Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Medical Microbiology

To produce learners who are capable of integrative thinking, accessing and organising information and solving problems and are self-motivating in these activities. They will be able to communicate effectively in written and spoken forms. The subject matter is such that the qualification will inculcate awareness of health and science issues, also in relation to social affairs.

Employment opportunities for Honours learners in Medical Science are both broad and more specific. These include, among other things, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health management, government health departments, hospital and clinical laboratories, monitoring and health intervention qualification and in medical science research laboratories, particularly as postgraduate learners in higher degrees by research. The qualification, because it further develops a wide range of skills and competencies, lays the foundation for further specialisations in both medical science and clinical laboratory science research areas such as medico-legal, sports science, medical microbiology, and toxicology and chemical pathology.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science in Biology, NQF Level 7.
• Bachelor of Medical Science, NQF Level 7.
• Bachelor of Bio-Medical Science, NQF Level 7.

The Bachelor of Medical Science learner will

• Understand the principles and concepts of advanced theory and research in medical science with a specialisation in Medical Microbiology.
• Have practical laboratory skills applicable to research, including advanced instrumentation and computer abilities.
• Understand the scientific method with its practical application.
• Access, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information and present this to a senior medical scientist.
• Identify and solve specific research problems.
• Extend and apply what they have learned to a variety of contexts, both academic and vocational.
• Develop communicative skills in written and spoken scientific and medical English.
• Be capable of collaborative research group work.
• Be sensitive to and cognizant of the ethics of working with laboratory animals and human patients.
• Develop awareness of social and health issues, and the role that medical science should play in these.
• Enhance personal development, particularly in terms of self-directed and self-motivated study and development of professional attitudes.

Submit work for marking and the seminars presented their peers, and experts in the form of academic members are correct, communicated adequately and are of the right standard.

Write a logical and coherent research report on their project and also written assignments. They must carry out a supervised research project, as part of a larger research qualification.

Correlate information and concepts learned in a limited number of modules. This will largely through a supervised research project, but in all Honours modules, the ability to relate information from previous modules, e.g., from undergraduate studies will be expected.

Show competence in the outcome (7), all the learner's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of the use of scientific and medical English and the structural organisation of presentations.

Demonstrate competence in outcome (8), a learner will have to work successfully as a member of a group in a research team. This will be augmented with visits to clinical departments, interactions with patients and with members of the rural population where research is being conducted.

For competence in outcomes (9) - (11), the learner's general demeanour and etiquette in the class, laboratory and seminar room are good indicators. This will also include attendance at research meetings, journal clubs, advanced seminars and research talks, where they will be expected to participate and give informal reports on their progress in their projects. Learners will be expected to show a commitment to their studies and awareness of others with whom they interact.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved

The institution is currently reforming its assessment strategies to include the assessment of applied competence for each qualification. In the meantime, a combination of continuous assessment and traditional written examinations serve to assess the integration of all/most of the learning outcomes for each module in a qualification.