Policy for Review of the Curriculum

Approved by: Dean, University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine

Effective 5/19/2025

This Policy Applies To:

M.D. Program Curriculum

Who Needs To Know This Policy

University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) Medical Students, Faculty and Staff

Definitions

Review of the Curriculum:The ongoing monitoring, review, and revision of the medical education program objectives, learning objectives, content, and instructional and assessment methods by the faculty to ensure that the curriculum functions effectively as a whole to achieve medical education program objectives.

Phase: Distinct stage or period within the overall curriculum (e.g. preclinical, clinical)

Responsibilities & Procedures

The faculty of the Office of Curricular Affairs will be responsible for gathering all necessary data for the review process. The Office of Curricular Affairs will provide administrative support for the Review of the Curriculum.

Purpose/Background

The medical curriculum uses formally adopted medical education program objectives (MEPOs) to guide the selection of curriculum content, and to review and revise the curriculum. To ensure continued excellence in education and that the curriculum functions effectively as a whole to achieve the MEPOs, these MEPOs, course learning objectives and content, and instructional and assessment methods shall be subject to ongoing monitoring, review and revision by faculty.

Policy

The Medical Education Steering Committee (MESC) shall have the authority to initiate a Review of the Curriculum. Review of the Curriculum shall cycle between phase based and whole curriculum review as defined by the MESC. The review cycle shall repeat no less frequently than every five years, however the MESC can initiate the process more frequently at their discretion.

The Review of the Curriculum will be performed by an ad hoc workgroup that has representation from the MESC, biomedical and clinical science faculty.

The ad-hoc workgroup will receive their charge from the MESC and this charge, at minimum, shall include the analysis of available curricular data, vertical and horizontal integration of the curriculum and assessment of curricular gaps and redundancies. The workgroup shall provide a "Review of the Curriculum Report" including recommendations to the MESC for action. The report shall be shared with the Dean of the School of Medicine, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the Department Chairs, student curriculum representatives and relevant curricular subcommittees. Further dissemination will be at the discretion of the MESC.