Introduction:Internal evaluation plays a fundamental role in quality improvment and development in teaching department. The aim  of this work was an internal evaluation of the Department of Anatomical Sciences in Semnan university of medical sciences. Materials and Methods:This study  was performed in  department of anatomical sciences of SUMS, during May 2000 to April 2001; utilizing an  grading model. The evaluation covered 4 areas, namley; "educational activity", "organizational ranking", "logistic parameters", and "research activity". Educational objectives and teaching achievement were evaluated at the level of first and second years of pre-clinical medical students and also evaluated by members of department. Organizational ranking included the head of department, the members of the organizing body, and the teaching staff of the department. Logistic parameters encompassed the manpower and personal of department; as well as available space and facilities. Research activities  consisted  of the numbers of the theses supervised, numbers of papers published in outstanding journals, amount of research projects and contirbutions made to congress and seminars. Data collection involved the use of some questionnaires and criteria. The final score obtained as the average of all scores and interpreted according to Gourman classification. Results:Educational objectives and activites ranked as "good" with 3.63 and 3.96 pts. (evaluated by students and members, respectively). Organization and logistic parameters of the department ranked as "good" (3.6 pts) and "more than satisfactory" (2.85), respectively. Research activities ranked as "good" with  3.58 pts. Conclusion:Analysis of the results placed the department of anatomical sciences of SUMS in the "more than satisfactory" class of the Gourman classification. This department needs to progress the training function and the compesnsation of the demerits.

Introduction: The internal evaluation which is done by the members of the different departments is the best way to judge about quality of education and to identify its strong and weak areas. With regard to the important role of evaluation in the quality of education, the aim of this study is conducting an internal evaluation of the department of speech therapy in order to optimize the educational quality of the different parts of the department. Material and Methods: This descriptive-cross sectional study was done to evaluate some variables such as educational goals, optimal leading of the department instrumental and physical equipments, clinical educational environment, and student measures about educational style and teaching quality of practical and theoretical courses of scientific members of the department. To collect data, questionnaires and checklists were provided by the faculty members of the department of speech therapy. These instruments were given to the faculty members (to evaluate themselves) and the students (sophomore and senior students of speech therapy to evaluate the theoretical courses and the junior and senior students were asked to evaluate the clinical courses). After collecting each instrument, results were categorized according to Gourman Scoring Scale. Results: According to Gourman scores, means were obtained from internal evaluation of speech therapy as in follow: Professional - theoretical lessons were in more than satisfied ranking, clinical courses were in good ranking, educational and physical equipments (evaluated by scientific members and students) were in unsatisfied ranking and evaluation of head of group and scientific members were in satisfied ranking.  Conclusion: Generally, results showed speech therapy group was in satisfied category. Obviously, to reach an ideal level, we should make some changes, for example, encouraging and strengthening weak areas and maintaining strong areas.

Introduction: Previous studies indicated that self rating or "internal evaluation" is a fundamental determinant to quality development in teaching departments and faculties. The purpose of this study was a group's internal evaluation of Dept. Physiology of Semnan university of medical sciences (SUMS) with regard to quality development of the department. Materials and Methods: This study was performed in the physiology ward of Faculty of Medicine of SUMS utilizing an accreditation model. The assessment covered five areas, namely: "educational objectives", "research activity", "organizational ranking", "teaching achievements" and "logistic parameters". Educational objective and teaching achievement were evaluated at the level of basic clerkship, third grade and third year's medical students. Research activities consisted of number of thesis's supervised, contributions made to seminars and congresses and the number of papers compiled and published in medical periodicals by the teaching staff. Organizational ranking included the head of department, the members of the organizing body, and the teaching staff of the department. Logistic parameters encompassed the manpower and personnel of different sub sectors of the department; as well as the available space and facilities of each. In questionnaires according to Likert score, five ranking scale (excellent, good, medium, weak and very weak) were used, and scores between one to five was considered to them. Organizational ranking included, six members of the organizing body, eighty six medical students in third grade, educational space and equipments and teaching and research processes.Entirely, by using questionnaires, information was obtained and on the basis of Gurman’s classification was analyzed.Results: In this evaluation dept. members and students from the view of educational and processes with score 3.43-3.74 respectively, in more than satisfied ranking. Research goals with score 4.26 in excellent ranking , educational and research equipment with score 3.43 in more than satisfied ranking , the point of view of medical students about Dept. physiology with score 3.63 in good ranking . Conclusion: Analysis of the results placed the SUMS department of physiology in the "good" class of the Gurman’s classification; indicating an overally desirable modus operandi for the department, but in some areas of the department activity were found to be suboptimal, thus, it requires further improvement.

Introduction: Recognizing students' conceptions and feelings towards class culture and revealing class members' relationship are important for planning and making positive changes. This study was done to determine students’ views toward the class culture in Semnan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In this descriptive study, 269 university senior students were investigated. The questionnaire of class culture (Stephen Robins) was used to gather the data. It included demographic information questions and also 8 questions about different aspects of class culture using 5 point Likert scale. Data was analyzed by SPSS software. For data analysis, frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation were used. Chisquare test was applied for determining the relationship between the variables.Results: Most of the students (63.6%) gave a score between 20 to 29 to the current class culture. Fifty one percent of medical students recognized class culture open with the score of 30 and higher. Most associate and bachelor students gave a score of 20-29 (border line) to the current class culture. The students believed that their classmates and teachers were not friendly and supportive. They mentioned that the teachers did not state their expectations clearly and did not foster a challenging learning atmosphere to encourage students for making questions. No significant relationship was observed between class culture, school and level of study.Conclusion: Most MS and medical students believed university class culture was open, warm and supportive. Concerning other majors, a border line culture was identified. More interactions between faculty members and students and using student-centered methods are recommended which can lead to more relationship between faculty members and students as well as between students themselves, and also can establish a friendly open culture in the class.

Introduction: Educational failure entails irreparable damage to the educational system, society, family and students, and resulting in frustration, humiliation, incompetence, negative selfconcept, and sometimes suicide. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency and factors affecting the academic failure in Health Faculty Students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this observational, descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study, 150 students of three health courses; Public, Occupational and Environmental health were selected through systematic random sampling. They filled out validated questionnaires. Based on the average and conditional terms, the students were divided into two categories; with and without academic failure. Data were analyzed by SPSS 22, using Chi-square, independent t-test and ANOVA at a significant level (p <0. 05). Results: The mean age of the students was 22. 72 ± 3. 4, and the academic failure prevalence rate was 12. 7% which was most observed in females (14. 44%) and in public health course (14. 3%). The significant statistical relationship was observed between academic failure and marital status, educational term and level, diploma grade, being apart from parents, course selection, concentration and physical attendance of students in the classroom (p <0. 05). Conclusion: Considering the relatively high prevalence of academic failure and the factors affecting it, it is necessary to take appropriate measures to motivate and increase the accuracy and concentration of students in the classroom, provide facilities and, most importantly, revise the criteria for student recruitment.

Introduction: Group internal evaluation of the medical education has an outstanding position in medicine. Social medicine department as an educational group and with a community –based view, evolving with training the efficient medical students, plays an important role in programming. This research has been performed to determine the output of the educational and non-educational activities and also to assess the level of the favorable factors which are effective on them. It is also important to promote the social medicine department activities.Materials& Methods: This study has been carried out in 2002 by using the accreditation pattern and the categorization of Gorman. The factors that were evaluated including; head of department, academic faculty members, field, devices and equipments. Data were collected via questionnaire, check list and then were analyzed.Totally, more than 600 criterions with the various features were evaluated.Results: The results showed that the head of department got a ranking with 2.54 points which was satisfactory. The instructors got 2.02 points in research and scientific activities, having communication with the scientific centers (2 points in borderline ranking) and also they were in a high ranking in educational history and specialized majors, behavioral pattern administrative duties, attending in university sectors .They were given a good ranking by students due to well – presenting the theoretical courses, in stagery and internship, they obtained a high satisfied score to a top ranking. The most shortage was observed in instruments and quipments in village health centers. The most appropriate situation was with regard to technical and administrative tools available in places where medical students accommodated.Conclusion: Results showed that the faculty members in social medicine department in Semnan university of medical sciences require further research activities with the other scientific centers. However, they were in a favorable situation in many criteria. Furthermore, this department needs more supports in the field of equipments and  mproving the educational activities.

Introduction: An insight into the view of academics of Medical Faculty concerning students’ research could inform planners about strengths and weaknesses as well as potential for improvement in student research. The present study aims to better understanding of perception of academics of Medical Faculty about students’ and academics’ research.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on participants from medical faculty members at Semnan University of Medical Sciences. A questionnaire containing demographic data, questions about view of faculty mentor’s concerning students’ researches and satisfaction on their profession was handed in to faculty members. Forty five out of 65 questionnaires were completed by faculty members and returned to the researchers. Data were analyzed using suitable statistical methods.Results: Findings indicated that most of faculty members relatively satisfied with their profession. There was a significant association between job satisfaction level and tendency to research activities. Around 20% of responders showed high interest and about 66% had an average interest in advising students’ research activities. Faculty members believed students showing little inclination toward research works as well as lacking knowledge on research principles. Low income, extended hours of teaching, engagement in private practice, administrative duties, excessive bureaucracy and insufficient research funding are the most frequent challenges in doing students’ research.Conclusion: It is concluded that most medical faculty members possessed a high inclination toward research activities. Students' needs to receive detailed instructions on research methodology and should be encouraged to consider research as part of their educational programs. Faculty members should be motivated to devote more time and energy towards students’ research activities.