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Information For Current Students
General Information
For additional information, please consult the Centerscope.
Book Expenses
Outside of certain college expenses, where cost is "fixed," the most expensive single item that students face is the purchase of books - required or recommended. Here are guidelines which you may wish to follow as you purchase textbooks:
- Do not buy any text until the instructor has been consulted or has held a class. The bookstore usually has enough of the required textbooks.
- Consider buying used textbooks from bulletin board notices or the MSEC book sale at the beginning of each semester.
- Consult upperclassmen for advice on textbooks and about the possibility of borrowing/buying their books.
Class Attendance
The instructional program has been developed by the faculty to provide students with
the background in biomedical sciences necessary for the study of clinical medicine.
Students are expected to attend the various curricular experiences designed and provided
for them as an expression of their professional commitment and dedication. Some curricular
experiences, because of their special nature (e.g. laboratories, small group conferences,
and related activities), may be designated by faculty as required experiences. Attendance
is required unless a student is specifically excused by the course director. Students
will be informed of these requirements at the beginning of a course.
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Dress and Identification
All students in their preclinical and clinical years of study are expected to dress as professional students. Recognizing the need to identify members of the professional medical team and to distinguish them from other hospital personnel or patients, they must wear clinic coats of a type described below while in patient contact situations:
- Attending staff wear coats of their choice.
- Interns and resident staff are expected to wear coat length, long sleeve clinic coats, generally white; however, color variations may be uniformly adopted by any department.
- Medical students wear white long sleeve jacket length coats and display their ID card at all times.
Students interested in access to various buildings after business hours may be required
to present identification cards for access and to display them while on the premises
(Refer to ID cards in this section).
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The College of Medicine supports the view that a successful medical school experience requires a full-time commitment on the part of most students. Medical students' primary responsibility must be to scholarship and to their academic pursuits. The College of Medicine recognizes that financing the cost of medical training may require, under very compelling circumstances, that some medical students seek employment during the academic year.
Any student considering employment is encouraged to contact voluntarily the College of Medicine through its Office of Student Affairs to seek counseling on:
- alternative employment options, especially those which promote further professional growth and development,
- the impact that employment would have on his/her academic performance, and
- the availability of other sources of income.
Under no circumstances should the nature of the students' work experience misrepresent
the level of his/her professional skill or knowledge, or require a level of time commitment
which could adversely affect academic performance. It should be clearly understood
that the minimal standards for progress and promotion must be met by all students
regardless of employment.
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Off Campus - Knoxville and Chattanooga
Many junior and senior students choose to take rotations on the Knoxville or Chattanooga campuses. The following persons can provide assistance relative to these campuses:
- Missy Maples , 1924 Alcoa Highway. Knoxville, TN 37920, (865) 305-9618, Fax (865) 305-6819, firstname.lastname@example.com
- Jacqueline Hogan, 960 East Third Street, Suite 104, Chattanooga, TN 37403
(423) 778-7442, firstname.lastname@example.com; email@example.com
Housing On Campus - Memphis
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center no longer offers on-campus student housing. Information about off campus housing can be found at: uthscoffcampus.com
Housing in Fraternities
Phi Chi, 687 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38105
The Phi Chi Fraternity House houses 28 persons and is two blocks from the Wassell
Randolph Student-Alumni Center. The house is completely furnished with central heat
and air, washer, dryer, color TV, table tennis, and a kitchen where students may prepare
meals and snacks. Nonmembers are welcomed. For additional information visit www.uthsc.edu/phichi.
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Leave of Absence
Leaves of absence are granted to students by the Dean of the College of Medicine when
personal or health-related reasons so warrant. Any student desiring a leave, or who
is considering a leave, should contact the Office of Medical Education.
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Emergency loans are available to medical students through the Office of Financial Aid. Students may borrow up to $600.00. EM loans must be repaid within 60 days after receipt with payment or a late fee of $30.00 will be charged. All previous EM loans must be repaid before another can be issued. Loans are based on need and availability of funds. For additional information you can visit: www.uthsc.edu/finance/bursar/loan_information.php.
Students experiencing financial difficulty are also encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid Services,910 Madison Avenue #520, 901-448-5568
Students experiencing financial difficulty are also encouraged to contact the Office
of Financial Aid Services,910 Madison Avenue #520, 901-448-5568
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ID Cards
Medical student name badges are to be worn at all times. ID cards will be provided during orientation. Lost ID cards must be reported to the Campus Police ID office (740 Court Avenue, 448-6705) so that the appropriate notices can be posted and cards deprogrammed from the card reader system. Oral reports of lost IDs will be followed up with a written report within five (5) duty days of the loss outlining circumstances of loss and recovery efforts. Lost IDs will be replaced at a cost by Campus Police.
A number of publications of particular interest to medical students are generated periodically. A partial list includes the following:
The Record
Published by the Office of University Relations. It is a bi-monthly newspaper for faculty, staff, and students. Distributed throughout campus and selectively to alumni, friends of the University and others.
Student Life Line
A monthly publication from the Office of Student Life. Source for announcements of non-academic events and a listing of discounts to plays, symphony and opera. At Information Desk, SAC.
Electives Catalog
This is a description of electives for senior students. It is published by the Office Medical Education. It also includes academic regulations and policies regarding the last year of study. The electives catalog is available online on OLSEN under Clerkship Information M4.
MSEC Minutes
Minutes of the weekly meetings of the MSEC are posted on class bulletin boards and
the lobby of the Cecil C. Humphreys General Education Building, the lobby of the Student
Alumni Center, and a permanent record is kept on file in the Office of Student Affairs
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Student Records
A student's official or permanent record pertains to academic progress, promotion and graduation, and is maintained in the Office of the Registrar. When appropriate, disciplinary action is noted on the official transcript in accord with the policy recommended by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the American Personnel Association, National Association of Women Deans and Counselors, and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. These agencies recommend:
"That the official education record (permanent records) should contain all entries of disciplinary actions which suspend or dismiss the student or restrict, limit, or condition the student's eligibility to return or reregister in the college. In such cases, the educational record should indicate clearly action taken as disciplinary in contrast with academic dismissal or suspension. The records do not indicate the nature of the behavior which occasioned disciplinary action. Except in the case of error or injustice, no entry on the official records should be physically removed."
Academic, health, and disciplinary records are kept separately. Confidential records of all misconduct reports, investigations, and disciplinary actions are kept in the UT Memphis Student Affairs Office. Medical records are maintained by the University Health Service, and financial aid records are maintained in The Office of Financial Aid. The Office of Student Affairs for the College of Medicine maintains a working file on each student which contains academic and personal information.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is in compliance with all provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which provides enrolled students and former students the right to review the contents of certain student records which are maintained by the University. Students have the right of access to their permanent record maintained in the Registrar's Office, and to review the working file maintained in the College of Medicine Office of Student Affairs. Students do not have the right to access financial records of parents, or the personal memory notes of a University official or faculty member.
Transcripts of academic records are available to the individual student or his legal
representative and to authorized members of the administration and faculty. Academic
and health records are not available to others except by request.
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Student Services Programs
Aid to Impaired Medical Students (AIMS)
The Aid to the Impaired Medical Student (AIMS) Program, unique among American medical school campuses when it was established in Memphis in 1982, attempts to provide compassionate assistance to impaired students before they are irreversibly harmed. The AIMS Program is concerned with problems of impairment due to substance abuse (drugs and alcohol). Governed by a council of students and professional members, the AIMS program seeks to identify, intervene, evaluate, treat and monitor those students who unsuccessfully adapt to the stresses in their lives. The program is completely confidential and protects the rights of the those students receiving treatment. Further, the program assures that recovered students are able to continue their medical education without stigma or penalty. At the same time, it protects patients and others from the harm an impaired student might cause.
Peer Mentor Program
Peer Mentors are trained sophomore student volunteers who offer a support system to freshman students. The program teaches prospective physicians that it is acceptable to need help, to turn to one another for help, and to know how to offer support. In addition, the program fosters positive development and a shared, cooperative approach to education. A national model, this unique program has been well received and utilized by the UT medical students.
Big Brother/Sister Program
Each entering student is assigned a "Big Sib". The Big Brother or Big Sister offers invaluable insight into the "ropes" of the first year: which books are best, the first test, best grocery store, where to get a hair cut, where to relax and have fun, how to sign up for intramurals, et cetera. Often close and lasting relationships develop through this program.
Faculty Mentor Program
The Faculty Mentor System facilitates interaction among faculty and students. Each
entering student becomes a member of a faculty mentor group composed of students,
one faculty mentor, and two or more peer mentors. The faculty share their perspectives
on medical education and the profession, and serve as resource persons for specific
questions or problems. The sophomore peer mentors coordinate the activities of the
group, but students may contact their faculty member directly to discuss issues related
to personal, academic or career counseling.
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Career Counseling and Residency Placement
Choosing the specialty most congruent with your interests, talents and long-term personal and professional goals is a major life decision. Programs and activities are available to support students as they contemplate this decision and choose their specialties and residencies.
The career counseling and residency placement program begins in the second year of medical education and continues through the NRMP Match
in the fourth year.
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Tutoring Services
Services are available for freshman students. Tutors are assigned based on availability and an assessment of students' need. There is no charge for this service.
For further information, contact Student Academic Support Services and Inclusion, 448-5056.
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Contact Us
Office of Medical Education
910 Madison Avenue, Ste 1031
Memphis, Tennessee 38163
Phone: (901) 448-5506
Fax: (901) 448-1488
Interim Associate Dean, Medical Education:
Michael Whitt, PhD
Scott E. Strome, MD
Robert Kaplan Executive Dean,
Vice Chancellor for Clinical Affairs
910 Madison Ave, Ste 1002
Memphis, TN 38163