Universities and Online Degrees Guide

Stellenbosch University

Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology

The Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.

Program Length: 4 YEARS.

Master of Medicine in Chemical Pathology offered by the Stellenbosch University at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences 

This Master of Medicine (MMed) programme is offered in all the recognised specialities of medicine in South Africa. This programme is structured to meet the Health Professions Council of South Africa's (HPSCA) requirements for specialisation. It extends over a period of four to five years. Candidates must be incumbents of registered training posts.

Programme content

First year

Basic Principles of Chemical Pathology and Basic Biochemistry (60)
Molecular Pathology (10)

Second and third year
Section I
Electrolytes, blood gases, liver functions and lipids (65)

 

Section II

Enzymes, proteins, tumour markers and inherited metabolic diseases (65)

 

Section III

Endocrinology (65)

 

Section IV

Nutrition and trace elements, toxicology and immunology (65)
Laboratory Management (10)
Research Methodology (10)
Good Laboratory Practice and Medical Ethics (10)
Research Assignment (120)

Assessment and examination
Part I

• As a registrar you will only have two opportunities to attempt the FCPath (Chem Path) Part I examination.
• You may attempt the first opportunity after 12 months of commencement of the programme, but not later than 18 months.
• If you have not successfully completed the Part I examination within 24 months of commencement of the programme, you will be excluded from the rest of the programme.
• You may, however, submit a request to the MMed (Chem Path) Programme Committee to be allowed a third attempt at the Part I examination.
• Such request will be considered on an individual basis and the recommendation for approval to the Committee for Postgraduate Education will depend on the reasons for the request.

Part II

• The HPCSA requires that you successfully complete the single national exit examination to register as a specialist.
• The Division of Chemical Pathology acknowledges this examination as equivalent to and substituting the MMed (Chem Path) Part II examination.
• It, however, remains the responsibility of the head of the Division to confirm the following:
  • successful completion of flexible assessment.
  • successful completion of the assignment according to the regulations of the University in this regard; and
  • submission of a completed case-book;
  • successful completion of clinical training time;
• To be admitted to the Part II examination you must achieve a pass mark of 50% in flexible assessment in each of the four sections, and the assignment must be submitted for assessment. See the study guide for more details in this regard.
• If you have not successfully completed the flexible assessment by the end of the eighth semester, you will be excluded from the rest of the programme.
• There are three opportunities to write the Part II examination.
• You may write the first opportunity at the Part II examination in the seventh semester of commencement of the programme.
• You may apply and motivate for an extension of this period. If the extension is granted, you will be excluded from the programme if the FCPath (Chem Path) Part II examination has not been completed by the end of the ninth semester.
• If you have not successfully completed the Part II examination and the assignment within five years of study, you will be excluded from the rest of the programme.
• As a registrar you must usually vacate your registrar post after five years, irrespective of passing the Part II examination.

Assignment

• The assignment must be presented in the prescribed format and be approved by internal and external examiners.
• The final mark is 100 (weight = 120 credits).

Final mark

• The Part II examination will contribute 75% to the final mark and the assignment 25%.
• You must submit a portfolio of evidence as part of flexible assessment before the degree can be awarded.