Note: This is the 2016–2017 edition of the eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or click here to jump to the newest eCalendar.
General Principles of Evaluation and Promotion in Dentistry
All issues related to student promotion and graduation are the responsibility of the Student Promotion Committee.
The Evaluation System is under constant review by the Faculty of Dentistry. The Faculty reserves the right to change rules and regulations at any time, although in general such changes will not come into effect in the middle of an academic year/promotion period.
Dent-P Program
Dent-P Program
A student accepted to the Dent-P program will be required to register for a full year in the Faculty of Science. In that year, the student must take courses totalling 30 credits. Following the successful completion of this year as determined by a Student Promotion Committee, students will proceed into the first year of the four-year D.M.D. program. Students must obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 with all individual grades of B or higher for required courses (including complementary science courses) and passing grades for all complementary non-science courses to be promoted into the first year of the D.M.D. program.
Please note that a grade of B in all courses would lead to a GPA of 3.0, and that a grade of B in required courses and grades below B in complementary courses would lead to a GPA below 3.0.
D.M.D. Program
D.M.D. Program
- In the first 16 months of the program, a student's promotion is governed by the rules and regulations of the Faculty of Medicine. See Academic Policies, and particularly www.mcgill.ca/ugme/academic-policies/promotion-regulations and www.mcgill.ca/ugme/academic-policies/absences-and-leaves.
- The passing grade for all course requirements is 60%, including an overall final grade of 60%. The passing grade on any remedial activity or supplemental examination is 60%. A supplemental exam may not be repeated. Final grades are reported as "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory".
- Students will be required to attend all small group sessions and apprenticeship group meetings. Each absence must be substantiated by written documentation. Sessions missed for reasons that are not valid or approved will be graded as "0" for those sessions.
- The Committee on Student Promotion and Curricular Outcomes (CSPCO) will review the entire record of any student in academic difficulty.
- Students are required to attend all clinical activities and laboratory sessions. The requirements for clinical attendance are indicated in the course outlines of the clinical courses. Repeated absences could result in a failure in the course.
- A student must pass both components of a course comprising a didactic and a practical/clinical component.
- Students must maintain a GPA of 2.90 during the Preclinical program, third year, and fourth year to be promoted.
- A student with a GPA of less than 2.90 during the Preclinical program, third year, or fourth year will be permitted to write a maximum of two supplemental examinations each year to raise his/her GPA.
- A student who fails a maximum of two courses during the Preclinical program, third year, or fourth year will be permitted to write supplemental examinations in the courses failed.
- A student who fails a component of a course comprising a didactic and a practical/clinical component will be required to take a supplemental examination in the component failed. A fee may be attached to these requirements.
- Supplemental examinations will be held during the month of August. There is a fee for each supplemental examination; refer to the Student Accounts website for more information.
- Deferred examinations will be held a soon as possible after the original examination. There is a fee for each deferred examination; refer to the Student Accounts website for more information.
- A student who fails more than two courses per year will be required to repeat the year.
- Failure in any supplemental examination or remedial evaluation will require the student to repeat the year.
- The Student Promotion Committee will review the entire record of any student in the following circumstances: academic difficulty, unprofessional behaviour, drug or substance abuse, criminal activity, illness interfering with performance, etc. This could result in the student being dismissed from the program or a suspension from the program for up to one year. The Student Promotion Committee has the right to dismiss any student who is considered unsuitable or incompetent for the practice of dentistry.
- Cheating on examinations, including examinations administered by the Faculty of Dentistry on behalf of external agencies, is an academic offence.
-
A student will be placed on “probation” by the Faculty of Dentistry Student Promotion Committee for any of the following reasons:
- Student obtains a final grade of “fail” in any course.
- Students who receive 2 independent evaluations indicating a “Problem” or “Concern” in one or more evaluation categories in a single evaluation period will be required to meet with the course director to discuss the problem and means of resolving it.
- Unprofessional behaviour and/or disciplinary action resulting from violations of the Code of Ethics of the Order of Dentists of Quebec.
- Once placed on probation, students will remain on probation until completion of the program. “Probation” means the following:
- A student who is placed on probation is automatically monitored by the Student Promotion Committee. The subsequent course is determined by that body; options include continued probation, remedial activity, repeat of a promotion period, or dismissal from the program.
- A student may not repeat more than one year in the curriculum.
- A student who is repeating a year must attain passing final grades in all courses and sections and a GPA of 2.9 or higher in the repeat year. If this standard is not achieved the student will be dismissed from the program.
- A student has the right to state his/her case before the Faculty of Dentistry Student Promotion Committee; this is accomplished by a written submission. In certain circumstances, e.g., issues of credibility or in cases where the student may be dismissed, the student may be invited to appear in person. The student may be accompanied by an adviser who must be a member of the McGill community and cannot be compensated for this in any way. The proceedings will be conducted in a manner consistent with principles of natural justice (See Student Rights and Responsibilities).
Decisions made by the Faculty of Dentistry Student Promotion Committee may be reviewed upon receipt of substantive, new information.