Doctor of Medicine

To produce scholars who

• can define a research question and undertaken independent research;
• can select and use appropriate methods of research;
• have mastered the relevant literature in their field;
• have made a substantial and original contribution to knowledge in their field, the substance of which is worthy of publication in a scholarly journal or book.

Completion of the exit level outcomes of a Masters qualification is an appropriate field of study, at a standard acceptable to the faculty.

Recognised prior learning

In cases where relevant experiences or other prior learning is deemed to compensate for lack of formal qualifications, a candidate may be admitted by permission of Senate.

• Demonstrate a depth of knowledge an high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area / across specialised areas;
• Question existing knowledge boundaries and practices and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge;
• Apply knowledge and theory to unfamiliar, unpredictable contexts;
• Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base;
• Show mastery of the literature in a field;
• Demonstrate intellectual independence, apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems;
• Autonomously synthesise and evaluate information;
• Make sound evaluations on the basis of independently generated criteria;
• Operate successfully in unfamiliar situations and confidently select tools for the job;
• Design and manage abstract systems models;
• Demonstrate research leadership within a field or across disciplines;
• Accurately assess, with justification, own and others' work;
• Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability;
• Practice within academic, professional and/or self-defined ethics.

The attainment of the qualification is demonstrated by means of the independent production of a thesis, or significant body of published work, that places research within the broader context of the field, withstands international expert intellectual scrutiny and contributes to original knowledge in the field. The candidates will also demonstrate full professional communication with others in the field and appropriate professional and ethical behavior.

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

The University of Natal 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.

Assessment takes place through the thesis, in which the learner is expected to show competency in all outcomes listed in Learning Outcomes, and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the exisiting literature across the entire area of the investigation.