The new Faculty of Medicine (FOM) at the University of Botswana (UB) offers both undergraduate (MBBS) and postgraduate degrees (MMed). The following 4 year long postgraduate training programmes (start in January) are available:
Any Motswana who started postgraduate training elsewhere and for whatever reason has not been able to complete a programme and still wants to pursue their studies, may be eligible to transfer into UB programmes for the above specialties on a case-by-case basis.
MMed trainees will be in fulltime training though working in MOH facilities. Those on sponsorship from the government will receive compensation packages consistent with government policies and previous experience. Applicants not on Government sponsorship will have to arrange their own sponsorship to cover UB fees, books and related items, travel and living expenses.
All applicants should have completed medical training at a recognized school of medicine and have been in active clinical practice for at least two years – one or more of which must have been in an approved internship programme. Whilst preference will be given to Botswana citizens, non-citizens with proof of sponsorship will be considered as well. It’s the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they fulfill criteria for sponsorship by their prospective sponsor before applying.
Completed applications must include:
a. An up-to-date curriculum vitae listing education, work experience and relevant personal information.
b. A statement of approximately 500 words indicating why the applicant is seeking postgraduate training in the particular specialty.
c. Certified copies of qualifications and degrees as well as official transcripts from the applicant’s medical school.
d. Three letters of reference from professional contacts.
e. Completed School of Graduate Studies application from.
The Master of Medicine is offered as a medical post-graduate programme involving clinical rotations, course work and dissertation. Trainees will be working full time in health establishments and undertaking training as an integral part of their clinical workload.
Subject to the provisions of the General Regulations 00, 40 and 41, the following Faculty of Medicine (FOM) regulations shall apply.
All who successfully complete these programmes will be awarded an MMed degree from the University of Botswana and will qualify for specialty registration with the Botswana Health Professions Council.
3.1 Applicants must hold a first degree in Medicine or equivalent from recognized University and must have completed at least two years of clinical practice that must include at least 12 months in a recognized supervised internship programme.
3.2 Completed applications shall be received by the deadline set by the SOM immediately preceding the commencement of the academic year for which the application is made.
3.3 Applicants meeting basic entry requirements will be invited for an interview. Selection will be based on the candidate’s competitiveness including the interview outcome. The overall assessment will be 30% for academic qualifications, 30% for relevant experience including supportive references and 40% for the interview.
3.4 The graduate student will commence her/his M. Med Programme on the date specified in the offer letter.
3.5 The applicants will be required to start as a class on pre-set dates. An applicant unable to take up her/his admission may however resubmit her/his application in subsequent years.
3.6 A student may withdraw from studies by requesting permission to withdraw from the Department and the SGS. When such a request is approved by the Department and the SGS the student’s registration may be suspended for up to 24 months [4 semesters].
4.1 The specialised M. Med. Areas share a common format.
4.2 Each requires four years of full time study which is consistent with SADC and other international standards. Candidates will complete eight semesters of Level 600 and 700 courses.
4.3 A dissertation is required.
5.1 Progress toward the M. Med. degree will be made through a balanced programme of study including didactic seminar instruction and supervised clinical apprenticeships in the specialty area of choice.
5.2 As an integrating capstone to this continuous learning process each student must write and defend a research-based dissertation. It is expected that the initial effort for this dissertation will begin early in the learner’s career at UB and no later than the second semester courses GME 602 and 701; Introduction to Clinical Research & Introduction to Medical Literature respectively. Formal submission and examination of this work will occur at some point during the last two years of the M. Med programme. Academic credit structure to support the dissertation research may vary from specialty to specialty.
5.3 Students are generally required to progress through all the courses of the programme in sequence. However, in the early years of the programme there may be exceptional applicants who have completed one or more years of post-graduate training in other countries. Such candidates may apply to the Dean of FOM for special consideration in accordance with UB policy on prior learning.
5.4 Training shall be based on a tutorial and interactive learning model.
5.5 Supervision from clinical staff members shall be provided at different levels depending on the progress of the student and the difficulty or risk involved with the service/ procedure.
5.6 By the end of the programme all trainees will be expected to function independently in the vast majority of clinical situations to be encountered by the average practitioner in their disciplines.
5.7 While the seminar-based subject material can in general be well defined and presented in an orderly progression, the learning process for the clinical base is less structured and predictable. Patients arrive, are cared for, and provide unique learning opportunities at different times and in different settings. Competency is, of course, measured and reported during the entire learning experience, but each learner’s sequential progress is different depending on the presentation of clinical material to the wards and clinics. This is a distinguishing feature of postgraduate medical education and it requires a very close interactive relationship between learner and mentor(s) throughout the training programme.
5.8 In the end the faculty is obliged to confirm that all learners have reached competency levels in all relevant areas of the chosen specialty but the integration of the individual patient based learning experiences will be different for each candidate.
5.9 Students who demonstrate conduct appropriate to the profession of medicine throughout the four years duration of the programme and successfully complete all the academic requirements of the programme will be eligible to graduate with a Master of Medicine degree.
7.1 Any conduct deemed inappropriate to the profession of medicine will be referred to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in writing. If these allegations are of a serious nature, the Dean may convene a Disciplinary Committee to investigate the allegations and to determine any actions to be taken. The allegations may be dismissed, or the student may be given a written warning, placed on probation or dismissed after consultation with the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the DVCAA. Any student who appears before the disciplinary committee more than once for allegations of a serious nature which are proved to be true is likely to be dismissed.
7.2 The opinion of the BHPC will be sought in cases of serious professional misconduct.
8.1 Rotations Evaluations
8.1.1 The resident’s performance will be evaluated by the specialist/lecturer. A written evaluation will be completed at least once per rotation.
8.1.2 The record of evaluations of the residents will be maintained by the Faculty of Medicine. These written reports, completed on the evaluation form, will be kept in the resident’s personal file. Residents will review their file any time he or she wishes.
8.1.3 Evaluations assess procedural skills, fund of medical knowledge, medical management ability, patient communication and relationship skills, acceptance of supervision, work ethic, patient-centred focus, understanding and application of socioeconomic principles, and medical record completion.
8.1.4 Verbal feedback will be given to the resident regarding the evaluation by the faculty.
8.1.5 The resident will be given a grade of P (progress), U (unsatisfactory) or I (incomplete) for each rotation.
8.1.6 The Faculty members of the relevant Specialty will review residents’ progress regularly.
8.1.7 The relevant Specialty Faculty members will meet the residents at regular intervals (at least quarterly), to evaluate their performance, give them feedback and listen to their concerns.
Attendance is expected at all teaching sessions, unless in case of unavoidable clinical responsibilities, sickness or personal emergency, subject to approval by the Head of Department. Mandatory minimum attendance requirement of 80%.
9.1.1 Those residents who do not receive a satisfactory grade for a rotation will be allowed to repeat that rotation once without penalty.
9.1.2 A second poor showing will result in the resident being placed on probation which will include specific requirements which must be met before it can be lifted.
9.1.3 A resident who remains on probation for more than 6 months is liable to termination from the programme
Candidates who have successfully completed Part 1 exam, dissertation, Part II exam and the rotations, shall be recommended by the FOM to Senate for award of the MMed degree of the University of Botswana
9.2.1 Residents shall be required to have a dissertation accepted by the examiners as well as pass Part I and Part II examinations prior to receipt of the MMed degree. The examinations shall be of similar standard as that of the College of Medicine of South Africa or similar international professional body for the respective specialties/disciplines. Where possible, desirable and advantageous, disciplines may use the South African College examinations which shall be accepted by the UB as equivalent to its own examinations and for purposes of meeting the academic requirements of the MMed programme.
9.2.2 Dissertation
9.2.2.1 Residents will be required to take a course on clinical research and medical literature within the first two years as a prerequisite for their dissertation
9.2.2.2 Each resident will select their dissertation topic and supervisor by end of the first year. The resident will, with the assistance of the supervisor, develop an acceptable programme of the research project culminating in the submission and examination of the proposal by the seventh semester.
9.2.2.3 The dissertation will have to be 2500 to 10 000 words (excluding footnotes, tables and appendices) and found to be of adequate standard by the examiners.
9.2.2.4 Examination of the Dissertation shall be in accordance with the UB regulations [41.11] and shall be assessed as follows:
a. Accepted and passed;
b. Accepted pending minor modifications;
c. Referred for major amendments; or
d. Failed
The completion of required minor amendments to the Dissertation shall be coordinated by the Supervisor and certified by the Internal Examiner [41.11.5]. Major amendments shall be approved by the External Examiner [41.11.6].
9.2.3 The M. Med Part I examination must be passed by the resident within the first two years of the MMed programme. Satisfactory evaluations of both the Rotations and by the relevant faculty members shall be a prerequisite for taking the M. Med Part I examination. Residents will be given a pass or fail grade for the MMed Part 1 examination.
9.2.3.1 A candidate who fails the MMed Part 1 exam shall be allowed to re-sit the Part I exam the following semester.
9.2.3.2 The Part I exam will be available once every semester. Therefore within the first two years of the M Med programme there will be a maximum of four potential opportunities for the resident to sit the exam.
9.2.3.3 A candidate who does not pass the MMed Part I exam within the first two years of the MMed shall have their future with the MMed programme reviewed by the Faculty of Medicine Board, with strong consideration given to the recommendation by the relevant supervising department.
9.2.3.4 If the Board decides that the candidate has otherwise performed well during their MMed and is worthy of further opportunities to pass the Part 1 exam, the candidate may remain in the M Med programme and re-sit the exam. Such a candidate will re-register for the MMed Part 1 examination preparation course and continue the clinical rotations of the fourth semester in Botswana. Once the candidate has successfully passed the part 1 exam they may commence third year (semester five) of the MMed programme.
9.2.3.5 If the Faculty of Medicine Board decides that the candidates overall performance during the M Med programme has been unsatisfactory, the Faculty of Medicine Board may decide to terminate the candidate’s place in the M Med programme. A candidate shall commence rotations at external collaborating institutions only after successfully passing the Part-I M. Med examination and completing at least two years of the programme in Botswana.
9.2.3.6 This section on examinations may not apply to all programmes. Please refer to the section on each programme for specifics on examinations.
9.2.4 The MMed Part II examination will take place during fourth year of the MMed programme, and the candidates will be examined according to the training received. Satisfactory evaluations of the Rotations by the relevant faculty members shall be a prerequisite for taking the M. Med Part II examination. The Part II examination may be taken before or after acceptance of the dissertation, but the resident has to have successfully completed the dissertation and passed the Part II examination in order to be recommended by the Faculty Board to the Senate for conferment of an MMed degree. Individual MMed programmes may set additional pre-requisites for the sitting of the Part II examination, e.g., the submission of case logs or performance portfolios. Residents will receive a pass or fail grade for the M Med part II examination.
9.2.4.1 A candidate who fails the M Med Part II exam shall, with the permission of the Faculty of Medicine Board be allowed to re-sit the exam the following semester.
9.2.4.2 Further attempts at the Part II exam may be possible, with the permission of the Faculty of Medicine Board, providing the resident does not exceed the overall maximum duration of the M. Med programme.
9.2.4.3 The maximum duration of the MMed training programme is 6 years. Therefore a candidate who fails to pass the Part II exam within 6 years of commencing the MMed shall, with the permission of the Faculty of Medicine Board be discontinued from the programme.
9.2.4.4 It is the responsibility of the resident to ensure that they have the requisite funding to cover training and welfare expenses during their time at UB. Where a resident’s training goes beyond 4 years, they have to secure additional sponsorship to sustain them during this time as well.
10.1 Residents will be entitled to twenty (20) working days of leave per year, that must (except for extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances) be approved in writing at least four months in advance by the relevant University of Botswana Head of Departments. Leave approval must be granted by both the Head of Department of the residents Specialty, as well as the Supervising Clinician in whichever clinical rotation the resident is undertaking at the time of the leave. Leave cannot accumulate from one year to the next.
10.2 Residents will be entitled to ten (10) working days of conference/skills development/remedial work or similar extracurricular academic activities per year. Attendance at mandatory courses, examinations, etc. is NOT considered as study leave, as it is part of the study course. However, attendance at conferences will be considered study leave. Study leave must (except for extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances) be approved in writing at least four months in advance by the relevant University of Botswana Head of Departments. Leave approval must be granted by both the Head of Department of the residents Specialty, as well as the Supervising Clinician in whichever clinical rotation the resident is undertaking at the time of the leave. Leave cannot accumulate from one year to the next.
10.3
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism 2(Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I(2) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 611 Introduction to Internal Medicine I
Semester Two
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature(2)
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research(2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 612 Introduction To Internal Medicine II
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 705 Principles & Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 711 Intermediate Internal medicine I (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation II (2)
GME 704 M. Med Part I Exam preparation IV (2)
GME 712 Intermediate Internal Medicine II (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation III (2)
GME 713 Intermediate Internal Medicine III (16)
Credit total (18)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation IV (2)
GME 706 Presentation and defence of dissertation (2)
GME 714 Intermediate Internal Medicine (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and Defence of Dissertation
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation I
GME 715 Advanced Internal Medicine I
Credit total(24)
Semester Eight
GME 716 Advanced Internal Medicine II
Credit total
11.1.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for M. MED (Internal Medicine)
Residents shall be required to pass Part I and Part I examinations and the dissertation prior to receipt of the MMed degree. A tentative format for these exams is listed below. The format will be subject to review by the teaching staff of the Department of Internal Medicine on a regular basis.
a) Part I M. Med
The examination must be passed within the first two years of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the clinical wards and have been positively continuously assessed.
The Part I MMed examination will be the Fellowship of the College of Physicians under the auspices of the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of basic sciences and pathophysiology and their application to Internal Medicine, fundamental principles of clinical , preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
b) Part-II MMed
The Part-II MMed examination will be taken during the final year of the programme.
In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the clinical wards and have been positively continuously assessed.
A candidate must attempt Part II MMed not later than 6 years from the start of their training.
The Part II MMed examination will be will be the Fellowship of the College of Physicians under the auspices of the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of cover clinical Internal Medicine, community medicine, ethics, health policy and common Internal Medicine problems from other disciplines.
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. (2)
(Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2)
(Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 631 Basic Science of Anaesthesia and the Practice of Anaesthesia I (16)
(Prereq: MBBS degree)
Credit total (20)
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 632 Basic Science of Anaesthesia and the Practice of Anaesthesia II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 731 Clinical Anaesthesia Practice I (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 732 Clinical Anaesthesia Practice II (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 733 *Advanced Anaesthesia Practice I (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation and defence of dissertation (2)
GME 734 *Advanced Anaesthesia Practice II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and defence of Dissertation (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 735 *Advanced Anaesthesia Practice III (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 736 *Advanced Anaesthesia Practice IV GME 735 (16)
Credit total (16)
11.2.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for MMED (Anaesthesia)
Residents shall be required to pass Part I and Part Il examinations and the dissertation prior to receipt of the MMed degree. A tentative format for these exams is listed below. The format will be subject to review by the teaching staff of the Department of Anaesthesia on an annual basis.
a) Part I MMed
The examination must be passed within the first 2 years of the MMed programme. Satisfactory evaluations by both the rotation supervisors and the Residents Review Committee shall be a prerequisite for taking the M. Med Part I examination.
The details of the Part I M. Med examination will be finalised once agreement has been made between the UB SOM and other institutions, e.g. South African institutions offering M. Med or the respective Colleges of Medicine of South Africa or the Royal Colleges of Medicine of the United Kingdom. However this examination will assess the student’s knowledge of basic sciences and their application to Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, fundamental principles of clinical care, preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
b) Part-II MMed
The Part-II M. Med examination will be taken during the fourth academic year and it is the final exit examination upon which the student’s final outcome depends.
The candidate shall only be allowed to sit in the final examination if he/she is in good standing with satisfactory evaluations of both the rotations and the Assistant Programme Director.
A candidate must attempt Part II M. Med not later than two years after passing Part-I of the examination.
A candidate must attempt Part II M. Med not later than 6 years from the start of his/her training.
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. (2) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 641 Principles of Emergency Medicine I (16)
(Prereq: MBBS degree)
Credit total (20)
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 642 Principles of Emergency Medicine II (16) (Prereq:GME 641)
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2)
GME 790 Introduction to the Dissertation (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 741 Principles of Emergency Medicine III (14) (Prereq: GME 642)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 742 Principles of Emergency Medicine IV (14)
Credit total 20
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 743 *Advanced Emergency Medicine I (16)
Credit total 20
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation of dissertation I (2)
GME 744 *Advanced Emergency Medicine II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation of Dissertation II (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 745 *Advanced Emergency Medicine III (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 746 *Advanced Emergency Medicine IV (Prerq GME 745) (16)
Credit total (16)
11.3.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for MMED (Emergency Medicine)
Residents shall be required to successfully complete Part I and Part Il examinations and the dissertation prior to receipt of the M. Med degree. The format will be subject to review by the teaching staff of the Department of Emergency Medicine on an annual basis.
a) Part I MMed
The examination will be taken within the first two years of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through clinical rotations and have been positively continuously assessed. A critical performance portfolio involving clinical cases, case write ups and logbook of procedures needs to be maintained by the EM resident and examined every six months by the Head of Department.
The Emergency Medicine residents will sit the Colleges of Emergency Medicine of South Africa (CEM (SA)) Part 1 exam. This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of basic sciences and pathophysiology and their application to Emergency Medicine, fundamental principles of clinical, preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
b) Part 2 MMed
The examination will be taken within the final year of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the appropriate number of clinical rotations and have been positively continuously assessed. The Resident will need to successfully submit a critical performance portfolio prior to the Part 2 exam, which will include the submission of a research dissertation.
A candidate must attempt Part II MMed not later than 6 years from the start of his/her training.
The Part 2 MMed examination will be the Fellowship of the College of Emergency Medicine (FCEM) offered under the auspices of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of clinical Emergency Medicine, ethics, health policy and common Emergency Medicine problems from other disciplines
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. 2 (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 651 Introduction to Family Medicine I (16) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
Credit total (20)
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 652 Introduction to Family Medicine II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 751 Intermediate Family Medicine I (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 752 Intermediate Family Medicine III (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 753 Intermediate Family Medicine III (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation of dissertation I (2)
GME 754 Intermediate Family Medicine IV (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation of Dissertation II (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 755 Advanced Family Medicine (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 756 Advanced Family Medicine II (16)
Credit total (16)
11.4.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for MMED (Family Medicine)
Residents shall be required to pass Part I and Part II examinations prior to receipt of the MMed degree in accordance with Regulation 8.0 of the Faculty of Medicine, Master of Medicine programme. A tentative format for these exams is listed below. The format is subject to review by the faculty of the Department of Family Medicine on an annual basis.
a) Part I M. Med
The examination must be passed within the first 2 years of the MMED programme. Satisfactory evaluations by both the rotation supervisors shall be a prerequisite for taking the MMed Part I examination.
The Part I examinations are comparable those of partner institutions, e.g. Stellenbosch University. The examination will assess the student’s knowledge of Family Medicine, principles of clinical care, preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
The examination consists of a combination of multiple-choice questions and written papers. A candidate who has failed one or more sections, but passed others, may re-sit the individual section failed at the next offered examination date, without having to re-sit the passed sections.
b) Part-II M. Med examination will be taken at the end of the fourth academic year and it is the final exit examination upon which the student’s final outcome depends.
The candidate shall only be allowed to sit in the final examination if they are in good standing with satisfactory evaluations of both the rotations and the Assistant Programme Director.
The Part II M. Med examination will be comparable to that of partner institutions e.g. Stellenbosch University. This examination will assess the student’ theoretical knowledge of Family Medicine, its practical applications and current developments in the field.
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. (Prereq: MBBS degree) (2)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2)
Prereq: MBBS degree
GME 661 Introduction to Public Health I
(Prereq: MBBS degree) (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 662 Introduction to Public Health II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 761 Intermediate Public Health I (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 762 Introduction to Public Health II (14)
Credit total 20
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 763 Intermediate Public Health III (16)
Credit total 20
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation and Defence of dissertation (2)
GME 764 Intermediate Public health IV (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and Defence of Dissertation (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 765 Advanced Public Health Medicine I (18)
Credit total 24
Semester Eight
GME 766 Advanced Public Health Medicine II(16)
Credit total (16)
11.5.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for MMED (Public Health Medicine)
Residents shall be required to pass Part I and Part II examinations prior to receipt of the MMed degree in accordance with Regulation 8.0 of the Faculty of Medicine, Master of Medicine programme. A tentative format for these exams is listed below. The format will be subject to review by faculty of the Department of Public Health on an annual basis.
a) Part I M. Med
The examination must be passed within the first 2 years of the MMED programme. Satisfactory evaluations by both the rotation supervisors and the Trainees Review Committee shall be a prerequisite for taking the MMed Part I examination.
This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals. The examination will likely consist of a combination of multiple-choice questions and written papers. A candidate who has failed one or more section, but passed others, may re-sit the individual section failed at the next offered examination date, without having to re-sit the passed sections.
b) Part-II M.
Med examination will be taken at the end of the fourth academic year and it is the final exit examination upon which the student’s final outcome depends.
The candidate shall only be allowed to sit in the final examination if s/he is in good standing with satisfactory evaluations of both the rotations and the Assistant Programme Director.
This examination will assess the student’s competency in applying Public Health principles to the practice of Public Health Medicine.
All courses are required except for the exam preparation whose requirement ceases once the candidate passes the exam. The sequence outlined should be followed, but exceptions in sequencing and prerequisites may be possible by written approval of the Dean of FOM.
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. (2)
(Prereq:MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2) (Prereq:MBBS degree)
GME 621 Introduction to Paediatrics and Adolescent Health I
(Prereq: MBBS degree) (16)
Credit total 20
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 701 Introduction to the Medical Literature GME 622 Introduction to Paediatrics and Adolescent Health II (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Three
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 721 Intermediate Paediatrics and Adolescent Health I (14)
Credit total 20
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles and International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation II (2)
GME 704
GME 722 Intermediate Paediatrics and Adolescent Health II (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation III (2)
GME 723 Intermediate Paediatrics and Adolescent Health III (16)
Credit total (18)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation IV (2)
GME 724 Intermediate Paediatrics and Adolescent Health IV (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and Defence of
Dissertation (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 725 Advanced Paediatrics and Adolescent Health I (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 726 Advanced Paediatrics and Adolescent Health II GME 725 (16)
Credit total16
NB:GME 704 – Not a required module
11.6.1 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for MMED (Paediatrics and Adolescent Health)
Residents shall be required to successfully complete Part I and Part Il examinations and the dissertation prior to receipt of the M. Med degree. A tentative format for these exams is listed below. The format will be subject to review by the teaching staff of the Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Health on an annual basis.
a) Part I MMed
The examination will be taken within the first two years of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the clinical wards and have been positively continuously assessed.
The Part I MMed examination will be the Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians (FCPaed) offered under the auspices of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of basic sciences and their application to Paediatrics and Adolescent Health, fundamental principles of clinical child care, preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
b) Part 2 MMed
The examination will be taken within the final year of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the clinical wards and have been positively continuously assessed.
The Part 2 MMed examination will be the Fellowship of the College of Paediatricians (FCPaed) offered under the auspices of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of Paediatrics and Adolescent Health, fundamental principles of clinical child care, preventive and public health issues as well as research fundamentals.
11.7 Pathology
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism (2)
(Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2) Prereq: MBBS degree
GME 671 Introduction to General Pathology I (16)
Prereq: MBBS degree Credit total 20
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2) GME 672 Introduction to General Pathology II (16)
Credit total 20
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2) GME
790 Dissertation I 2
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 771 Intermediate Anatomic Pathology I (14)
Credit total 20
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 772 Intermediate Anatomic Pathology II (2)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 773 Intermediate Anatomic Pathology III (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation and Defence of dissertation (2)
GME 774 Intermediate Anatomical Pathology IV (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and Defence of Dissertation (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 775 Advanced Anatomic Pathology I (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 776 Advanced Anatomic Pathology II (16)
Credit total 1(6)
11.7.2 Course Sequencing for Clinical Pathology
Semester One
GME 601 Communication, Ethics and Professionalism. (2) Prereq: MBBS degree
GME 603 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation I (2) (Prereq: MBBS degree)
GME 681 Introduction to Clinical Pathology I (16)
Prereq: MBBS degree Credit total (20)
Semester Two
GME 602 Introduction to Clinical Research (2)
GME 604 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation II (2)
GME 682 Introduction to Clinical Pathology II 16
Credit total 20
Semester Three
GME 701 Introduction to Medical Literature (2)
GME 790 Dissertation I (2)
GME 703 M. Med Part 1 Exam preparation III 2
GME 781 Intermediate Clinical Pathology I (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Four
GME 702 Public Health Principles & International Health (2)
GME 791 Dissertation 2 (2)
GME 704 Introduction to Healthcare Management (2)
GME 782 Intermediate Clinical Pathology II (14)
Credit total (20)
Semester Five
GME 792 Dissertation 3 (2)
GME 705 Principles and Techniques of Medical Education (2)
GME 783 Intermediate Clinical Pathology III (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Six
GME 793 Dissertation 4 (2)
GME 706 Presentation and Defence of dissertation (2)
GME 784 Intermediate Clinical Pathology IV (16)
Credit total (20)
Semester Seven
GME 794 Presentation and Defence of Dissertation (4)
GME 707 M. Med Part 2 Exam preparation III (2)
GME 785 Advanced Clinical Pathology I (18)
Credit total (24)
Semester Eight
GME 786 Advanced Clinical Pathology II (16)
Credit total (16)
11.7.3 EXAMINATION REGULATIONS for M. MED (Pathology)
Residents shall be required to pass Part I and Part II examinations and the dissertation prior to the award of the MMed degree. The format for these exams is outline below. The format will be subject to review by the teaching staff of the Department of Pathology on an annual basis in conjunction with the College of Pathologists of South Africa.
11.7.4 The Structure
At present the examination is in two parts.
11.7.5 Part I M. Med Examination (Basic Sciences)
A candidate will be admitted to the part I Examination after completing 18 months of full time post-internship training in as a registrar in accredited anatomical Pathology teaching laboratory at the time of applying for the examination.
The examination must be passed within the first two years of the programme. In order to qualify for this examination, the resident should have attended at least 80% of the planned activities, satisfactorily rotated through the required benches and have been positively continuously assessed.
11.7.5.1 Conduct of the Examination
The Part I examination with an overall pass mark of
50% shall comprise of:
11.7.6 Part-II M. Med Examination
A candidate will be admitted to the part II examination after completing 42 months in full-time post internship training as an Anatomical pathology Registrar in an accredited anatomical Pathology teaching laboratory at the time of applying for the examination. The candidate must have successfully completed part I. The candidate must have completed at least 6 months full time in an approved cytology laboratory. This may form part of the 42 months training in anatomical pathology. The candidate will be required to submit a certificate from the Head of the department(s) where he/she has been working showing that he/she has properly completed a minimum of 50 autopsies satisfactorily under supervision and is able to cut and stained frozen sections. A portfolio of training must be submitted for assessment to confirm that the above have been adequately and satisfactorily completed.
11.7.6.1 Conduct of the examination
The part II examination with overall pass mark of 50% shall comprise:
i. A two 3-hour closed- book written examination papers each with a subminimum of 50%.
ii. The format shall be:
iii. Answer all questions comprising a mixture of essay questions to demonstrate integrative skills and short answer questions divided into molecular pathology; principles of pathology and special techniques including electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry and special investigations and laboratory management as well as ethical considerations. The practice of surgical pathology and cytopathology will also be part of this examination.
iv. A series of practical examinations each with a subminimum of 50% (unless otherwise stated) comprising:
The format will include:
v. Two three-hour closed book practical examination each with a subminimum of 50%.
The format shall be as follows:
vi. Two closed book OSPE examination of up to three hours duration each with a subminimum 0f 50% (except for certain inter-active components).
The format shall be as follows:
Examination 1 will include:
Examination 2 will include:
vii. Oral Examination
11.7.6.2 The weighting of the final mark will be as follows:
b) Part-II MMed
The Part-II MMed examination will be taken at the end of the fourth academic year and it is the final exit examination upon which the student’s final outcome depends.
The candidate shall only be allowed to sit in the final examination if they are in good standing with satisfactory evaluations of both the rotations and the Assistant Programme Director.
A candidate must attempt Part II M. Med not later than 6 years from the start of his/her training.
The Part II M. Med examination will be comparable with those of South African institutions offering M. Med. This examination will assess the student’s knowledge of cover clinical paediatrics, community paediatrics, ethics, health policy and common paediatric problems from other disciplines.