Rules of studies
RULES OF STUDIES
in the English Division of the Pharmacy Department
of THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 1
1. Admission to the University of Medicine in Warsaw, hereinafter referred to as the ‘University’ takes place with the matriculation and oath. After the matriculation a student receives a student record book and a student card.
A student record book is a document presenting the course and results of studies.
2.Students as a whole are represented by the bodies of the Self-Government of the Students of the University.
II. ORGANIZATION OF STUDIES
§ 2
Studies are pursued according to plans and curricula determined by the University in accordance with the procedure specified by the Law on Higher Education.
§ 3
1.The academic year begins not later than on 1 October and lasts no longer than 30 September of the following calendar year.
2.The academic year consists of the winter and the summer semester, the winter and the summer examination session and the winter and the summer vacation. Each semester consists of 15 weeks of study.
3.The dates of the commencement and termination of the semesters, of examination sessions as well as the semester break and the summer vacations are determined and announced by the Rector every year, at the latest by the end of the summer semester of the preceding academic year.
4.A detailed plan and timetable of classes are made available prior to the beginning of the semester.
§ 4
1.There are Pedagogical Councils operating in individual years of studies
2. Pedagogical Councils are advisory and consultative bodies of the Dean in all matters concerning the teaching and educational process.
3.The tasks of Pedagogical Councils include:
1/ analysis of the curricula and contents of teaching in a given year of studies,
2/ analysis of the organization and course of studies in a given year as well as the course of the teaching process in individual teaching units,
3/ integration of teaching in a given year of studies,
4/ coordination of the timetable of classes, credits, tests and exams in a given year of studies,
5/ analysis of the results of learning by individual students and presentation to the Dean of relevant conclusions,
8/ analysis and evaluation of motions put forward by the student community with respect to the teaching and educational process.
4.The Pedagogical Council gathers:
1/ the chairman appointed by the Dean with the approval of the student self-government from among academic teachers having classes in a given year of studies,
2/ members appointed by the Dean on the motion put forward by heads of units or bodies of the student self-government,
3/ two students.
5.The chairman of the Pedagogical Council is simultaneously the tutor of the year.
6.Meetings of the Pedagogical Council are attended by student group prefects and representatives of youth organizations operating on a given year of studies who have an advisory voice.
§ 5
The rules and the procedure of the approval by the Dean of the completion of practical placements resulting from the course of studies are determined by separate regulations.
§ 6
1.The number of students in student groups in classes is determined as follows
1/ lectures should be given for all the students of a given year as a whole,
2/ seminars, foreign language classes and classes not specified in Item 3 should be conducted in the so-called Dean’s groups, their recommended number being 15-20 people,
3/ clinical classes in medical faculties should be conducted in groups of 4-5 students,
4/ physical education classes should be conducted in groups of 15 -30 students.
2.In all other cases the number of students in a group is determined by the Dean. The Dean can reduce the size of groups after a prior approval by the Rector.
III. RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF STUDENTS
§ 7
A student has the right:
1/ to develop their interests and to take advantage for this aim of the teaching premises, equipment and resources of the University (also after teaching hours provided it does not collide with the normal course of work) as well as of the assistance of the academic staff and bodies of the University,
2/ to associate in the Student Scientific Society and to take part in research, development and implementation works carried out in the university,
3/ to receive distinctions,
4/ to wear student insignia referring to the tradition of the faculty of medicine of the Medical University,
5/ to receive teaching guides for a given year of studies at the beginning of a given academic year. The guides should include the curriculum of studies so that after the termination of the academic year they could serve as a basis for the evaluation of the curriculum by institutes and clinics,
6/ to evaluate the forms of teaching (lectures, seminars, classes) in institutes and clinics, including also the work of the academic staff. The ways and criteria of the evaluation are determined by the authorities of the Medical University with the approval of the Student Self-Government of the Medical University.
7/ to apply for a place in a students’ house,
8/ to receive a transcript (a list of grades) in the form of an informal copy after each academic year for which payment has been made to the University. The original of the transcript will be made available upon the student’s graduation or in case of a transfer to another university directly to the latter.
§ 8
The duties of a student include full utilization of the education-related opportunities provided to them by the University as well as compliance with the contents of the oath and the rules of studies.
In particular, a student is obliged to:
1/ gain knowledge and skills,
2/ observe the rules and regulations in force in the University,
3/ show respect to the staff of the University and respect the principles of friendly relations with other students,
4/ look after the dignity of the student and the good of the University,
5/ observe the principles of medical ethics and deontology.
§ 9
A student shall bear responsibility for breaking the provisions of law or duties specified in Para 8 of the Rules of Studies in accordance with the principles specified in the Law on Higher Education.
§ 10
1. A student can move from another university to the Medical University in Warsaw with the Dean’s consent provided he has met all the obligations resulting from the regulations in force in the university at which he studied .
2. Admission to higher years of studies of people who commenced studies abroad requires a relevant decision of the Dean.
3. Students transferred from other higher education institutions with another plan of studies can take up studies in a relevant year provided they get credits in the missing subjects. Decision in this respect is made by the Dean.
IV. GETTING CREDITS FOR THE YEAR
§ 11
1. The credit period is an academic year.
2. A student receives credits for a given year provided:
1/ he obtains credits, confirmed by relevant entries in the student record book, in all subjects and practical placements foreseen in the plan of studies,
2/ he receives at least a satisfactory grade in all examinations foreseen in the plan of studies.
3. A student should get credits for an academic year not later than by 30 September. Having passed all the examinations a student shall immediately submit the student record book together with the examination card to the Dean’s Office. The remaining students shall submit their student record books and examination cards after the examination session but not later then by 30 September. Otherwise a student will not be admitted to classes. A student record book, completed and signed by the Dean, is the basis for enrolling the student in the list of students of the following year.
4. The grades applied in examinations present as follows:
1/ very good = 5.0
2/ more than good = 4.5
3/ good = 4.0
4/ quite good = 3.5
5/ satisfactory = 3.0
6/ unsatisfactory = 2.0
In order to emphasize a student’s profound knowledge of a subject, the examiner in the subject can write a verbal grade ‘excellent’ in the student’s record book and examination card.
5. The mean grade is calculated on the basis of examination grades only.
6. A student should get credits in all classes within the time specified by the plan of studies or at the time agreed on with a relevant teacher but not later than by the end of the academic year or before the examination session in which an examination in a given subject is foreseen.
7. The schedule and the ways of getting credits in classes are determined at the beginning of the academic year or at the beginning of the semester by the Pedagogical Council on the motion put forward by heads of units approved by the Dean and announced to students. This concerns also the criteria and the way of giving examination credits to the best students.
8. A student involved in research works within teams carrying out the research plans of a clinic or an institute can obtain credits in classes or practical classes if they correspond to the curriculum of studies and are related in their contents to a relevant part of the curriculum.
9. The way, form and timing for making up for arrears resulting from a justified absence from control classes are determined by the head of the unit in charge of the classes. The arrears should be made up for by the end of a given semester. Making up for arrears at a later date requires a consent of the Dean.
10. Students are informed about examinations obligatory to a student in a given year prior to the beginning of an academic year.
§ 12
1. A student who received credits in all classes obligatory in a given year can take the obligatory exams.
2. A student who made up for missed classes and received credits in a given subject can, upon a consent of the head of the clinic or institute and also a consent of the Dean, take an exam at any time during the academic year but not later than during the examination session which a given exam is foreseen in.
3. A student who takes advantage of the right to take an exam ahead of time is obliged to take the exam in the examination session in which the exam is foreseen.
4. The exact organization of an examination session is determined by the Dean with the approval of the Pedagogical Council. The dates of individual exams in the nearest session are made available to students at the beginning of a semester.
5. In justified cases, the Dean, with the approval of the Pedagogical Council, can admit to an examination session a student who failed to get credits in classes or practical classes in due time. This decision is taken by the Dean if the head of the unit conducting the outstanding classes believes that the student in question can make up for the arrears and receive credits in the outstanding classes before the beginning of the nearest retake examination session.
6. Having received the missing credit, the student sits the examination in a given subject. Such an examination is treated as an examination taken on the first examination date.
7. An examination in every subjects is held separately and is separately evaluated. This does not concern subjects grouped in teaching blocks for which an examination can be given jointly, the joint examination grade given then applying to each of the subjects covered by the examination.
8. The scope and form of an examination is determined by the head of the teaching unit and made available to the Pedagogical Council and students at the beginning of the semester.
§ 13
1. In case of receiving an unsatisfactory grade in an examination, a student has the right to one retake exam in each of the subjects failed.
2. A student shall sit retake exams by the end of the nearest examination session.
3. Failure to sit an examination or its part at the time indicated without a justification is equivalent to receiving an unsatisfactory grade which is entered into the student record book.
4. A student should notify the examiner of the reason for their failure to sit an examination within three days of the examination date at the latest. In case the student’s failure to sit the examination is found to be justified, the Dean, with the approval of the examiner, shall set a new date of the examination. Such an examination is treated as an examination taken in due time.
§ 14
1. In case of a student’s failure to pass a retake examination, on a student’s motion put forward within 7 days from the date of the retake examination, the Dean may, in justified cases, arrange a special resit examination which should take place within 14 days of the submission of the motion.
2. The Dean appoints an examination board consisting of:
1/ the chairman – the Dean or Deputy Dean of the Faculty,
2/ the examiner - the head of the unit teaching a given subject or a person authorized
by him,
3/ a member of the board – the chairman of the Pedagogical Council,
4/ an academic teacher chosen by the student at the latter’s request.
3. A representative of the Student Self-Government can be present at the special resit examination.
4. The Dean can order a special resit examination on his own initiative.
5. The grade given by the examination board is final.
§ 15
1. Should a student fail to complete a year of studies, the Dean can decide to:
1/ allow the student to repeat the year,
2/ conditionally allow the student who failed one exam to continue studies in the following year. A conditional permission to continue studies in a higher year obliges the student to pass the exam in question within the time agreed on with the Dean,
3/ cross the student out from the list of students.
2. A student repeating a year of studies receives credits in classes and exams from the previous year of studies provided he received in them at least a satisfactory grade. Exemptions from repeating classes and examinations are granted by the head of the unit teaching a given subject.
3. A student repeating a year or a semester due to a long-lasting disease or other serious reasons can have credits in classes and examinations from the previous year or semester recognized on the consent of the Dean.
4. A student can be crossed out from the list of students in the following cases:
1/ failure to get credits for the year of studies in question,
2/ resignation from studies,
3/ ruling of a disciplinary commission on expulsion from the University,
4/ failure to pay in the tuition fee in the amount and within the time set by the Rector.
§ 16
1. A person crossed out from the list of students (of the 2nd and higher years of studies) for reasons specified in Para 15 Sect. 4 Items 1, 2 and 3, 4 can get a permission for resuming studies.
2. Conditions for the resumption of studies after a break are determined by the Dean.
V. REWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
§ 17
1. A diploma with a distinction is awarded to graduates who jointly satisfy the following conditions:
1/ completed studies within the time determined by the plan of studies,
2/ obtained from examinations a mean grade not lower than 4.6,
3/ a diploma with a distinction is awarded by the Board of the Faculty upon a motion put forward by the Dean,
4/ the Rector or the Dean can formally praise a graduate for achievements in studies or participation in the works of a research group, this being recorded in the student’s record book.
VI. LEAVES
§ 18
1. In justified cases the Dean can, upon a motion submitted by a student, give a dean’s leave to a given student.
2. The extension of a dean’s leave shall be confirmed with a relevant entry into the student’s record book.
3. While on a dean’s leave, the student maintains all the original student’s rights.
4. While on a dean’s leave, the student can, upon the Dean’s consent and having made relevant payments, take part in some classes as well as take tests and examinations.
5. In case of an illness, the dean’s leave is given on the basis of a medical statement.
6. After the end of the sick leave, the student can be admitted to classes after submission of a doctor’s statement on their being able to resume studies.
7. Extension of a leave automatically postpones the planned termination of studies by the time of the duration of the leave.
VII. COMPLETION OF STUDIES
§ 19
Credits in all classes and practical placements as well as positive grades in all exams foreseen in the plan of studies are the conditions which must be satisfied by a student to get a diploma of completing studies and to receive the title of a medical doctor.
§ 20
1. A graduate receives a diploma of completing studies in accordance with the model specified by separate regulations.
2. The final result of studies is calculated on the basis of the arithmetic mean of all examination grades.
3. A graduate has the right to keep the student’s record book.
VIII. DOCUMENTATION OF THE COURSE OF STUDIES IN THE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
§ 21
The course of studies should be recorded in:
1/ examination protocols,
2/ student record book,
3/ examination card,
4/ register or students’ files.
§ 22
The completion of studies is recorded in:
1/ student record book,
2/ students’ album,
3/ book of diplomas,
4/ register or students’ files.
IX. FINAL PROVISIONS
§ 23
Decisions on matters concerning the organization and course of studies not covered by the provisions of these Rules are made by the Dean who can seek consultation with the student self-government.
§ 24
In cases in which decisions are made by the Dean, a student can appeal against them to the Rector.
