Studying Medicine at Wits

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MB BCh I

The first year consists of courses in the Natural and Social Sciences that are relevant to the study of Medicine. All students take a full course in Biology (Introduction to Medical Science), either full or half courses in Physics and Chemistry and either one or two courses selected from Zulu for Medical Students, Biomedical Mathematics, Psychology and Human Behavioural Sciences. Further offerings may become available.

During this year students will be introduced to normal human structure and function through in Anatomy, Physiology Molecular Medicine. A further half course is chosen from offerings by the Humanities.

The introductory course, Preliminary Concepts in Medical Science (PCMS), is followed by five integrated organ-system blocks. The emphasis is on small group and independent student study. From week one in the first organ-system block, students will be introduced to the hospital and community environments. Assessments are taken in-course and if necessary again at the end of the year. Students have an elective at the end of the year.

Further organ-system blocks are studied and assessed as in Year III, plus an integrated examination at the end of the year.

This the first of two years with a primary clinical focus. The year consists of rotations through a number of clinical disciplines while continuing to integrate the basic sciences and psychosocial domains with the clinical sciences. There will be assessment at the end of each block as well as an integrated exam at the end of the year.

The year consists of rotations through the major clinical disciplines ( Medicine, Sugery, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics and Primary Care), while continuing to integrate the basic sciences and psychosocial domains with the clinical sciences. There is a three week elective period which may be taken locally or outside South Africa. There will be assessment at the end of each block as well as an integrated exam at the end of the year.

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