FACILITIES FOR AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION.
There are well-equipped laboratories for the study of biochemistry, gross
anatomy, histology and embryology, bacteriology and pathology, physiology,
pharmacology, materia medica, and clinical diagnosis. 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 the entire 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. After two sessions devoted to laboratory
training, the student is introduced in the third year to the study of disease
in living persons. In the Out-Patient Department and in the Hospital he
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. With this preparation the
student is ready to enter upon the hospital work in his fourth year. Here
he has advantages for clinical training similar to those enjoyed by internes.
Each clinical patient on admission to the hospital is assigned to a student,
and that patient is regarded as his "case." 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.
To carry out this method of clinical instruction the hospital had last year
over 3,800 cases. 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.
Opportunities are offered in the third and fourth years for more extended
training in certain subjects with a view toward possible specialization
after graduation.
At the meetings of the Medical Journal Club reviews of important articles
and results of original research are presented by the instructors and
by invited guests. These meetings are open to the students.
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 condition may or may not be given at the discretion
of the professor in charge, on a grade of 5.
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.
3. 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 40 honor points have optional attendance
on all the didactic work of the next session.
Special Regulations governing Advancement and Registration.
Save by special vote of the Medical Faculty to the contrary, the following
records at the close of the regular session in June require repetition of the entire
work of the year.
For first year students:
1. Failure in two subjects.
2. Failure in one subject and Conditions in two subjects.
4. Conditions in four subjects.
For second and third year students:
Save by special vote of the Medical Faculty to the contrary a clear record
on all first and second year subjects at the time of registration is required for
admission to the work of the third year.
The clause in the above rules, "save by special vote of the Medical
Faculty to the contrary" refers solely to "illness or equivalent cause." It
does not refer to the necessity for summer occupation or to any other than
the most weighty reasons for excuse from the operations of these rules.
Generally the Faculty will take the initiative in allowing exceptions to these
rules.
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.
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 eighty per
cent., but as much as seventy per cent., on one or more subjects, as explained in
a preceding paragraph; or any student who has received the record conditioned
on a course taken in this university.
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 examination 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 1925-1926 begin September 14 and close September
19. 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.; and 3, special laboratory fees, as specified below:
|
FIRST
YEAR |
SECOND
YEAR |
THIRD
YEAR |
FOURTH
YEAR |
| Tuition |
$160.00 |
$160.00 |
$135.00 |
$135.00 |
| University fee |
60.00 |
60.00 |
60.00 |
60.00 |
| Laboratory fees: |
|
|
|
|
| Biochemistry |
10.00 |
|
|
|
| Anatomy |
17.50 |
2.50 |
|
|
| Histology and Embryology |
7.50 |
|
|
|
| Physiology |
|
10.00 |
|
|
| Bacteriology and Pathology |
|
12.50 |
|
|
| Pharmacology |
|
5.00 |
|
|
| Clinical Diagnosis |
|
5.00 |
5.00 |
|
| Materia Medica and Toxicology |
|
|
5.00 |
|
| Total |
$255.00 |
$255.00 |
$205.00 |
$195.00 |
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.
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 forty-eight session-hours of the group electives required
in this university for the cultural baccalaureate degrees in arts and
science may substitute for twelve 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 Sciences 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 recently 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 this 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:
| One year of College English |
3 session-hours |
| College Algebra, Solid Geometry, Plane Trigonometry |
3 session-hours |
| Physics, Chemistry, and Biology |
24 session-hours |
With minimum requirements in each subject as follows:
| (a) |
General Chemistry (including in this term
analytical or physical chemistry) |
6 session-hours |
| (b) |
Organic Chemistry |
4 session-hours |
| (c) |
General Physics |
4 session-hours |
| (d) |
Biological Science |
6 session-hours |
Elective in subjects other than physics, chemistry and
biology |
3 session-hours |
(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
provide for the necessary expenses of the student during the entire
four years of his medical course and are awarded whenever there is a vacancy.
Both Herndon scholarships were awarded in September, 1923, one to
a student in the present first year class and one to a student in the second
year class. New appointments to these scholarships are therefore unlikely
to be made until the session 1926-27. 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 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. It is not probable that new appointments will be made
until the session 1925-26. For further information address the Dean of the
Department of Medicine.
Other Scholarships and Fellowships open to medical students in
common with students in other departments of the University are:
The Valentine Birely Scholarship; the Thompson Brown Scholarship; the
Isaac Cary Scholarship; the William C. Folkes Scholarships; the Bennett
Wood Green Scholarships; the McCormick Scholarship; the Pi Kappa Alpha
Scholarship; the Thomas Fortune Ryan Scholarships; the Virginia Division
of the United Daughters of the Confederacy Scholarship; 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 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 catalogue of 1924-25 the following
have been elected to membership: from the class of 1924, Eugene
Osmun Barr, Lila Morse Bonner, B.S., Frederic Griffin Dorwart, B.A.,
Edward Halsell Fite, B.S. in Medicine; from the class of 1925, Staige Davis
Blackford, B.S. in Medicine, Julian Harwood Coleman, James Wilkinson
Jervey, Jr., B.S. in Medicine, Henry Wilds Patton, B.A. and Harry Justice
Warthen, Jr.
