate a medical career.
Candidates for the degree of Doctor of Medicine, who have less than
one full year's work to complete, may be required to take such additional
work and to pass such additional examinations as the Medical Faculty may
prescribe. This additional work may be selected from any of the courses
given in the Department of Medicine, even when such prescribed courses
have previously been taken and passed by the candidate in question.
Certificates of Attendance.—Students who attend the whole regular course
of one or more of the four years are entitled to an official statement under
the seal of the University, showing all courses for which the student was
registered each year as a medical student and the record (see above under
"Regulations") with the grade received on each course for which he was
registered. These statements will also contain any special faculty votes affecting
the student's registration in this school.
In no case will the University give an official certificate of the completion
of a part of a course. The professor in charge may, at his discretion, make
a personal statement by letter to the head of the same department in another
medical school of the work done by the student in his course; but he must
at the same time clearly state that this letter does not give credit in this
medical school.
Requirements for Graduation.—The degree of Doctor of Medicine is conferred
by the University of Virginia upon candidates who have complied with
the entrance requirements of this department; attended a regular medical
course of four years of at least eight months each, the last two of which
years must have been at this institution; and have satisfactorily completed
all of the subjects included in the medical course.
Examinations.—These are in writing, accompanied in many subjects by
individual practical examinations. Examinations may be held only during the
regular examination periods at the end of each term or during the vacation
periods. No examinations may be given while regular class work is in progress;
provided this rule is not to be interpreted to prohibit unannounced
written tests or regular daily or weekly tests which count on the class standing
of students. The regular examinations are held at stated periods during
the session. In addition, examinations are held each year during the week
immediately preceding the beginning of lectures. To the latter are admitted:
1. Students of the previous session who, from illness or other equivalent
cause approved by the faculty, were unable to present themselves for examination
in any particular subject at the regular time.
2. Students who at the regular examination in any first-, second-, or
third-year subject of the preceding session have attained a grade less than 80
per cent., but as much as 70 per cent., on one or more subjects, as explained
in a preceding paragraph. This does not apply to students who have been required
to withdraw, or required to repeat, under the Special Rules Governing
Advancement (pp. 370-371).
3. Certain applicants for advanced standing who are required to take
examinations by the Committee on Advanced Standing.
The usual period for special or conditioned examinations is in September
during the week of registration; but such examinations may be scheduled, at
the option of the professor in charge, for any other time, provided regular
class work is not in progress and also provided all students entitled to
take examinations agree to the change of date. For a special or condition
examination held at any other time than that assigned for all students entitled
thereto a fee of five dollars is charged. This fee must be paid to the
Bursar before the examination is held.
In all courses in which there is practical work, either in the laboratory
or in the outpatient department or wards of the hospital, two records are
returned to the Registrar's office for each student; one of these records is for
the practical laboratory or clinical work in which the record is P(assed),
D(eficient), or F(ailed), the other record is for the didactic work, including
the final examinations—in which case the record is P(assed), C(onditioned),
D(eficient), or F(ailed), with the approximate percentage grade. To obtain
a clear record on the course a student must have a record of P(assed)
both on practical and on didactic work; in no case will the two grades be
averaged. No record whatever is given on didactic work unless there is a
record of P(assed) on practical work nor will any record be given on practical
work until a clear record is obtained on didactic work; failure on practical
work gives a record of F(ailed) on the entire course.
The Fall Examinations for 1932-33 begin September 12 and close September
17. Students entitled to admission to these examinations will be informed of
the date of examination by the Dean.
Expenses.—The fees for instruction are 1, the tuition fee; 2, the University
fee which entitles the student to the use of the Library, Gymnasium, to
medical attention, etc.; 3, the athletic fee; 4, special laboratory fees, as specified
on following page:
|
First
Year |
Second
Year |
Third
Year |
Fourth
Year |
| Tuition (Virginians) |
$250 00 |
$250 00 |
$250 00 |
$250 00 |
| (Non-Virginians) |
300 00 |
300 00 |
300 00 |
300 00 |
| University fee |
60 00 |
60 00 |
60 00 |
60 00 |
| Athletic fee |
15 00 |
15 00 |
15 00 |
15 00 |
| Laboratory Fees: |
|
|
|
|
| Biochemistry |
10 00 |
|
|
|
| Deposit in Biochemistry |
10 00 |
|
|
|
| Anatomy 1 and 2 |
17 50 |
|
|
|
| Histology and Embryology |
7 50 |
|
|
|
| Physiology |
|
10 00 |
|
|
| Bacteriology |
7 50 |
|
|
|
| Pathology |
|
5 00 |
|
|
| Pharmacology |
|
5 00 |
|
|
| Clinical Diagnosis |
|
5 00 |
5 00 |
|
| Materia Medica |
|
5 00 |
|
|
| Total (Virginians) |
$377 50 |
$355 00 |
$330 00 |
$325 00 |
| (Non-Virginians) |
427 50 |
405 00 |
380 00 |
375 00 |
The minimum for necessary living expenses, including room, heat, light,
furniture, service, board, books, and laundry, is estimated at $400.
In the course in Biochemistry, a deposit of $10 is required to cover cost
of breakage.
A fee of $3.00 is required of all women students for the upkeep of the
"Woman Students' Association Room."
Each student in the Department of Medicine is required to provide himself
with a satisfactory microscope.
Voluntary Withdrawal from the University requires the written consent
of the Dean of the University and the Dean of the Department in which the
student is registered. When a permit is granted upon the University Physician's
certificate that withdrawal is necessary on account of ill health, which
must not be due to dissolute conduct, the fees are returned pro rata. Under
no other circumstances will there be a return of fees.
Combined Degrees in Arts (or Science) and Medicine.—Students who
have credit for the 48 session-hours of the group electives required in this
University for the cultural baccalaureate degrees in arts and science may
substitute for 12 session-hours of Electives-at-Large the first-year course in
the Department of Medicine and receive the degree of Bachelor of Arts or
Bachelor of Science at the end of the year. For further information, see the
General Catalogue of the University.
The University offers also the degree of Bachelor of Science in Medicine.
This degree has been placed in charge of the Medical Faculty. It is awarded
on the recommendation of the Medical Faculty after the completion of the
second year of the medical curriculum to students who (1) present 33 session
hours of acceptable work in premedical academic subjects (whether taken
in the University or elsewhere) as specified below; (2) complete the first two
years of the medical course in this University with grades in general higher
than the lowest passing grade; and (3) demonstrate by examination a reading
knowledge of medical French and German.
(1) Premedical Academic Subjects.—These must include:
|
Session-hours |
| One year of College English |
3 |
| College Algebra, Solid Geometry, Plane Trigonometry |
3 |
| Physics, Chemistry, and Biology |
24 |
With minimum requirements in each subject as follows:
| (a) |
General Chemistry (including in this term
Analytical or Physical Chemistry) |
6 |
| (b) |
Organic Chemistry |
4 |
| (c) |
General Physics |
4 |
| (d) |
Biological Science |
6 |
|
Elective in subjects other than Physics, Chemistry and
Biology |
3 |
(2) First two years of the Medical Curriculum, completed with a record
of 30 honor points on first-year subjects and 40 honor points on second-year
subjects.
(3) Reading knowledge of Medical French and German.—This will be
tested by examination consisting of the translation of passages from textbooks
of Anatomy and Histology, Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathology.
No specific college work is required although the equivalent of 3 session-hour
college courses in each of these languages is desirable and may be offered
as part of the premedical credits. The vocabulary of medical French and
German may best be acquired by using foreign text-books, etc., in the above
medical sciences as parallel reading, or as summer reading after the completion
of the above subjects in the regular medical course.
The William A. Herndon Scholarships are founded upon the bequest of
Dr. Cumberland George Herndon, a graduate in medicine of this University.
They are awarded by the Medical Faculty after a competitive examination
held during the summer vacation preceding enrollment as a student in the
Medical Department. Candidates must be unable to defray the expenses of
their medical education and must signify their intention of entering the
medical service of the army or navy of the United States. These scholarships
carry a stipend of approximately $430. They continue for the four years of
the medical course and are awarded whenever there is a vacancy. Two appointments
were made in September, 1928; two will be made in September, 1932. Applications
must be made not later than July 1 of the year of appointment. For
information as to the examinations and other requirements, address the Dean of
the Department of Medicine.
The Richard Henry Whitehead Scholarships, founded by an anonymous
donor in memory of Dr. Richard Henry Whitehead, Professor of Anatomy
and Dean of the Department of Medicine, 1905-1916, are awarded to young
men of promise who contemplate entering upon lines of medical work which
will advance medical knowledge either pure or applied. They are usually
awarded only to students who have completed at least two years of the
medical curriculum. There are three of these scholarships. New appointments
will be made for the session 1932-33. For further information, address the Dean
of the Department of Medicine.
The Seven Society Alumni Medical Scholarship, established in 1926 by
the Alumni of the Seven Society with an annual emolument of $350, is awarded
to a student in the Department of Medicine upon nomination by the Dean
of the Department of Medicine.
The Virginia State Medical Scholarships, established in 1925 by the Rector
and Visitors of the University of Virginia. Two scholarships are awarded
annually in the Department of Medicine, towards the close of the session, to
the students from Virginia on the basis of rank and need, retroactive for the
session. Tenure four years, conditioned upon maintenance of satisfactory
scholastic record. Emolument, remission of tuition fee.
The Doctor William Selden Memorial Scholarship in the Department of
Medicine, with an emolument of $500. Established through the Centennial
Endowment Fund. Appointment made by the Rector and Visitors upon the
nomination of the Dean of the Department of Medicine.
The Doctor Edward May Magruder Medical Scholarship, founded in
1927 by the American Clan Gregor Society, with an emolument of $60, is
awarded upon the recommendation of the Society.
Other Scholarships and Fellowships open to medical students in common
with students in other departments of the University are: The Bayly-Tiffany Fellowships
and Scholarships; the Valentine Birely Scholarship; the Thompson
Brown Scholarship; the Isaac Cary Scholarship; the Philip Francis duPont
Scholarships and Fellowships; the Richard Eppes Memorial Scholarship; the
William C. Folkes Scholarships; the D. J. Hennessy Scholarship; the James
Rufus Humphrey Scholarship; the McCormick Scholarship; the Thomas Fortune
Ryan Scholarships; the James Parker Williams Scholarship; the Virginia Division
of the United Daughters of the Confederacy Scholarship; the Samuel Watts
Scholarship; the Bennett Wood Green Fellowships; and the John Y. Mason
Fellowship.
Loan funds also are available. For full information regarding scholarships,
fellowships, and loan funds, see the General Catalogue of the University.
The John Horsley Memorial Prize in Medicine with the emolument of
$1,000. Founded in 1925 by Dr. J. Shelton Horsley, of Richmond, Va., as a
memorial to his father, Mr. John Horsley, of Nelson County, Virginia. The
prize will be awarded every two years by a committee of the Medical Faculty
of the University of Virginia for the best thesis upon some subject in general
surgery. The term "general surgery" is used in a broad way and includes the
specialties commonly associated with general surgery such as orthopedic
surgery, urology and gynecology but not the specialties of the surgery of the
eye, ear, nose and throat.
The prize is open to all graduates of the Medical Department of the
University of Virginia of not more than fifteen years standing. For further information,
address the Dean of the Department of Medicine, University, Va.
The Alpha Omega Alpha Society.—On November 15, 1919, a charter
was issued for the establishment in this University of a chapter of the honor
medical society, Alpha Omega Alpha, to which there are chosen annually
one-fifth of each graduating class, on the basis of scholarship, character, and
professional promise. Since publication of the last catalogue the following
have been elected to membership: from the class of 1931, William Morgan Chew,
Alexander Gordon Gilliam, Meyer Goldstein, Angus Hinson, and Joseph William
Houck; and from the class of 1932, Thomas Sterling Claiborne, Walter Ansell
Derrick, John Hartwell Harrison, Jean Barksdale Jones and Elizabeth Lewis
Saunders.
The Iota Sigma Society.—In the spring of 1927 there was organized a
local honor medical society, Iota Sigma, whose membership is open to
medical students who have completed the first term of the third year with a
total of not less than 81 honor points. Prospective candidates must further
qualify with regard to congeniality, personality, interest in research, practicability
and future professional promise. The primary aims of this society
are to raise the standard of scholarship, to stimulate sympathetic interest in
research, and in every possible way to aid the Medical School in the maintenance
of its high ideal of medical training and service. Since publication of
the last catalogue the following have been elected to membership: Austin Brockenbrough
Chinn, Thomas Sterling Claiborne, Walter Ansell Derrick, Charles
Louis Gilbert, Randolph Bryan Grinnan, Jr., John Hartwell Harrison, William
Dabney Jarman, Edgar Wilson Kirby, Jr., Delmar Franklin Weaver, Jr., and
Munford Radford Yates.
