University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Collegium Medicum

Faculty of Medicine

Rules and regulations of  Pathology for students of the School of Medicine Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

1. General information.

1.1 Subject is conducted by the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn.

1.2 Employees responsible for the realization of the subject:

a. Head of the Department:  Konrad Ptaszyński, MD, PhD, MBA

b. Subject Coordinator:  Marta Ruskań-Bakun, MD

c. Persons responsible for realization of  particular types of classes:

Lectures: Konrad Ptaszyński, MD, PhD, MBA; Aleksandra Sejda, MD, PhD

Classes: Karolina Hejne MD, Marta Ruskań-Bakun MD; Anna Kabać- Obrączka MD, Wiktoria Lipińska MD, Hanna Majewska MD, PhD

Seminars: Konrad Ptaszyński, MD, PhD, MBA; Hanna Majewska, MD, PhD; Anna Kabać- Obrączka MD, Karolina Hejne MD

1.3 The place, time and topic of individual forms of classes. seminars, lectures and credits are specified in the following documents: study plan, syllabus and schedule of the classes.

2. Pathology takes the form of lectures, classes and seminars.

a. Lectures for all students in a given semester are conducted in the form of multimedia presentations.

b. Classes are conducted in dean groups of 10-15 people. During each exercise, topic will be discussed in accordance with the exercise schedule, with the presentation of microscopic preparations. In addition, the classes can take place in the section room and laboratory classes at the Voivodeship Hospital and the Regional Specialist Hospital in Olsztyn (evaluation of macroscopic preparations and autopsies).

c. Seminars are conducted in groups of 20-30 students in the form of multimedia presentations.

3. Rules for students’ participation in specific forms of classes.

a. Students are required to attend the classes and seminars in accordance with the exercise and seminar groups allocated at the beginning of each semester. In exceptional situations, students may do classes or seminars with another group with the prior consultation of the person conducting the classes.

b. Before entering lectures, seminars and classes, external clothing should be left in the locker room.

c. Students will be informed of the autopsy the day before the classes (by e-mail or phone). During the section exercises, a doctor's outfit and shoes are intended exclusively for walking in the section room. Students dressed not in accordance with applicable regulations will not be allowed to exercise.

d. During all classes students are required to have a photo ID. Lack of ID precludes the student from participating in the classes.

e. It is necessary to keep silent during all pathology classes, in particular sectional and laboratory classes. In addition, the use of cell phones and other electronic devices is not permitted. Using the above mentioned is possible only on the instruction of the teacher. Failure to comply with the above point of the regulations may result in expulsion from classes, failing them and will be treated as an absence from classes requiring making up in accordance with the principles set out in point 4.

f. Students are not allowed to make decisions connected with corpses without consulting a doctor.

g. Students who show an inappropriate attitude towards corpses or treat their medical duties in a disrespectful manner will be directed to the Head of the Pathomorphology Department, who will decide on further proceedings.

h. For security reasons, it is allowed to stay in the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine up to 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after the scheduled classes.

i. During classes taking place outside the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine, the regulations governing the use of individual rooms apply.

4. Attendance and absence.

4.1 Classes, seminars, lectures, colloquiums and exam are held according to the presented plan, according to the schedule and during the hours provided for in the schedule.

4.2 Attendance in classes, seminars and lectures is obligatory.

4.3 All absences must be excused.

Absence is understood as absence from the whole class or being over 15 minutes late. In the situation of a delay of more than 15 minutes, lateness is considered an absence. In these cases, it is necessary to provide document according to the rules described in section 4.5 and do the classes according to the principles set out in section 4.6. In the case of failure to comply, the provisions of the regulations relating to unexcused absence shall apply. In the case of colloquium and exam, the room will be closed together with the entrance to the room of the last person arrived at the time set as the date of the colloquium or exam given two weeks before. After this time, students will not be able to enter the room, which results in failing a given colloquium or exam.

4.4 A total of two excused absences from classes, seminars or lectures are allowed during the semester.

4.5 In order to excuse absence from lectures, classes, seminars, colloquiums, exam, the student should provide appropriate document at the secretariat of the Chair of Pathomorphology. It is a medical or other certificate confirming exceptional circumstances independent of the Student. The certificate must be submitted within a maximum of 7 working days of the absence.

4.6 a. In the case of excused absence from classes, the student is obliged to know the material from a given oral topic in the next meeting. In excused cases, the student may, with the consultation of the person conducting the classes, arrange a date for doing classes at a time convenient for both. If the student fails to pass the classes the student is failing the semester as well. It means that student is not allowed to write the final exam.

b. In the case of an excused absence at seminars, the student obtains credit on the basis of a written / oral test including the material of the seminar after the end of the seminar cycle of the given semester / or at the next seminar. Failure to pass the seminars means failing the semester and not allowing the student  to take the exam.

c. In the case of an excused absence from the lecture, the student is required to take the written / oral test including the material of the lecture after the lecture cycle of the given semester. Failure to pass the lectures means failing the semester and not allowing the student to take the exam.

4.7 Not excused absence from class, seminars, lectures; colloquium or exam results in failing to complete the semester, colloquium and exam, respectively.

4.8 More than 2 excused absences from the subject result in failure of the semester.

4.9 In the case of an excused absence at the exam, the student shall proceed to the next date as his first date and is allowed to write two exam retakes.

5. Conditions and manner of awarding credits in a semster

5.1 Lectures

a. Student gets a passing grade based upon presence and active participation in lectures.

b. All topics and materials given during the lecture will be included in the Final Examination.

5.2 Practical classes

a. Theoretical knowledge may be checked orally during each practical class. Required knowledge includes subject of present practicall class and all previous practical classes. In case of lack of answers for the questions asked by the teacher student may fail to pass a practical class, and will be obliged to retake this class basing on the rules and regulations described in paragraph 4.

b. Informations about material and knowledge required for practical classes must be provided at least one week before these classes.

c. Topics of practical classes are given in a form of a schdule on a website of the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine and hanged on an information board at the department.

5.3 Seminars

a. Seminars are conducted in the form of multimedia presentations presented by students.

b. The topics of the seminars are presented in the schedule given at the beginning of the semester, available on the website of the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine and on the board at the headquarters of the department conducting the classes.

c. At each seminar, two people prepare 30-45 minute presentations.

d. The student receives credit for the seminars based on the grade for the presentation, activity and the student's cooperation during classes. A student who does not demonstrate knowledge in a given seminar class fail the seminar and will be treated as absent from classes requiring making up in accordance with the principles set out in point 4.

5.4 Examination

a. To take the Examination Student must pass all practical classes, seminars and lectures, and receive a final passing grade from both, IV-th and V-th semester.

b. The exam takes place after the end of the teaching cycle and takes the form of a single-choice test. The exam consists of a theoretical part (75 questions) and a practical part (5 questions) including test questions for macroscopic and microscopic photos presented on slides.

c. Material and knowledge required for the Examination includes all seminars, practical classes and lectures.

d. Together with the examination test, the student receives an answer sheet, which he fills out in block letters. Only the answer sheet is assessed. If the student changes his or her answer, the student signs his or her signature on the above-mentioned card, next to the crossed out and changed answer.

e. The person responsible for conducting the exam and determining the place and date of the exam is the Subject Coordinator or a person designated by him

f. Scale of grades:

0-59% –  fail (niedostateczny - 2)

60-68% – satisfactory (dostateczny - 3)

69-76% – satisfactory plus (dostateczny plus – 3,5)

77-84% – good (dobry - 4)

85-92% – good plus (dobry plus – 4,5)

93-100% – very good (bardzo dobry – 5).

g. In case of failing grade from the First-Time Examination, Student has a right to retake the Examination twice, in written form, graded according to the rules of the First-Time Examination. There is no possibility to retake the Examination orally. The date of each Retake Examination will be set by the Coordinator of a Subject or a person designated by the Coordinator, and will be the same for every Student, who fails previous Examination or who was absent during previous Examination.

h. All doubts and objections raised to the Examination questions will be taken under consideration according to the Rules and Regulations of Studies.

i. Receiving positive (passing) grade from the Final Examination is necessary to obtain passing grade from the Subject of Pathomorphology.

j. Checking the cards by the student is possible in the Department only. This date will be available on the website immediately after the examination. Otherwise, access to the answer sheets will not be possible. Access to the examination test is possible after submitting written applications to the Head of the Department of Pathomorphology and Forensic Medicine. It is forbidden to hold a mobile phone or a pen while viewing the examination test.

6. Academic legality and integrity

a. It is not allowed to use textbooks, manuals, mobile phones or any other electronic devices equipped with camera during any classes or especially during colloquia and final exam. Breaking this rule results in failing the colloquium and/or final exam without the possibility of improving the score and report to University's Disciplinary Committee.

b. It is unacceptable to communicate with other Students during the colloquia and the final exam. Breaking this rule results in failing the final exam without the possibility of the retake which results in failing the semester. The person conducting the final exam or colloquium decides about the above situation and notes it on Student's examination form. The above decision is irrevocable.

7. Issues not regulated in the presented regulations and policy of Pathology classes in Pathomorphology Department remain at the discretion of the Head of the Department.

8. Rules and Regulations of Pathology classes comply with the Rules and Regulations of the Studies of University of Warmia and Mazury and procedures applicable at the School of Medicine.

9. Student is required to read the Health & Safety Rules of Pathomorphology Department and EU GDPR directive.

10. Detailed description of Health & Safety Rules in force at the place of all of the classes.

a. In the autopsy room Student must be aware that that he is dealing with human corpses that should be given due seriousness and respect.

b. Access to the autopsy room have only these Students of University of Warmia and Mazury School of Medicine who have an identifier, medical attire and protective footwear.

c. It is strictly forbidden to introduce any bystander to the autopsy room or classroom.

d. It is not allowed to stay in the classroom or in the autopsy room outside of class hours and without the supervision of the Pathomorphology Department’s member.

e. It is strictly forbidden to make any photos or videos using electronic devices during the autopsy.

f. It is not allowed to leave the autopsy room without informing the assistant teacher.

g. It is not allowed to have any food products, drinks or chewing gum in the autopsy room or the classrooms.

h. Student is obliged to take care about personal computers, microscopes and any other devices which are located in the Pathomorphology Department.

i. For safety reasons please always make sure that the outside doors of the Pathomorphology Department are closed.

j. All rooms are subject to strict compliance with cleanliness and Health & Safety Rules.

k. It is strictly forbidden to smoke cigarettes, e-cigarettes or drink an alcohol in the Pathomorphology Department.

l. During all of the classes it is not allowed to wear any headgear other than that of religious worship.

11. The Regulations enter into force on 01.10.2023.

In exceptional situations of restrictions on social contacts, e.g. related to the pandemic, it is permissible to conduct online classes using educational platforms, e.g. Microsoft Teams.