The performance of students in pharmacology is evaluated from examination scores and participation in pharmacology conference groups. Three interval examinations in pharmacology are administered during the course and are required for all students. The subject matter for these examinations will be taken from reading assignments, lectures, and conferences. Examinations are weighted on the basis of the number of lecture/teaching units per interval. A student with an unsatisfactory performance (less than 65% correct response) on an interval examination will be notified in writing and expected to confer with his/her conference instructor or a Course Director. Appointments with individual faculty for remedial tutorials will be scheduled according to need. Make up examinations will be available only to students who have been formally excused in advance by both the Office of Student Affairs and a Course Director.

The record submitted by the Department of Pharmacology to the Registrar at the conclusion of the course will indicate "Honors", "High Pass", "Pass", "Low Pass", or "Fail". To receive a grade of at least "Low Pass" an overall score of 65% is required. The overall score is comprised of the total score on the interval examinations (85%) and a score from conference performance (15%). Participation in conferences is viewed as an essential part of this course. Each unexcused absence from conference will result, therefore, in a reduction of two percentage points from the score for conference participation.

A student with a grade of "Fail" (a total score < 65%) may remediate that grade to a "Low Pass" by obtaining a Subject Test Score of 62 or better on the USMLE Subject Examination in Pharmacology (mean of 70, standard deviation of 8) to be administered at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School during late May. Students choosing this option must inform Dr. N. Walworth of this decision by May 15. A second option for remediating a grade of "Fail" is to complete successfully a course in Medical Pharmacology offered at an LCME-accredited medical school. A student with a "Fail" who either chooses not to exercise or is unsucessful in exercising one of the above options will be required to repeat the course in the subsequent academic year with a satisfactory performance. Students with a grade of LP may elect to sit for the USMLE I Subject exam. Those who receive a grade of 70 or greater will have their grade altered to indicate a grade of Pass.

A grade of "Honors" is reserved for students with excellent achievement in pharmacology as judged by the faculty. Excellent achievement includes both an outstanding academic performance on examinations and an exceptional performance in conference groups as judged by the conference instructor.

Students who wish to appeal the scoring of an examination question must meet with one of the two course directors within one week of the date of return of that examination. Further appeals may be made to the Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology.