Office of Medical Education
Academic Development
The Prematriculation Summer Program (PSP)
Prior to the beginning of the academic year, incoming 1st years are invited to take part in a six-week simulation of the first year curriculum. Participants study significant portions of Structure and Development and Cell and Molecular Biology, and are given a brief introduction to Functional Systems; learn to handle medical school's accelerated pace and grasp-of-material demands; gain practice in gross anatomy and histology labs, small group study, and exam taking; and, refine their study skills and habits to meet the new challenges. PSP is especially designed for students who are at greater risk of not succeeding in medical school; such applicants are given enrollment preference. Follow-up studies consistently have shown that PSP has had a positive and significant impact on the academic achievement of PSP students. Each year, the program also affords a select group of academically talented sophomores the opportunity to explore academic medicine and sharpen their own academic knowledge by teaching this class of approximately 20 students.
Supplemental Instruction
Individual and small group tutorials are available to all 1st and 2nd years at no charge, as needed.
Academic Development Workshops
At various times throughout the year, formal presentations and panel discussions addressing topics of general concern and interest (e.g., time management, active learning, test-taking, and course previews) are conducted.
Academic Counseling
Individual counseling sessions, focusing on problems affecting academic performance and strategies for improvement, are available to all medical, physical therapy, genetic counseling, and medical technology students.
Academic Monitoring
First and second year exam results are reviewed frequently. Students who do not pass an exam or whose results are significantly lower than usual are invited in for consultation as soon as possible after the poor exam showing. The student works with the Director in specifying what went wrong and in fashioning an appropriate remedy. Follow-up contacts provide additional support to the student.
Board Preparation
A series of activities assist 2nd years in getting ready for the USMLE Step I. Activities include: gathering and sharing with 2nd years the collective wisdom of juniors whom have just taken the boards; offering frequent formal review sessions covering "high yield" exam topics; conducting occasional information-sharing workshops and panel discussions; identifying "at risk" students who may have difficulty with Step I for special board prep assistance; in individual consultations, structuring study strategies/schedules, answering questions and discussing areas of concern; administering a February mock board which provides students with baseline information as well as giving a "heads up" that the boards are approaching; helping those who must retake the Step I. Board review books are available for circulation from the Academic Development resource library. By request, assistance also is given to those preparing for the Step II or the specialty licensing exams.
Research
Ongoing data collection and analysis provide a source of information useful in clarifying the role and interplay of various factors involved in student learning. These qualitative and quantitative data sets are utilized by others conducting research or making curriculum decisions.
Educational Screening/Special Accommodations
Students with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders receive assistance in minimizing the disability's impact on their academic performance. Students suspected of being LD or ADD, but not previously identified as such, are referred for testing. If the results are positive, the director assists the student in gaining accommodations and adjusting his/her study approach accordingly.
IT Support
Laptops
Incoming 1st years are issued a laptop on the first day of school. The laptop provided is chosen by the Office of Medical Education and is required to be purchased by each incoming student – there are no exceptions. Students are not permitted to supply their own laptop due to the unique warranty service that we provide for student laptops. The laptop's cost is billed to each student through tuition. The laptop's service is provided by the Office of Medical Education and supported by the supplier and the manufacturer for 4 years. Laptop service is defined as total care service – everything is covered for 4 years (exceptions being loss or theft). Our laptop service policy is straight-forward – bring the laptop to our office for repair. If the laptop problem warrants providing the student with a loaner computer a loaner will be issued if available. The laptop service office is located in HH 243 and is open for business Monday through Friday 9a - 4p. Also via email, techsupport@clc.umaryland.edu.
MedScope
The Office of Medical Education also maintains the student curricular website, MedScope. This is a password-restricted website that houses the teaching materials used in Years 1-4. The site is supported by the Instructional Technology Group - medscope@clc.umaryland.edu.
Student Group Websites
OME provides hosting services for any student group that wishes to have a website. The group itself is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the site. Any group interested in setting up a website should contact the Instructional Technology Group, medscope@clc.umaryland.edu.
Facilities
The Office of Medical Education supports the following facilities:
Taylor Lecture Hall (Bressler Research Building Floor 1) – seats 160 for daily lectures and scheduled examinations. Each seat provides wireless and wired connectivity and power.
Hosick Lecture Hall – (Bressler Research Building Floor 1) – seats 175 and is a backup lecture hall. There is no connectivity in this area.
Pass and Susel Multi-disciplinary Labs (Howard Hall Floor 2) – 15 rooms each seating 12-14 for small group learning. Each seat provides wireless and wired connectivity and power. There are 6 student printers located throughout this area.
MSTF Auditorium (MSTF Floor 1) – seats 350 for clinical correlates and occasional lectures. This area only provides wireless connectivity.
Various classrooms throughout the medical school complex that can be used for study, interest group events, or small group learning. Classrooms do not have connectivity or power for each user.
PC Lab 258 (MSTF Floor 2) – seats 20 for Internet and printing access. There are two student printers in this area.
Any location listed above can be reserved by students for interest group meetings or study groups as long as the reservation does not conflict with scheduled events. Students can request space by emailing rooms@clc.umaryland.edu.
The Office of Medical Education also provides Multimedia Services and equipment to students. These services can be requested at AV@clc.umaryland.edu.
Last Revision: January 28, 2013