University of Dundee School of Medicine

The University of Dundee School of Medicine is the division concerned with medical education and clinical research at the University of Dundee in Scotland. In 1967, Dundee's medical school became independent in its own right having started in 1889 as a joint venture between the University of St Andrews and University College, Dundee. In 1974 the medical school moved to a large teaching facility based at Ninewells Hospital in the west of Dundee. The School of Medicine now encompasses undergraduate, postgraduate, specialist teaching centres and four research divisions.

History

The Universities Scotland Act 1889 paved the way for an affiliation between St Andrews and University College, Dundee. During the 1894-95 session, there were nine Professors engaged in teaching fifty matriculated students.^[1] Formal Union between St Andrews University and College of Dundee was achieved in 1897.^[2][3] Buildings for the Dundee Medical School were officially opened in 1904, with the intention of accommodating 100–150 students.^[3]

By 1949, the Dundee Royal Infirmary and the Maryfield Hospital were both being used for teaching medical students, but it was already apparent that to expand capacity it would be more economical to build a new facility away from the centre of the city.^[4] By 1961, plans were being exhibited for a new building that would allow the medical school to increase to a capacity of 500 students.^[5]

In 1967, a University Charter was awarded to Queens College, formerly University College, and it became the University of Dundee Medical School, now separate from St Andrews.^[6][7]

Opened in 1974 by the Queen Mother, the Ninewells Hospital & Medical School took over from the Dundee Royal Infirmary as the principal site of medical teaching for the University and eventually led to the closure of the Royal Infirmary in 1998.^[6]

In August 2015 the University had a reorganisation into a new academic school structure with nine schools.^[8][9] The medical school had previously been part of the "College of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing". As well as undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses, the School of Medicine also incorporates skills centres and research units. As of 2015, there are 1,009 undergraduates and 2,645 postgraduate students enrolled at the School of Medicine.^[10]

Old Medical School, Dundee

Recent developments

Together with Ninewells Hospital, Perth Royal Infirmary to the west and Stracathro Hospital to the north provide clinical experience and teaching facilities for the University's medical students.^[6]

A modern clinical simulation area was opened in November 2011.^[11][12][13]

In 2011, plans for a glass-fronted extension to the medical school buildings at Ninewells were announced.^[14] By 2012, work on the first phase was underway on the site at Ninewells, with the development expected to cost around £11 million.^[11][15] An £8 million upgrade of the Gannochy Trust Lecture Theatre won a commendation from the Dundee Civic Trust.^[16]

In April 2015, a reduction of fifteen academic staff posts was announced.^[17]

Ninewells Hospital & Medical School

Research

The School of Medicine contains four research divisions with research themes influenced by the University's partnership with NHS Tayside:^[18]

• Division of Cancer Research
• Division of Molecular & Clinical Medicine
• Division of Neuroscience
• Division of Population Health Sciences

The Academic Health Science Partnership in Tayside was established jointly by the University of Dundee, the Scottish Government and NHS Tayside with the goal of strengthening the links between academia and the health service.^[19] Research at the School of Medicine is the main factor behind the AHSP's drive to improve clinical care and spread health education locally, nationally and internationally.

Reputation

In 2011, the University of Dundee was ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds as the 58th in the world for their medical degree programme.^[20] The medical school has one of the largest research complexes in the UK.^[20]

The Guardian ranked Dundee 1st in Scotland for studying medicine in its 2015, 2016, and 2017 university guides^[21][22][23] and has placed Dundee in the Top 5 medical schools in the UK consistently since 2012.^[24]

In 2015, the medical school's Technology and Innovation in Learning team won the Innovation Technology Excellence Award at The Herald's higher education awards.^[25]

References

External links

• Official website

University of Dundee
Governance	Chancellor: The Lord Patel Rector: Mark Beaumont Principal: Sir Peter Downes General Council University Court Senatus Academicus Students' Representative Council
History	Medical Schools Mills Observatory Telecommunications Research Establishment University of St Andrews
Academic	Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression Division of Signal Transduction Therapy Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design Medical School School of Law
Facilities	Botanic Garden D'Arcy Thompson Zoology Museum Dundee Royal Infirmary (formerly) Ninewells Hospital Maryfield Hospital (formerly) Perth Royal Infirmary
Student life	Students' Association Shinty Club Tayforth UOTC East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron Undergraduate Gown
People	Mary Ann Baxter (Co-founder) Academics Alumni Chancellors Rectors
Related topics	Caird Hall Canongate Books Cyclacel Dictionary of the Scots Language Dundee Cell Products Dundee University Press (until 2013) Dundee International Book Prize
Category  Commons

Coordinates: 56°27′49″N 3°02′28″W / 56.463630°N 3.041156°W / 56.463630; -3.041156