Training of Medical Professionals and Research Scientists

MBChB Undergraduate Teaching

The Division actively participates in facilitation of Problem Based Learning for MBChB students, as well as in integrated teaching now adopted by the faculty for senior medical students. Members of the Division have been actively involved in the review of this programme. Teaching activities include lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical’s and computer-based learning. Computer based practicals are now being offered. The Health Sciences Faculty has introduced an intercalated molecular medicine course in the 3rd year of study, to allow students to take a year off between 3rd and 4th year in order to complete a BSc (Hons) degree. The Division has been contributing to the design and teaching of this intercalated course.

BSc (Infectious Diseases & Vaccines) - PTY2001S Undergraduate Teaching

Our division has actively contributed to the design of a new undergraduate program in Infectious Diseases & Vaccines, which will be launched in the Faculty in 2020.  The course aims to introduce students to the burden of infectious disease in South Africa and Africa, foundational epidemiological concepts and public health, including different sources of infection, the modes of transmission and human factors that affect susceptibility to infection. Micro-organisms of importance to human health and disease (including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) will be covered, and how different pathogens establish infection and cause disease, and the different organ systems that are targeted. This will be integrated with an introduction to the human immune system, and the protection against infectious microbes. The prevention and control of infectious disease will be covered, with a focus on vaccines and the immune responses they generate, as well as the South African vaccination schedule, discussing different types of vaccines and how they work, as well as highlighting the gaps. At the end of the course, students will have a multidisciplinary perspective on infectious disease, including both biological and social (historical, political and economic) determinants of health and disease, and contemporary challenges. They will be able to describe the major infectious disease challenges in our context; define and explain concepts in disease control and prevention in the context of public health; describe important micro-organisms and their pathogenesis; be able to demonstrate knowledge of the basic organisation and function of the immune system and how its key features can be manipulated to prevent disease through vaccination.

BSc (Med) (Hons) in Infectious Diseases and Immunology - LAB4004W

The Division of Medical Microbiology plays an active role in the training of BSc (Med) Honours students as part of the Infectious Diseases and Immunology programme. The prerequisite for admission is as stipulated in the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook. Students are trained on a range of molecular techniques, attend various theoretical modules, conduct a research project, write exams and submit a thesis in partial fulfilment for the requirement of the degree.

For more information regarding this Honours programme please refer to the university’s website, or click here.

MMed in Pathology (Microbiology) - MM001LAB23 (Registrar Training)

Our department offers training to registrars specialising in Medical Microbiology, as well as to those studying Clinical Pathology. In addition, we offer 6-month rotations to registrars in Infectious Diseases. Our registrars gain knowledge and experience through daily laboratory bench work and participation in on-call rosters. They also attend regular departmental meetings and journal clubs, as well as ward rounds and clinical meetings.  There is a structured program of tutorials, as well as opportunities to attend specialized short courses offered by the NHLS and NICD. Registrars are required to complete an MMed degree, including a dissertation. Our curriculum is continually updated to comply with the requirements of the College of Medicine of South Africa and the Health Professions Council of South Africa. We provide regular assessments and feedback to registrars in training, and have an excellent success rate in College of Medicine examinations. For more information please refer to the university’s web page here.

MSc (Med) Master of Science in Medicine - MM095

The MSc(Med) programme in the division of Medical Microbiology is by dissertation only. Students usually contact the prospective supervisor and design a research project with a detailed plan and timelines. The student and the supervisor are required to agree on the plan and to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Departmental Research committee for the Department of Pathology has guidelines for the students regarding submissions and review of research proposals.
For the admission requirements to the programme please refer to the university’s web page here. For more information regarding the MSc programme please contact Medical Microbiology or the prospective supervisor on our staff page.

PhD (Med) Doctor of Philosophy - MD001

The PhD(Med) programme in the division of Medical Microbiology is by dissertation only. Students usually contact the prospective supervisor and design a research project with a detailed plan and timelines. The student and the supervisor are required to agree on the plan and to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Departmental Research committee for the Department of Pathology has guidelines for the students regarding submissions and review of research proposals.
For the admission requirements to the programme please refer to the university’s web page here. For more information regarding the PhD programme please contact Medical Microbiology or the prospective supervisor on our staff page.

Medical Scientist Training (Microbiology) – HPCSA Accredited Training Facility

The University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences is an HPCSA accredited, Intern Scientist Training Facility. As such, the Division of Medical Microbiology offers Intern Scientist Training to science graduates with an Honours degree (or higher), in line with an HPCSA approved training program. These internships are 2-year, full-time, paid positions offered by the NHLS. On completion of the training program, Intern Scientists write a final examination and submit a portfolio of evidence to the HPCSA for examination. Successful candidates are then registered with the HPCSA as Medical Biological Scientists, and are able to apply for Medical Scientist positions at clinical diagnostic laboratories. For more information availability of posts please contact the NHLS directly. For information on the training program please contact the HPCSA, or the divisions program coordinator, Dr Clinton Moodley.