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St Andrews University is insisting that the quality of its medical graduates is not in doubt in the wake of allegations of low standards, student cheating and disruptive behaviour.

A leaked memo from four members of staff to Steve Homans, head of St Andrews's school of biomedical sciences, alleges a complete breakdown in discipline, with staff subjected to bullying and intimidation, and poor students allowed to achieve borderline results.

They highlighted an incident in a first-year anatomy practical when "students were seen throwing pieces of pig heart and lung at each other". They also alleged a student had admitted cheating during an examination. Despite complaints, no action was taken over either incident, and the student passed.

A spokesperson for the four staff, one of whom has resigned in protest, said: "Dreadful failures are made more acceptable and outright fails are moved closer to borderline."

A spokeswoman for the university said it was seriously concerned about the allegations, and was thoroughly investigating all aspects of them.