Body
Unit Policy
Title
Offices of Medical Student Education: Policy on Grading TEC 2.0 Foundation Phase Medical Science Courses
Introduction
Purpose
This Policy establishes the grading structure and standards of advancement for Medical Science courses in the Foundation Phase of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (“University”) School of Medicine’s (SOM) Medical Doctorate degree (MD) Program.
Scope
This Policy applies to MD Program students (“Students”), staff, instructors, and course directors.
Policy
Policy Statement
Students are expected to meet objectives identified in the syllabi of each of their Medical Science courses. To pass a Medical Science course, a Student must: (1) achieve an overall course score of either Seventy (70) or a grade that is no more than two (2) standard deviations below the mean of all Students’ grades, whichever is lower, calculated according to the individual assessment weights identified for that course; (2) achieve a score of Seventy (70) or greater on each National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) examination; and (3) achieve a score of Seventy (70) or greater on the Clinical Reasoning Examination. Course Directors and Medical Science Directors may revise a passing grade based on egregious or repetitive unprofessional behavior.
Students receive Medical Science course grades within thirty-five (35) days of the end of each course per SOM policy. The Assistant Director for the Foundation Phase (or their designee) is responsible for communicating to Students when their grades can be viewed within Canvas.
Grading Structure
A Student who achieves a passing score for a Medical Science course and scores Seventy (70) or greater on their NBME examinations and Clinical Reasoning Exam will receive a grade of P (Pass).
A Student who does not achieve a passing score for a Medical Science course receives a grade of F (Fail). The Student may have the opportunity for Remediation during the summer for first-year medical student (“MS1”) courses or during the spring for second-year medical student (“MS2”) courses, contingent upon permission from the Student Progress Committee (SPC). If the SPC permits Remediation and the course is successfully completed, the Student will receive a grade of P (Pass) for the course. The Student’s original failing grade will remain on their transcript.
- A Student who achieves a passing score for a Medical Science course but scores below Seventy (70) on an NBME examination receives a grade of IN (Incomplete) for the course and is allowed to retake the NBME examination a maximum of one (1) time. If the Student scores at least a Seventy (70) on the NBME examination retake , the Student’s course grade is converted to a P (Pass). If the Student fails to score Seventy (70) or greater on the retake, then the Student’s course grade is converted to an F (Fail). In either case, the exam Remediation will not be noted on the Student’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE).
A Student who achieves a passing score for a Medical Science course, scores at least Seventy (70) on all course NBME examinations, but scores below Seventy (70) on the Clinical Reasoning Examination must meet with their Case Based Learning (CBL) facilitator to review the assessment. A Student’s failure of the Clinical Reasoning Examination will not be noted on their transcript or MSPE.
Remediation
The SPC has the authority and discretion to approve or not approve Remediation and make recommendations based on a Student’s individual academic circumstances. A Student is eligible for Remediation if: (1) the SPC permits Remediation; (2) no more than two (2) courses require remediation in the MS1 year or in the MS2 fall semester; and (3) there are no professional concerns regarding the Student.
A Student may Remediate up to two (2) failed Medical Science courses in June and/or July following the MS1 spring semester and up to two (2) failed Medical Science courses in January and/or February following the MS2 fall semester if approved by the SPC. If a Student fails more than two (2) Medical Science courses during a single academic year, they will be reviewed for Deceleration by the SPC.
A Student who fails Remediation will receive a second course grade of F (Fail). The Student would then be reviewed again by the SPC to discuss Deceleration.
Definitions
Medical Science courses: There are three (3) Medical Science courses in each of the three (3) semesters of the Foundation Phase. All students are required to take and pass these nine (9) courses to proceed in the MD program curriculum.
Clinical Reasoning Examination: A written evaluation designed to test student mastery of course learning objectives
Course Director vs. Medical Science Director: Course directors lead a single course within the preclinical medical science curriculum. Medical Science directors are the directors of record for all preclinical medical science courses and provide oversight to the Medical Science Course Directors.
Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE): A comprehensive objective document summarizing a Student’s academic performance, clinical rotations, and professional characteristics for residency applications.
Remediate, Remediation: Remediation refers to the process of providing additional instruction, support, and interventions to Students who receive a grade of F (Fail) in a course.
Decelerate, Deceleration: Deceleration is an alternative distribution of the preclinical courses that allows Students to complete the first- and second-year curriculum in three (3) years. Deceleration may allow Students to decompress their curriculum or repeat a course (or courses) in which they have deficiencies or failing grades. Deceleration must be approved by the Student Progress Committee (SPC).
Related Requirements
External Regulations
Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: Kathleen Barnhouse, Associate Dean for Preclinical Curriculum
Email: Kathleen_barnhouse@med.unc.edu
Publication Details
Issuing Officer: Heather Tarantino, Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs
Email: heather_tarantino@med.unc.edu
Effective Date: May 1, 2026
Review Cycle: Education Committee will review on an as-needed basis with input from the Foundation Phase Committee
Next Review Date: April 30, 2028