FAQs about Student Evaluation of Courses

FAQs about Student Evaluation of Courses | FAQs about Evaluation of MS1 and MS2 Courses | FAQs about Evaluation of Clerkships | FAQs about Evaluation of Selectives

What is the student course evaluation system?

Since 1986, the SOM has evaluated each of the required courses/clerkships/selectives regarding important aspects of course design and effectiveness (e.g., organization, clarity of learning objectives, quality of instruction). The system provides a screening of all required courses to ensure that opportunities for improvement are identified and that successful endeavors are recognized. All surveys for required courses are administered electronically. This has resulted in more efficient analyses and reporting. To promote continuous improvement within and across courses, quantitative and qualitative data are provided to all course directors and senior administrators responsible for managing and guiding the curriculum

Why do students evaluate courses?

As consumers of the curriculum, students' perspectives on the organization and effectiveness of courses are important. The SOM Curriculum Evaluation System elicits this information upon completion of each required course; this feedback allows the SOM and course directors to ascertain whether the course was successfully administered and whether there are aspects of a course that need improvement

How are courses evaluated?

Student surveys provide the primary data used to evaluate individual courses. If there is a major concern in a specific course, another means may be employed to identify potential methods for improvement.

However, the SOM considers additional indicators such as student performance on in-house exams, USMLE performance, match results, CPX performance, AAMC graduation questionnaire, and other data to evaluate the larger curriculum. An annual Curriculum Profile Report is released by the Office of Educational Development provides a comprehensive look at all of these sources and is available online (available to UNC SOM only).

What courses are evaluated?

All first year and second year courses are evaluated, as are clerkships and selectives.

How are student course evaluations administered?

Beginning in the spring of 1999, electronic administration of surveys was implemented for the first and second-year. Surveys for all required courses across the four-year curriculum are now being administered electronically. Through the use of a commercially available product the OED sends students a custom link to the online survey. Respondents complete the form to submit their feedback. Responses are collected and stored in a database format for subsequent analysis and reporting.

Who receives the results of the course evaluations?

Completed reports provide aggregated quantitative data and open-ended comments for individual courses. The Office of Educational Development and the Executive Associate Dean for Medical Education send these reports to the respective course/clerkship/selective director(s), departmental chair(s) and relevant committee members.

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