The School of Medical Sciences, established in 1926, grew out of the small Department of Bacteriology founded in 1919 under the aegis of the College of Arts and Science. Between 1926 and 1956, students at the University of Saskatchewan were able to take two years of basic pre-medical classes prior to enrolling at a major medical school in Canada for the final two of instruction. The School became a College in 1952. The name changed to College of Medicine the following year. With the opening of [Royal] University Hospital in 1955, and its acceptance as a teaching and research centre for the College, beginning in 1956 students were able to take their entire medical course in Saskatchewan. The following year the College received accreditation from both the Canadian and American Associations of Medical Colleges. The following individuals have served as Dean: W.S. Lindsay (1926-1951); W. McLeod (1951-1962); R.W. Begg (1962-1967); D.F. Moore (1967-1970); J.R. Gutelius (1971-1973); R.G. Murray (1973-1984); I.M. McDonald (1984-1993); D.R. Popkin (1993- ).