Abstract
Objectives: This study aims to present the characteristics of the undergraduate dental curriculum system using network modelling and visualisation analysis based on complex network theory, thus providing a theoretical foundation for the course development and curriculum reform. Methods: The correlation coefficient was used to quantify the intensity of the correlation between courses, and a visualisation complex network of the dental curriculum was built to explore the curriculum pattern from a dynamic perspective. Further, the statistical measurements of curriculum network were adopted to express the most relevant topological features. Subsequently, the minimum spanning tree and parallel coordinates plot were drawn to explore the curriculum community structure, quantify the key courses, and present different courses in time and space relationships. Results: The correlation analysis results show that the courses are closely related to each other. The main courses focus on pathology, pathophysiology, oral anatomy and physiology, closely connecting almost all medicine-related courses. The whole course network has an average degree value of 41.53, and a clustering coefficient of 0.78, indicating an obvious small-world characteristic. From the perspective of curriculum attributes, the number of public and theoretical courses was more than that of skills and practical courses. Moreover, the academic performance of skills and practical courses was lower than that of public and theoretical courses. Conclusion: The undergraduate dental courses have a progressive structure from basic professional knowledge to professional skills, which is reasonable for the dental education in China. However, some efforts towards curriculum reform based on this study are needed.
Highlights
In 1907, Canadian missionary Dr Lindsay established the Ren Ji Dental Clinic, which introduced modern dentistry in China and laid the foundation of dental education in the nation
This study aims to present the characteristics of the undergraduate dental curriculum system using network modelling and visualisation analysis based on complex network theory, providing a theoretical foundation for the course development and curriculum reform
The undergraduate dental courses have a progressive structure from basic professional knowledge to professional skills, which is reasonable for the dental education in China
Summary
In 1907, Canadian missionary Dr Lindsay established the Ren Ji Dental Clinic, which introduced modern dentistry in China and laid the foundation of dental education in the nation. After more than 100 years of practice and development, China has formed a distinctive dental education model [1]. The goal of undergraduate dental education is to produce safe, competent, and ethical practitioners equipped with the necessary knowledge, communication skills, professionalism, and behaviour appropriate for the independent practice of dentistry. Based on the curriculum requirements of China’s dental undergraduate education standards, the teaching system can be divided into three stages—basic medicine, clinical medicine, and stomatology matched with corresponding courses [2]. The huge and complex dental curriculum system contains extensive information revealing the links between courses and the rules development [3]. By excavating the educational data about curriculum, the internal connections and underlying laws can be uncovered, which provides some decision-making information for course creation and inspire curriculum optimisation
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