Program Overview

Programme: MMed Forensic Pathology

Programme Information

The MMed Forensic Pathology programme is offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Forensic Medicine. The programme consists of a minimum duration of study of 4 years, with a total of 624 credits at NQF level 09.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the programme, applicants must:

• Hold an MBChB (or equivalent) degree or a relevant medical degree with modules equivalent to at least the first two years of the MBChB degree.
• Be currently registered as a physician with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and must have been registered for at least one year.

Programme Structure

The programme includes the following components:

• Core modules:
  • ANA 800: Anatomy 800 (36 credits)
  • ANP 874: Anatomical pathology 874 (36 credits)
  • FAR 803: Pharmacology 803 (36 credits)
  • FSG 801: Physiology 801 (36 credits)
  • GGK 800: Forensic medicine 800 (300 credits)
  • MMS 890: Dissertation 890 (180 credits)
  • TNM 802: Applied research methodology 802 (0 credits, attendance module only)
• Research component: A dissertation (MMS 890) or a research article that has been accepted for publication in a subsidised periodical.
• Registrarship: Students must prove to the University that they have successfully filled the required full-time training post for a period of four or five years, completed the theoretical, practical, clinical and applicable training, passed the prescribed written, oral, practical and/or clinical university examinations, and successfully completed the research component of the degree.

Examinations and Pass Requirements

• The sequence of the examinations in the prerequisite subjects will be determined by the head of the department.
• A minimum final mark of 50% is required to pass in a subject, and a subminimum of 50% is required in the clinical section of the examination.
• A student is not admitted to the examination in a prerequisite subject more than twice, nor is he or she admitted to the examination in the major subject more than twice.

Exemption

The Faculty Board may grant partial exemption from the training and work on the grounds of comparable training and experience completed in another post or at another recognised institution.

Pass with Distinction

The degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained a final mark of at least 75% in their major subject.

General Information

Registrars are expected to participate increasingly in the examining and treatment of patients in the hospital, both in-patients and out-patients, as well as performing and interpreting tests in the laboratory (where applicable). Lectures/symposia with closely related departments are organised, as well as discussions of literature, etc.