Master of Medicine in Virological Pathology

General admission and selection requirements for the MMed programmes
• The following apply to all MMed programmes:
o For admission to the MMed degree programme, you must have held an MBChB degree from this University or another qualification considered as sufficient by this University for at least three years prior to application, and must be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as medical practitioner in the category independent practice.

o If you specialise in Anaesthesiology, Neurosurgery, Emergency Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology, Orthopaedics, and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, you must also have completed suitable courses such as ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support) and APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support). Consult the specific requirements at each programme in the FMHS Yearbook.

o If you would like to register as an MMed student with the University, you must occupy a registrar post with the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness or the National Health Laboratory Services. Exceptions to this rule will be considered in the following instances:
where you register as an occasional student with the University (refer also to the section on admission as an occasional student in Part 1 (General Rules) of the Yearbook) with the sole purpose of attempting the primary subjects prior to registering as an MMed student and to obtaining a position as registrar; and where you have completed your training time and you are only registering to complete your research assignment.

• If you apply for a training post at the Tygerberg Hospital, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Health and Wellness or another institution considered as equivalent by this University, you must make sure of the programme-specific recommendations which apply to your MMed programme. Direct any enquiries in this regard to the programme leader of your specific programme.

Curriculum vitae (CV)
A document that outlines your educational level, employment history, description of work experience, especially that is relevant to your application to study and contact details of three referees.

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Curriculum vitae (CV)

Letter of motivation
One-page document explaining what factors are motivating you to apply for the specific programme(s) and describing what makes you a suitable candidate.

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Motivational letter / Essay

Proof of professional registration with an entity
A recognised professional body grants professional registration on the grounds of attainment of a recognised standard of competence and education that permits practice of a profession.

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Proof of professional or accredited registration

Programme content
The first two modules below involve theory and practical aspects, while the third module involves a research project
Introduction to Virological Pathology 875(120)
Medical Virology 876(240)
Research Assignment 819(120)

Assessment and examination
• The curriculum of the MMed (Virol Path) programme corresponds with that of the Fellowship of the College of Pathologists of South Africa – Virology of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).
• A Part I examination must be completed after the candidate has met the practical competencies and learning exposure criteria as outlined in the CMSA Virological Pathology Part I curriculum. The marks obtained in this examination will be captured against the Introduction to Virological Pathology module. If you fail to successfully complete the Part I examination within 18 months of commencing training, you will be excluded from the programme.
• Medical Virology is the anchor module of the programme and is examined during the Part II examination of the Fellowship of the College of Pathologists – Virology of the CMSA, which is a single national exit examination. The examination consists of a theoretical and a practical examination and possibly an oral examination. Prerequisites for admission to the Part II examination are successful completion of the Part I examination and sufficient training and experience as outlined in the CMSA Virological Pathology curriculum and captured in a portfolio of evidence. It is your responsibility to keep and maintain your portfolio of evidence.
• 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 research 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 excluded from the programme and will have to vacate your registrar post. These requirements also apply to supernumerary registrars.
• The Health Professions Council of South Africa (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:
o successful completion of the clinical training time;
o successful completion of the research assignment according to the regulations of the University in this regard;
o successful completion of the Part I examination; and
o submission of a completed portfolio of evidence.
• The final mark is calculated as follows:
o CMSA Part II examination 75%; and
o research assignment 25%.