Stellenbosch University
Master of Medicine in Virological Pathology
The Master of Medicine in Virological Pathology in Health Professions is offered by Stellenbosch University.
Program Length: 4 YEARS.
Master of Medicine in Virological Pathology offered by 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
The first six modules below entail mainly teaching, while the seventh module consists of research.
Good Laboratory Practice and Medical Ethics (10) *
Laboratory Management (10) *
Medical Microbiology (40)
Medical Virology (280)
Molecular Pathology (10)
Research Assignment (120)
Research Methodology (10) *
* Generic Pathology modules
Assessment and examination
- You must complete the three generic pathology modules and the Molecular Pathology module within the first 24 months of training, and submit proof of satisfactory attendance or successful completion of the respective module assessments as applicable. The programme includes a four-month rotation through Medical Microbiology and Immunology.
- A Part I examination must be completed successfully within 18 months of commencement of the programme. If you fail to complete the Part I examination successfully within 18 months, you will be advised to discontinue the programme.
- The Part II examination is a single national exit examination of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (College of Pathologists) and consists of a theoretical, a practical and an oral examination. Prerequisites for admission to the Part II examination are the successful completion of the Part I examination and a minimum of 42 months' experience as a registrar in Medical Virology, of which you have spend at least three months in Medical Microbiology or Immunology.
- The minimum pass mark for the Part I and II examinations is 50%.
- The prerequisites for graduation are the completion of four years of study and the successful completion of the Part I and Part II examinations and the assignment. You must submit a portfolio of evidence as part of flexible assessment before the degree can be awarded.
- If you fail to successfully complete the Part II examination and the research assignment within a maximum training period of five years, you will be advised to discontinue the programme.
- The HPCSA requires that you successfully complete the single exit examination to register as a specialist.
- The Division of Medical Virology acknowledges this examination as equivalent to and substituting the MMed (Virol Path) Part II examination.
- It, however, remains the responsibility of the head of the Division to confirm the following:
- successful completion of the clinical training time;
- successful completion of the research assignment according to the regulations of the University in this regard;
- successful completion of the Part I examination; and
- submission of a completed portfolio of evidence.
