17. Remediation

Students failing any academic coursework will be awarded an "E" grade, will be referred to the Student Performance Evaluation Committee (SPEC), and must meet with the course director to develop a remediation plan within one week of receiving the failing final grade. The remediation activities are at the discretion of the Course Director and may consist of a comprehensive examination with emphasis on those areas in which the student failed to achieve a grade of "C" or better. Faculty are available to assist students preparing for this examination, but the responsibility for learning the material resides with the student. The remedial activity will include no formal instruction. The time and place of the remediation examination will be arranged individually. Please note that if the course director determines that the student failed the coursework to such an extent that remedial activities would be inadequate to attain an acceptable level of academic achievement in the course material, the course director can recommend that the student repeat the course as the remedial activity. Re-enrollment will be as soon as deemed feasible by the course director in concert with the Associate Dean for Education and the SPEC.

The passing grade in the remediation program is a "C”; however, the highest grade attainable in a remediated course is a remediated "D." Students failing to satisfactorily complete the remediation program will again be awarded a failing "E" grade, referred to SPEC and automatically placed on academic probation. Students will be required to repeat the course. Re-enrollment will be as soon as deemed feasible by the course director in concert with the Associate Dean for Education and the SPEC. The highest final grade attainable when repeating a course in its entirety is an "A." Students failing to satisfactorily complete a course at the second offering will be referred to SPEC for further evaluation and possible action. A failing grade awarded in any course will remain on the permanent record. Any grade achieved after re-enrollment and completing will be listed separately.

18. Exemptions

Students presenting proper credentials of having gained prior knowledge of a dental course or module will be allowed to take a written examination and complete a laboratory or simulation project, as appropriate. Depending on the results of the examination(s), the student may be exempted by the course director from the course without credit.

19. Student Ranking System

Student rankings are developed and used for responding to requests for rankings from other institutions or agencies when a student applies for an advanced education program, a loan or scholarship, or employment. Rankings for each academic year are computed annually at the end of the Summer Semester as a function of grade point averages. Grade point averages will be derived from the numerical equivalent of the letter grade. The student with the highest grade point average is ranked number one, with lower rankings computed accordingly. At the completion of the dental curriculum, an overall grade point average and class ranking will be computed.

20. Dean's List

The Dean's List recognizes students' outstanding academic achievement each semester.
The College of Dentistry's Dean's List determination and notification are as follows:

a. The dental students in each class (1DN, 2DN, 3DN, 4DN) with the 10 highest grade point averages and a minimum GPA of 3.5 will be identified at the end of each semester for inclusion on the list.
b. Students included on the Dean's List may not have more than one "I" grade in the semester being considered.
c. In the event of a tie for 10th position, all students tied for the tenth position will be included.
d. Students will be provided a certificate recognizing their academic achievement.
e. The list of students being honored will be maintained in the Office of Education, but will not be published without the written consent of each student included on the list.

21. Graduation Requirements

The DMD degree requires that the student satisfactorily complete all required course work, clinical requirements, and electives. In addition, the student must have an overall four-year grade point average of 2.5 or better, must successfully remediate any previously failed course and have no incomplete or failing grades on his/her academic record, and must pass National Board Examinations Part I and II. Additionally, the student must satisfy all requirements relating to patient treatment status, patient records, collection of fees, and accountability for institutional equipment and supplies. Finally, the Department Chairpersons must review the performance of all degree candidates and certify to the Dean their eligibility for graduation.

22. Where to Find Additional Information

Additional information about the curriculum can be found in the individual course syllabi, the Clinic Procedure Manual and the Clinical Courses Syllabus. As students enter the clinical program, they are assigned a family of patients designed to support their educational needs as specified in the Clinical Courses Syllabus. The College of Dentistry will provide all possible assistance in procuring appropriate patients. However, the ultimate responsibility for obtaining and maintaining an adequate family of patients lies with the student, using the College of Dentistry and whatever other sources may be available.

Basic Science Coordinator: Dr. W. McArthur, Dept. of Oral Biology, PDRC, 392-4370
Office of Education: Ms. Censeri Abare, D3-11, 273-5947
Executive Associate Dean: Dr. Robert Bates, D4-6, 273-5800