Academic Information
- Information & Policies
- Academic Evaluation
- Absences
- Clinical Case Presentations
Information and Policies
Registration must be completed by mail before classes start each semester.
Students may not register unless all documents required for matriculation
have been received by St. Martinus University, see the application checklist.
New students enrolled in the Basic Science Segment must confirm their
registration in person before classes begin.
Unregistered students will not be admitted to classes. Continuing
students must register in person at the beginning of each semester on
campus. Students in the Clinical Science Segment register through the
Office of the Dean of Clinical Medicine.
All academic matters, including grades, grading policies, and probationary standing while students are enrolled in the Basic Science Segment are within the purview of the Faculty of Medicine's Promotions Committee. This committee submits its recommendations to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. The Dean will consult with the committee and render a final decision.
St. Martinus University, expects its students to adhere to the highest
standards of ethical and professional behavior in every aspect of their
lives, as they are expected to do as medical professionals. Medical
students must demonstrate professional behavior that would be expected
of a physician.
Students must conduct all aspects of their lives with honesty, integrity,
and respect for others. Cheating, whether on examinations or with laboratory
data, is unacceptable. Stealing and plagiarism whether from the school
or from fellow students are not tolerated. Both cheating and stealing
can lead to expulsion from the University.
All students and faculty members have the right to present grievances to the Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee is the investigative and judicial arm of the Office of the Chancellor of the University, and its authority is derived from that office. The Grievance Committee has authority over all matters referred by the Dean, Associate Deans, Student Government Association, or any individual student or faculty member, involving, but not limited to, violations of the professional conduct standards.
Sexual harassment undermines the character and purpose of the University. Sexual harassment is subject to disciplinary action with the University community. Charges of sexual harassment can be filed by following the University's established grievance procedures for students, faculty, and staff.
The Student Government Association of the Faculty of Medicine will implement an Honor Code whose jurisdiction extends to all students. This Code is based on principles of medical ethics and the Hippocratic Oath. The purpose of the Code is to foster habits of honesty and morality, which graduates will then carry with them into their professional lives.
In order to be eligible to receive the degree Doctor of Medicine from
St. Martinus University, a student must have met the following requirements:
1. Successful completion of all courses in the Basic Science Curriculum.
2. Successful completion of all courses and clerkships in the Clinical
Medicine Curriculum. The core and elective clerkships as specified by
the Dean of Clinical Medicine, taken in approved hospitals.
3. Passing Steps I and II of the USMLE.
4. Payment of all fees and charges owed to the University.
Official transcripts are available only from the Registrar. Students may obtain a transcript request form from the Registrar. Transcripts are not released until all financial obligations to the University have been met.
Graduation & award ceremonies will be held twice each year on the island of Curaçao. Diplomas will not be released unless all outstanding balances, administrative documents, clinical evaluations, and scores from Steps I and II of the USMLE, have been received.
Academic Evaluation
Courses in the Basic Science Segment are graded :
A (90-100)
B (80-89)
C (70-79)
or F (less than 70).
All students should strive to maintain a "B" average which is considered
the benchmark for passing the USMLE PART 1. During the Clinical Medicine
Segment students will be evaluated both on their fund of knowledge and
ability to apply it to clinical problems, as well as on those characteristics
considered desirable in a good physician.
These characteristics include problem-solving ability; industry; reliability;
judgment; interpersonal relations with peers, patients, and staff; professional
skills (history taking and patient examination); and motivation. At the
conclusion of each core-clerkship, a final exam is given; it is administered
at the hospital training site. Grades are awarded on the same basis as
the Basic Science scores.
The function of examinations is to monitor the progress of students
and to evaluate the quality of instruction. Examinations are an essential
part of the learning process at St. Martinus University. Computerized
examinations will be administered monthly.
These computerized examinations will simulate the USMLE parts 1&2.
All final examinations will be comprehensive exams on the subject. It
is the university's goal that through these examination procedures, the
student will be better prepared to sit the USMLE. Additional regulations
can be found in the student handbook. As soon as students receive their
USMLE Step I grades, they must forward them to the St. Martinus University,
Brionplein 1, Otrobanda, Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, Dutch Caribbean.
The office of the registrar subsequently clears the student to the Clinical
Department which allows the students to begin the placement process.
For more general information on the USMLE and other helpful topics www.ecfmg.org.
Monitoring of student progress
At appropriate points in the educational process, the faculty reviews
the progress of each student in order to identify any academic difficulties
that may exist or are developing. To be in good standing, students in
the Basic Science and Clinical Medicine Segments must comply with all
academic rules and regulations, and remain current in financial obligations.
Students are required to pass the USMLE Part I before progressing to
clinical enrollment. Successful completion of USLME Part II examinations
is mandatory in order to be eligible to receive the M.D. degree from
St. Martinus University.
Class attendance is mandatory at St. Martinus University. Students must attend all didactic lectures. Attendance is also mandatory for all laboratory sessions, case studies/problem-based learning conferences and the "Introduction to Clinical Medicine" course in the Basic Science Segment. Daily attendance is also mandatory in all clinical clerkships.
Students are placed on Academic Probation if they fail to maintain the academic requirements of St. Martinus University. This applies to students who fail any course and are permitted by the Promotions Committee to repeat it. This will also apply to students who fail to maintain a grade point average of 2.0.
Absences
At St. Martinus University
the curriculum is designed to be a series of integrated, consecutively
scheduled learning experiences. Any interruptions of the educational
program are academically undesirable.
Emergency absences are granted only under extraordinary and well-documented circumstances. With the approval of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, a student may be granted a brief emergency absence. Emergency absences are defined as, but not limited to, death of an immediate family member, medical emergency within the immediate family or other such family emergencies.
With the exception of approved emergency absences as outlined above, unauthorized leaves render the student liable for suspension and/or dismissal from the University.
Students who have been withdrawn (either by student or by an administrative decision) must apply for re-admission if they wish to return to the school. Re-admission is subject to all academic policies, tuition and fees in effect at that moment. Students may not withdraw from a particular course during a semester. They must withdraw from the school.
Information to follow soon.
A 6 week vacation is available during the summer break.
A 2 week vacation is available during the Christmas break.
Furthermore there are 10 official holidays during which St. Martinus
University will be closed. Students requiring a longer break between
semesters than those scheduled must request an Academic Leave Of Absence
in writing addressed to the Dean of Clinical Sciences. This will be approved
by the Dean of Clinical sciences.
