Student Handbook

STUDENT HANDBOOK 2020-2021 Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 675 Hoes Lane West Piscataway, NJ 08854 rwjms.rutgers.edu This handbook is informational only and does not constitute a contract between Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, part of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and any student. It may be changed by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School without prior notice to students. Any rules, regulations, policies, procedures, or other representations made herein may be interpreted and applied by Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to promote fairness and academic excellence, based on the circumstances of each individual situation. This handbook represents a program of the current curricula, educational plans, offerings, and requirements of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. The school reserves the right to change any provisions, offerings, tuition, fees, or requirements at any time within the student’s period of study at the medical school. Please Note: To find the most pertinent information please consult http://www.rwjms.rutgers.edu/education and follow the respective links. Thank you for your cooperation. 1 Table of Contents ACADEMICS 4 Academic Programs: Curriculum 5 Independent Project 7 Cognitive Skills Program (a.k.a. “CogSkills”) 8 Externship/Non-Credit Clinical Experience Form 9 Academic Calendar 11 Course and Clerkship Directors 13 Academic Programs: Special Programs 17 Academic Programs: Dual Degree Programs 24 Career Development & Advising Programs 30 Humanism 33 Student Awards 34 ELECTIVES AND ORGANIZATIONS 36 Non Credit Electives 37 Student Organizations and Interest Groups 44 Student Organization Information Guide 61 STUDENT LIFE 63 Student-To-Student Advice 64 Surviving and Thriving as an M1: One Student’s Advice 64 General Advice for First Years 70 Topic Related Advice for First Years 72 General Advice for Second Years 77 Things to Do in Piscataway, New Brunswick, and Beyond 79 Transportation 82 Fitness Facilities (Rutgers) 85 Fitness Facilities (Unaffiliated) 87 ADMINISTRATION 88 Administration Contacts 89 Department Chairs, Institute Directors, and Faculty 94 Administration Offices 95 FACILITIES 108 2 General Facilities and Supplies 109 Education, Research, and Clinical Facilities 116 Hospitals 124 Libraries 129 STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS 132 Student Wellness Program 133 Student Health Services 134 Student Health Insurance 137 Travel Insurance 139 Long-Term Disability Insurance 140 If you are the victim of sexual violence... 142 ACADEMIC RULES AND REGULATIONS 144 Academic Integrity Policy 164 UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL POLICIES 173 Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Policies 175 Rutgers University Policies 218 3 ACADEMICS 4 Academic Programs: Curriculum The Curriculum Basic and clinical medical knowledge is increasingly complex and changing at increasing rates. The curriculum at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School seeks to broaden the concept of competence, with a re-emphasis on the attitudes that are inherent in the profession of medicine, while maintaining the traditionally emphasized development of skills and knowledge. We seek to cultivate physicians who value the scientific method; are enthusiastic about learning; are committed to self-directed, lifelong learning; are compassionate toward and respectful of patients and their families; demonstrate personal honesty and integrity; embody professional identity and responsibility; collaborate enthusiastically as members of teams; value and respect differences; and are dedicated to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and disability. In short, we seek to train physicians who are committed to evidence-based, ethical, sound, and contextually relevant decision-making. Note: A complete description of the curriculum and information about blocks of study (M1 and M2) and required clerkships (M3 and M4) can be found on the Education page of the school website under “Curriculum.” (https://rwjms.rutgers.edu/education/medical_education/overview) First Year Second Year Traditional scientific disciplines will be Traditional scientific disciplines will be presented in presented in the context of: the context of: • Normal organ system structure and • Pathology and pathophysiology of organ function systems • Various homeostatic mechanisms • Focus on prevention, diagnostics, and pharmacotherapeutics for pathologies that are discussed • Neuroscience, Brain, and Behavior, a comprehensive, integrated course that 5 examines the science of the normal central nervous system and its disease manifestations Grading: Pass (>70%) or Fail Grading: Pass (>70%) or Fail Patient-Centered Medicine (PCM): A longitudinal integrative, clinically relevant course entitled Patient-Centered Medicine, anchors the first and second year by providing relevant clinical experiences and focus that allow students to develop and hone their patient communication and examination skills. Third Year Fourth Year • One-week Introduction to the Clerkship • Four-week rotations in Emergency Medicine Experience and Critical Care • Six 6-week clerkships in psychiatry, • Four-week sub internship pediatrics, obstetrics & gynecology, medicine, surgery and family medicine • Three-week selective in Ambulatory Medicine • Time for a 4-week clerkship in neurology and 8 weeks of electives • Two-week Boot Camp • One-week Transition to Fourth Year • Twenty-one-week minimum of electives Grading: Honors, High Pass, Pass, Grading: Honors, High Pass, Pass, Conditional Pass, and Fail Conditional Pass, and Fail 6 Independent Project The purpose of the independent project is for Robert Wood Johnson Medical School students to produce a scholarly product that is a contribution to one of the medical school's missions: Education, Research, Clinical Care, or Community Health. Faculty will be giving feedback years 2-4 of the project. The Independent Project requirement gives students the opportunity to form a question, research that question, assess the credibility of resources, integrate information, and report on the research and findings The essential component is the creation of an end-product that reflects an appropriate degree of effort (i.e., a minimum of 160 hours of effort). The final product must be a manuscript prepared for submission to a current journal. Each student must follow the steps below to help track their progress: 1. M1s: All students must submit a Preliminary Idea for their Independent Project no later than May 1st of their first year's studies. 2. M2s: All students must submit a Specific Plan no later than December 31st of their second year indicating either completion of their project or a specific plan. Any student who does not comply with this requirement may not register for any third-year rotations without the approval of a Dean for Student Affairs or the Senior Associate Dean for Education. 3. M3s: All students must submit a Progress Report no later than December 31st of their third year. Students who have not made substantial progress on their project by this time should plan to devote time for independent project completion in their 4th year schedules. 4. M4s: All students must submit the completed final Submission online by May 1st of their graduation year. As long as the project has received final approval from the student’s mentor, the student will be considered to have met the Independent Project requirements for graduation. Any student without final approval by the deadline will not graduate until all the requirements have been fulfilled. Students who complete a dual degree or distinction program may use that program to satisfy the Independent Project requirement; however, students who use such programs to satisfy the requirement are still expected to make online submissions at each stage. Advice • The summer between first and second year is a good time to fulfill the Independent Project requirements. • Do a project in something that interests you! If you are interested in community health, complete a research project that impacts the New Brunswick community. If you are interested in global health, you can use this independent project as a reason to travel abroad. • M4 words of wisdom, "Finish your Independent Project as soon as possible!" 7 Cognitive Skills Program (a.k.a. “CogSkills”) Robert Lebeau, EdD Director, Cognitive Skills Phone: (732) 235-4129 Program [email protected] Location: R-109 Faculty Members: Kristen Coppola, PhD Where is R-109? [email protected] • First floor of the Hanin Rashid, PhD Research Tower [email protected] • If you enter the building from the main doors, Secretary: Sharri Levine-Drago instead of turning right [email protected] for the Great Hall make a left, then pass through both sets of double doors. Cog Skills is on the right. The Cognitive Skills Program (CSP) faculty provide individual counseling and group seminars regarding study strategies for learning in medical school, test-taking, and time management. Services are available to students in all four years of medical school. What does Cognitive Skills have to offer? • Want to get off to a good start for efficient and effective studying in your courses? Cog Skills can help to instill strong lifelong learning strategies. • Having trouble meeting your study goals? Cog Skills can help with time management. • Struggling to transition from college exams to medical school exams? Cog Skills has useful tips to help with this transition. • Want to review an exam more thoroughly? Cog Skills will walk you through question by question

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