Virology Academic Programmes

Programme Information

Research project code: MMMB090

Selection and Admission Requirements

• Only a limited number of applicants can be admitted to the degree programme
• Selection is on merit.
• Prospective candidates should submit a research proposal (maximum 3 pages) and/or attend an interview by a Selection Committee as notified accordingly by the HOD through the Office of the Registrar.
• Applicants who have been previously excluded from a postgraduate training programme in a Faculty/School of Medicine at any other University shall not be admitted to SMU.

Curriculum

• A candidate for the degree of MSc (Med) shall execute during not less than one academic year advanced research, under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the HOD through Senate who shall have at least the same qualification
• Research Methodology course or equivalent is required (REME) – passed with 50%
• The research may take place at SMU or at any institution deemed suitable by the Senate and as per ethical clearance certificate issued by SMUREC for this purpose, however, the student must have permission from the relevant Department of Health (DOH) and/or National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) or other establishments to be conducting research at the relevant facilities
• MSc (Med) students must submit a departmentally approved research proposal to School of Medicine Research Committee (SReC) within 6 months after first time registration.
• MSc (Med) candidates that do not have Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research Ethics Committee (SMUREC) approval within 12-15 months after first time registration may be excluded from the programme.
• The final research project requirement may be met in any ONE of the following ways:

1. A research based full dissertation, (the dissertation is governed by General University and School rules regarding registration with SMUREC, supervisors and external assessors).
2. Publication or acceptance of a peer-reviewed original research article is the most preferred mode of submission, in the relevant discipline, in a DHET accredited journal as the primary author
3. (Disciplines individually determine which mode of presentation is appropriate.
4. An introduction, literature review and a conclusion must form part of the research work that has been done by the student when publishable manuscripts / published articles are submitted in the place of a full dissertation. The following hard copy documents must be submitted to and approved by the Postgraduate Committee of the University Senate before the degree will be awarded:

• publishable manuscript / published article;
• an introduction, literature review and a conclusion to the research done
• if accepted for publication, a certified copy of the acceptance letter from the journal editor; and
• the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Research Ethics Committee (SMUREC) clearance certificate for the research undertaken for the specific publication
• Evidence of the research being passed independently and separately by two external examiners
• Combined report by the Supervisor as signed off by the HOD

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Programme Information:

• Head of department: Prof G Selabe
• Coordinator: Dr MB Moloi
• Departmental Secretary: Ms K Mawasha
• Departmental e-mail: mawasha@smu.ac.za
• Programme Title: Master of Medicine in Virological Pathology
• Programme abbreviation: M Med
• Programme Code: MMDN01
• HPCSA Accreditation: Fully accredited

Standard Operating Procedures and guiding principles:

Clinical Experience and the Learning Environment

Clinical experience must be obtained over a minimum period of four years / 48 months.

• If the candidate has not completed within the prescribed period, a candidate may apply in writing for an extension which must be approved by Senate. A maximum of additional 2 years may be allowed, pending approval from the HOD and endorsement by the CEO of hospital.
• In line with the education principle of see one, do one, teach one, all registrars will be expected to contribute to learning, teaching and assessment of relevant undergraduate students, intern medical scientist or peers in relevant professions as per duty rosters and/or time-tables.
• Clinical experience may include outreach activities and registrars may therefore be expected to travel as per extended teaching, learning and service platforms.
• Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) and Workplace-based assessments (WBAs) will be staged throughout the clinical training period.
• Learning and preparation for WBAs should be appropriately supervised, and clinical and surgical exposure towards them suitably quantified

Primary Assessment

All primary assessments must be completed within eighteen (18) (24) months of registration.

Only one re-examination will be granted for each primary course provided that the total time period shall not exceed 30 months.

The syllabus follows that of the College of Medicine of South Africa and is available from the CMSA website.

• Medical Microbiology : MMIC190
• Molecular Biology : MMMA190
• Advanced Virology : MVPA190

Comprised of the following:

• Written Examination (Papers I and II)
• Practical Examination
• Oral Examination

The final combined mark is calculated in a ratio of 40: 40: 20: for written, oral and practical parts respectively.  A sub-minimum of 50% is required for each part of the examination.

Final Assessment

The final examination can only be entered for after 42 months approved registrarship training in Medical Virological Pathology as this examination may only be written after completion of the minimum acceptable training time in the discipline as required by HPCSA and CMSA.

• Virological Pathology Major : MVPB190

Note:

1. Admission to the final Examination shall depend on satisfactory continuous demonstration of attendance and competence. A logbook/box must be completed according to College of Medicine rules. Registrars are required to have attended 80% of academic meetings in the department e.g. Morbidity & Mortality, Academic topic presentations, Journal Club and Clinical Case Presentations/OSPE sessions etc.
2. Students shall have completed and presented a written project prescribed by the Head of the Department or presented a paper at a conference/congress so recognised by the Head of the Department (including Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University academic day) or published at least one paper in an accredited journal before sitting for the final Assessment.
3. The final Assessment may take different formats e.g. written, oral and clinical and will include both the theoretical and practical components of the programme
4. Students must pass the clinical component of the examination regardless of marks obtained for theory
5. A student who has passed the final Exit Examination of the College of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) may be exempted from writing the final SMU M Med Assessment, provided that a representative of the University is present at such an examination.
6. The final exit examination is hosted by the CMSA and it is the ONLY recognized exit exam in order to obtain the M Med degree.

SOP Curriculum: Research Dissertation:

In order to qualify for the Degree a MINI-dissertation is required.
Research Methodology course is required as a prerequisite.
The mini-dissertation must be passed separately and independently and a sub-minimum of 50% is required.

• REME801 Research methodology course – passed with 50%
• Dissertation in Virological Pathology: MVPA090

Note:

1. Prior to examination, a candidate must submit a mini-dissertation of acceptable standard based on original research work or evidence of having published one (1) original article in an accredited journal.
2. The mini-dissertation must be passed by two external examiners before the candidate can register with the HPCSA or qualify with a MMed degree.
3. The mini-dissertation submitted for final assessment shall be submitted to the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa for the award of the FCFP (SA) Final Part B.

More information on School of Medicine Postgraduate Programmes | SMU

Visit the School Calendar for more details: Undergraduate Students | SMU