Regulations of the Department of Histology and Embryology for the Academic Year 2026/2027

Subject: Histology, Embryology, and Cytophysiology
FACULTY OF MEDICINE – ENGLISH DIVISION

General Provisions

1. The academic regulations of the Department of Histology and Embryology comply with the Study Regulations of the Medical University of Bialystok.
2. Student attendance is mandatory for all forms of classes, both in-person and online. The Study Regulations do not permit unexcused absences. Absences can only be excused based on official certificates (physician, Dean, or relevant authorities).
3. A student who missed a class is obliged to excuse the absence during the first practical class they attend after the period of absence. The method for making up the missed class is determined by the assistant professor (tutor) leading the group.
4. Students are required to attend classes within the specific groups to which they have been assigned. During in-person classes, students must not leave the classroom without the tutor’s permission.
5. Students are required to arrive on time and be theoretically prepared in accordance with the schedule posted on the noticeboard and the Department’s website at least 7 days before the class date. Students who are late by more than 15 minutes will not be admitted to the class, resulting in an unexcused absence.
6. The leading tutor verifies the students' theoretical preparation for the class (oral answers, quizzes). Failing an oral answer or a quiz results in the loss of one point from the total number of points obtained on the next partial test. A student passes a practical class if they correctly draw and describe the microscopic specimens and pass the theoretical part.

Form and Conditions for Passing the Partial Tests

1. Each partial test consists of a written theoretical part (open-ended questions), for which a student can obtain a maximum of 30 points, and a practical part, where a student can obtain a maximum of 4 points (2 points for each correctly identified microscopic specimen). The maximum total score for each partial test is 34 points.
2. In the event of an excused absence from a partial test, the student shall take the test on that part of the material during the last week of the academic semester. The excuse note must be submitted to the tutor no later than the first day after the leave ends. Single-day medical certificates will not be honored.
3. An unexcused absence from a partial test result in 0 points for that test, with no possibility of retaking it at the end of the semester.
4. Students are informed of their partial test results orally, directly by the teacher, during classes no later than fourteen days from the date of the test. Students have the right to view their test paper in the presence of the tutor.
5. If a student is found to possess or use any unauthorized form of assistance, the partial test for that student will be terminated immediately, which is equivalent to receiving 0 points with no option for a retake. Detailed provisions regarding unauthorized assistance are outlined in the Study Regulations and the Rector's Regulation.
6. A student has the right to retake only one failed/missed partial test per semester.

Form and Conditions for Passing the Course

1. The course is settled after two semesters by a final exam, which consists of both a practical and a theoretical part. To pass the exam, a minimum grade of "satisfactory" is required for each part of the exam.
2. The prerequisite for admission to the final exam is obtaining a minimum of 55% of the total points from all partial tests. A student who scores less than 55% but at least 30% will be referred to an additional qualifying test covering the entire course material (lectures, seminars, practical classes). A student will not be admitted to the exam session in the following cases:
   • Having unexcused absences.
   • Obtaining less than 30% of the total points from the partial tests during the year.
   • Failing the additional qualifying test.
3. If a student is not admitted to the exam session, it is equivalent to the loss of the right to take the exam. This results in failing the course with no possibility of a retake.
4. The practical exam covers the entire material of the practical classes. It consists of identifying organs/tissues and the structures contained within them in microscopic specimens. A student passes the practical exam if they correctly identify 70% of the specimens.
5. The theoretical exam (open-ended questions, passing threshold: 60%) covers the material from histology, embryology, and cytophysiology.
6. Failure to appear for the exam/retake exam on the scheduled date without a valid excuse result in an insufficient grade (fail). The excuse for the absence must be submitted to the Department's office no later than the day of the exam, or in exceptional cases, within 5 working days after the exam date. Single-day medical certificates will not be honored. Exam dates (regular term and 2 retake terms) are determined by the department in consultation with the student representative. It is permissible to set one additional date for all individuals who excused their absence from any of the previous terms. This term will take place in September (no later than September 15, allowing time for a potential commission exam). No other additional exam dates will be set beyond those established under the above rule.

Final Exam Grading

1. An insufficient grade (fail) in the practical part is equivalent to an insufficient grade (fail) for the entire final exam.
2. A student who obtains a minimum of 60% of the points in the theoretical part will receive additional bonus points (from 1 to 6) based on their practical exam score according to the following criteria:
   • 1 point for scoring 70% on the practical part
   • 2 points for scoring 80% on the practical part
   • 4 points for scoring 90% on the practical part
   • 6 points for scoring 100% on the practical part
3. The exam is graded according to the following scale:
   • 60% – satisfactory
   • 80% – good
   • 95% and above – very good
4. The student is entitled to two retake exams for the entire exam (not for each part separately). Each exam is conducted in the same format as the first exam.
5. Any unexpected personal circumstances that may affect the course of the exam must be reported before commencing the exam.
6. The provisions of paragraph 11 of these regulations apply accordingly during the final exam.
7. Students are informed of the final exam results via grade entries into the course protocol in the Virtual Dean's Office no later than fourteen days from the date of the exam.
8. The student has the right to review their exam papers within a period determined by the Head of the Department.

Final Provisions

1. Students are obliged to comply with the Regulations for Safe Behavior in the Department of Histology and Embryology at UMB. Students must immediately notify the tutor of all accidents occurring on the premises of the Department.
2. The student bears financial liability for any damage caused through their own fault while working with computers during classes.
3. These regulations may change depending on the epidemiological situation, of which students will be informed on an ongoing basis via the website of the UMB Department of Histology and Embryology.
4. It is strictly forbidden to copy the content of the partial tests and the exam. During classes, the use of mobile phones is prohibited, except for their use for educational purposes (e-textbooks and e-atlases) after obtaining the prior consent of the leading tutor.
5. In matters not regulated by these Regulations, the provisions of the Regulations of First Degree, Second Degree, and Uniform Master's Studies at UMB shall apply.