1. The UKZN Undergraduate 6 year Medical Curriculum
Umesh Lalloo
Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine

2. ATTRIBUTES OF MBChB GRADUATES
understand the fundamental principles and methods of medicine and
apply the principles of research
mastered the clinical skills required for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
promote the health of both individuals and communities
treat physical and mental diseases at a PHC level
behave in a manner and observe medical ethics expected by the medical profession
acquired the foundations for life-long learning, and continued personal and intellectual growth
engage in gainful economic activity with a commitment to professionalism and service
manage themselves and the health care team

3. PRINCIPLES, DESIGN AND DELIVERY OF THE PROGRAMME
Student centred (consider their needs and ability)
Problem based (initially and emphasize clinical problems at exit level)
Integrated and multidisciplinary
Community orientated (experiential component conducted in the community setting)
Early clinical contact
Systematic (spiralling) (Concepts introduced in early years are revisited and expanded on later)

4. THE INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS AND TECHNIQUES USED
Small group, problem-based learning.
Facilitators trained to help the group to analyse a problem/case
Interactive large group sessions (similar to lectures)
Practical sessions used to illustrate concepts or demonstrate specimens, images or functions related to the problem under investigation.

5. MBChB 1 these modules are year long modules
Basic and Foundation Science for Medicine
Becoming a professional
Academic literacy (English for Medicine)
IsiZulu for Medicine
Computers for Medicine

6. MBChB 2 First semester Homeostasis (Respiratory, CVS, Renal)
Second semester
Co-ordination and Control
(GIT, Endocrine, skin genetics)
Each semester has an introductory section of the applied basic sciences and pathologies relevant to the themes with integration across disciplines

7. MBChB 3 First semester Mental Health and neuromuscular problems
Second semester
Reproduction, blood, Infections and HIV
Each semester has an introductory section of the applied basic sciences and pathologies relevant to the themes
with integration across disciplines

8. MBChB 4 First semester Internal Medicine Second semester
General Surgery
Trauma and emergency care
Family Medicine
Obstetrics and gynaecology
Paediatrics

9. MBChB 5 First Semester Adult and Paediatric Medicine Mental Health
Second semester
Principles of Surgery
Obstetrics and gynaecology

10. MBChB 6 Medicine Paediatrics Psychiatry Obstetrics and gynaecology
Surgery
Integrated Family and Public Health Medicine

11. STUDENT SELECTIVES
allows students the opportunity to conduct research in a primary care/rural setting.
supervised by local doctor or nurse
expect to follow-up newly diagnosed HIV/TB patients for 3 years
conduct an analysis of each site in terms of adherence to norms and standards as defined by Alma Ater,
and present a community assessment of the socio- environmental drivers of illness, a health resource mapping of facilities for this community,

12. MONITORING & EVALUATION
Reviewing the curriculum for core content
Evaluating the lecture contents to prevent overload and instruction inappropriate for the level of training
Matching assessment questions to objectives
Avoiding over –assessing ( too frequent assessments)
Assessment committee review has been established
Reviewing functions in the Skills Laboratory – earlier years and the clinical years

13. SUBCOMMITTEES SUPPORTING THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
Selective/Registration/Admissions
Student support and monitoring
Teaching, Learning and Year Co-ordinators
Programmes, Rules, Templates
Assessments, Monitoring, Examinations
DP appeals and exclusions
Selectives/Electives/Clinical Conference/ Outreach

14. NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (GRADE 12) APPLICANTS
Only candidates who sit for the Grade 12 examinations during the year of application will be considered
The candidate must have achieved a minimum of 65% in each of the following subjects:
Mathematics
Physical Science
Life Sciences
English
Must have at least level 4 pass in Life Orientation (legal requirement)

15. NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE (GRADE 12) APPLICANTS cont….
Applicants will be ranked in order of performance based on the following criteria
The arithmetic average of 6 subjects including, Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences and English.
Mathematics paper 3 will not be substituted for Mathematics.

16. Pre-selection
50% of the seats reserved for Grade 12 learners will be allocated based on the marks obtained in the Grade 11 end of year examinations.
The subject criteria will be as defined for ‘Grade 12’s/ Matriculants’above.
75% or greater aggregate in the end of year Grade 11 examinations will be considered for pre-selection.
on academic merit and in compliance with the racial quotas as determined by the Board of the School of Medicine.
Final award of places will be based on the applicant maintaining or exceeding this performance in the final Grade 12 (Matriculation) examination.

17. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine is governed by a SADC agreement to accept applicants from countries without a medical school. Such applications are channeled via their respective Ministries.

18. MATURE STUDENTS
Candidates who have completed the Matriculation/Grade12 examination and exceeding the minimum standards for entry into the MBChB programme as defined above; and have done a year or more of a degree course at a recognised university in South Africa; and achieved outstanding results, will be considered.
The Selection Committee shall consider a variety of courses to enhance the learning environment in the first year class.

19. MBCHB5 & MBCHB6 Admissions by Race & GenderYr
Gender A C I O W
Grand Total
Num %
2007 F 58
30% 5 3% 37
19% 0% 7 4%
107 M 47
24% 4 2% 33
17% 1 1% 3 88
2007 Total
105
54% 9 5% 70
36% 10
195
2008
28% 57
127 48
23% 25
12% 80
2008 Total
106
51% 8 82
40% 11
207
2009 84 54
149 52 24
10% 2
2009 Total
136
59% 78
34%
231
2010 55
26%
117 49
18% 91
2010 Total 96
46% 92
44% 14 7%
208
2011 86
43%
16%
132 60
2011 Total
146
72% 12 6% 41
20%
202
589
56% 42
363
35%
1043