Principle

Overview 

Curriculum review is an essential component for the effective delivery of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program. As indicated in the accreditation standards of the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools (CACMS), the Faculty of Medicine (FoM) has a responsibility to engage in the ongoing monitoring, review, and revision of program objectives, learning objectives, curriculum content, and instructional and assessment methods for the MD program. Proposed changes to the MD program curriculum require appropriate consultation, review, and approval prior to implementation.

Purpose

To support the review and approval process for curriculum development and modification in the MD program.

Scope

The MD program at Memorial University (Memorial).

Definitions

Curriculum Oversight Subcommittee (COS) — Subcommittee of the Undergraduate Medical Studies (UGMS) Committee that is responsible for monitoring curricular content and objectives, and enhancing, clarifying and maintaining processes related to the ongoing review, monitoring, and management of curriculum.

Session — A component of course delivery which includes, but is not limited to, a lecture, lab, or tutorial.

Undergraduate Medical Studies (UGMS) Committee — A committee established to govern all aspects of the curriculum for the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program.

Policy

1.0 Type of Curriculum Changes 

1.1 Approval requirements and processes are dependent on the type of curriculum change being recommended. Curriculum changes are grouped into the categories as described below. 

1.2 Minor Curriculum Content Changes 

1.2.1 Minor curriculum content changes are revisions that do not significantly affect the intended content and/or delivery of the curriculum. Examples include, but are not limited to:  

1.2.1.1 Session title modification;

1.2.1.2 Re-wording of session objectives; 

1.2.1.3 Adding or removing objectives for a session; 

1.2.1.4 Assigning objectives to a different session; 

1.2.1.5 Changing session teaching and learning methods; 

1.2.1.6 Splitting a session into multiple sessions; merging multiple sessions into one.

1.3 Major Curriculum Content Changes 

1.3.1 Major curriculum content changes are revisions that significantly modify the intended content and/or delivery of the curriculum. Examples include, but are not limited to:  

1.3.1.1 Increasing or decreasing the length of time for a session; 

1.3.1.2 Moving a session to a different theme or Phase; 

1.3.1.3 Adding or removing a session in a course; 

1.3.1.4 Assessment method changes. 

1.4 Minor Program Changes 

1.4.1 Minor program changes are modifications to program components that do not affect the intended delivery of the program. Normally, these changes are initiated from undergraduate medical education (UGME) leadership teams (e.g. Phase Management Team; Curriculum Oversight Subcommittee (COS); Undergraduate Medical Studies (UGMS) committee). Examples of minor program changes include, but are not limited to: 

1.4.1.1 Changing course goals;

1.4.1.2 Changing course names; 

1.4.1.3 Changing course descriptions; 

1.4.1.4 Changing program outcomes. 

1.5. Major Program Changes 

1.5.1. Major program changes, as outlined in the CACMS Rules of Procedure, are major modifications of the MD program curriculum and include a major reorganization of one or more years of the program, the program as a whole, or the introduction of a new educational ‘track’ (a parallel program of study for a segment of the student body).  

1.5.2. CACMS must be provided with a notification of major modifications, as well as planned class-size increases or the introduction of new or expanded branch campuses.

Procedures: