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Faculty of Health Sciences

Faculty regulations and information

The rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Regulations (referred to as G.1-G.56) and General Rules apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of all students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations and rules as well as all faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the online yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

1. Selection
A selection process takes place prior to admission to all the degree programmes in the Schools mentioned in the front part of this publication. For some of the undergraduate degree programmes a personal interview is required as part of the selection procedure. The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is compulsory for all applicants applying for admission to an undergraduate degree programme with the exception of the Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice and students with previous tertiary exposure.

2. National Benchmark Test (NBT)
The National Benchmark Test is compulsory for applicants who are currently in Grade 12 or who have already completed Grade 12 and who wish to apply for admission to any field of study, with the exception of the Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice as well as students with previous tertiary exposure, in the Faculty of Health Sciences. Applicants who fail to write this test will not be considered for selection. Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics are tested and applicants cannot specially prepare for the test. The test results will be used in addition to the Grade 12 marks for provisional selection and will not replace the Grade 12 marks.

3. Requirements for admission to specific modules
A student who has

1. obtained at least 50% in the final Grade 12 examination in Mathematics as well as in Physical Science, will be admitted to Molecular and cell biology (MLB 111), and a module in the subjects Chemistry, Physics, Zoology and Entomology, Genetics, Microbiology or Botany;
2. obtained at least 50% in the final Grade 12 examination in Mathematics as well as in Physical Science, will be admitted to a module in Radiation Physics (RFI);
3. obtained at least 50% in the final Grade 12 examination in either Physical Science or Life Sciences, will be admitted to modules in Occupational Therapy and Therapeutic Media;
4. obtained at least 60% in the final Grade 12 examination in Mathematics, will be admitted to the module WTW 158 in Mathematics; and
5. obtained at least 50% in the final Grade 12 examination in Mathematics, will be admitted to the module WTW 134 in Mathematics.

4. Academic Literacy Test
All new undergraduate students who register in the School of Dentistry and the School of Medicine will be required to write an academic literacy test. On the grounds of this test, students will be required to follow compulsory academic literacy modules (ELH 111 and 112 for students of Dentistry and Medicine, and ELH 131 and 132 for students of Clinical Medical Practice), which they must pass as one of the requirements for obtaining their degree.

Undergraduate students who register in the School of Healthcare Sciences will not be required to write the academic literacy test. The academic literacy modules ELH 121 and ELH 122 are compulsory for all students, and a pass mark for each of these modules is a requirement for obtaining their degree.

5. Academic information management
It is required of all new first-year students at the University of Pretoria to complete the module AIM 101 Academic information management. Details of this module can be found in the Course Catalog.

6. Subminimum in examination papers
Where applicable, the subminimum required in examinations appears in the regulations of the degree/diploma in question and in the syllabi of the modules in question.

With regard to MBChB:
A subminimum may be required in each module or practical component from which a specific block is compiled, in order to pass in the block in question.

7. Examinations
The examinations in first-semester modules take place in May/June, while all other examinations (second semester modules, year modules and blocks of the MBChB degree programme) take place in October/November.

8. Ancillary examinations
After conclusion of an examination and before examination results are announced, the examiners may summon a student for an ancillary examination on particular aspects of a module.

Details in respect of a School’s requirements for ancillary examinations are published in the study guide of a given block.

9. Extraordinary examinations (including aegrotats)
Subject to the stipulations of the General Regulations, the period during which an extraordinary examination will take place in the School of Medicine, will be determined by the lecturer concerned, in consultation with the relevant head of department or block chairperson, provided that the examination in a block should take place during the second examination period, if possible.

If an examination consists of more than one evaluation modality, the examination as a whole must be repeated, even if part thereof has already been completed.

10. Re-marking of examination scripts
In accordance with the stipulations of the General Regulations, departments give feedback to students after an examination on the framework used by the examiners during the examination. The way in which feedback is given, is determined by the relevant head of department. Students may, after perusal, and in the case of MBChB students, after the examination period (which includes the examination and the second examination), within 14 calendar days after commencement of the lectures in the next semester, and after payment of the prescribed fee, apply for the re-marking of an examination script, by an examiner (in the case of MBChB study an external examiner from outside of the University) appointed by the relevant head of department.

The School of Medicine furthermore defines the relevant regulation as follows:
(i) A student has the right of perusal of his or her examination script before applying for the re-marking of the examination script.

The following is determined by perusal of the script:

• Whether all the answers have been marked.
• Whether the marks awarded, have been calculated correctly.
• Whether the student did in fact answer all the questions.

(ii) During perusal, the student, the lecturer as well as a third person must be present.

If a discussion about the content of the answers in the script develops, the student must be referred to the administration of the School in question, where he or she applies for the re-marking of the examination script.

11.  Second examination opportunity

1.  A student may be admitted to a second examination in a module in the following instances [excepting specific faculty requirements in respect of second examinations in specific blocks for the first to the fifth year of study for the MBChB degree and the first and second year of study for BChD:

1. If a final mark of between 40% and 49% has been obtained.
2. If a pass mark has been obtained but not the required subminimum of 40% in the examination as a whole; or
3. If a pass mark has been obtained but not the required subminimum in subsections of the module.

2.  A student must obtain a minimum of 50% in the second examination to pass.
3.  The semester/year/continuous evaluation mark is taken into account only if a student did not obtain at least 50% in the second examination of a first-semester module at 100 level.
4.  The highest final mark (pass mark) that can be awarded to a student for a second examination, is 50%.

12. Promotion
In certain departments, students can be promoted to a next semester or level of a subject without writing the prescribed examination, provided that their preparation is satisfactory and a continuous evaluation mark of at least 65% has been obtained.

Departments where promotion as prescribed above is possible, will inform students in good time in this regard.

Note:
Students obtain credit for a promoted module only after they have passed an examination in a consecutive module or modules of the subject in question at this University.
Promotion as described above, does not refer to the option that medical students may exercise to have the block mark at the end of the year, validated as the final block mark for a relevant block (i.e. to be exempted from the block examination in the block), provided, inter alia, that a block mark of at least 60% has been obtained in the block in question.

13. The examination moderating meeting
13.1 Students in Year 1 - 3:

1. Students obtain class test, practical and block test marks in respect of each block and special activity (which are disclosed to students). These marks are processed into a block mark (which is not disclosed to students). Each block chairperson publishes a list of the registration numbers of students who have to sit the semester examination in his or her block. The block marks are submitted to Student Administration. Students with examination exemption, who nevertheless prefer to sit the block examination, may do so, but will then have to accept the final block mark (which is calculated from the block mark and the examination mark), even if it is less than the (original) block mark.
2. The final block mark of the students who have to sit the examination, is only determined at the end of the block examination, from the contributions of the block mark and the examination mark. This final block mark will reflect the real mark obtained. The EMM (Examination Moderating Meeting) now takes place with the following objectives:

• Identification of the students who pass;
• Identification of the students who fail and as a result, have to follow the remedial programme and sit the second block examination;
• Identification of students who did not obtain the required subminimum.
• Validation of the block marks of the students who have been exempted from the examination, as the final block marks for the blocks in question; and
• Identification of students who need study assistance.

3. Students who fail the examination, must follow the remedial opportunity where applicable and the need for a specific remedial action will be defined at the examination moderating meeting. Such students must sit the second block examination at the end of the second semester. Only the second block examination mark will count and the maximum that can be obtained is "50H".
4. The performance of the students who have written the second examination, will be discussed at the second EMM, with the following objectives:

• Identification of the students who pass; and
• Identification of the students who fail. In terms of the MBChB selection criteria, first- and second-year students who fail, must apply again for selection.

13.2 Students in Year 4 and the first half of Year 5: MBChB

1. During the blocks and special activities, students write the class tests as well as the block test. These marks are announced by the block chairperson.
2. Students also do morning rotations, each of which is evaluated. There are eight morning rotations in Year 4, and four in the first half of Year 5. These rotation marks are announced by the relevant departments.
3. The block mark is calculated from the different test marks, marks awarded for practical work and assignments, as well as the rotation(s) coupled to the specific block. In Year 4, this mark can only be calculated in middle September and in Year 5, only in middle May. These marks are not disclosed to students. A list of the registration numbers of students, who have not obtained examination exemption, is placed on the notice board by the block chairperson. These students are obliged to write the block examination. The block marks are submitted to Student Administration.

Students who nevertheless choose to write the examination, even though they have been exempted from it, may do so, but will have to accept the final block mark, even if it is lower than the (original) block mark.

4. The final block mark of the students who sit the examination is only calculated at the end of the block examination, from the contributions from the block mark and the examination mark. This final block mark will reflect the real mark obtained. An EMM is now being held, with the following objectives:

• Identification of the students who pass;
• Identification of the students who fail and resultantly have to follow the remedial programme and sit the second block examination;
• Validation of the block marks of the students with examination exemption, as their final block marks; and
• Identification of the students who need study assistance.

5. Students who fail the examination, must follow the remedial programme and sit the second block examination, which will take place at the end of the second semester in Year 4, and at the beginning of the second semester in Year 5. Only the second block examination mark will count and a maximum of “50H” can be obtained.
6. Students who sit the second examination, are discussed at the second EMM, with the following objectives:

• Identification of the students who pass; and
• Identification of the students who fail.

13.3 Student Interns: MBChB
13.3.1 All students

(i) At the conclusion of each seven-week rotation, an end-of-rotation evaluation (EORE) takes place in the different departments. The aim with the EORE is the identification of those students who obtain examination exemption (semester examination) and those who are not exempted and will have to sit the examination at the end of the semester. All EOREs are supported by external examiners.
(ii) The same process takes place in rotations with a duration of 3,5 weeks.
(iii) No marks are disclosed to students, only the names and/or registration numbers of the students who must sit the semester examination.
(iv) After conclusion of the semester examination (which extends over three days on dates determined beforehand), an EMM is held, with the following objectives:

Validation of the rotation marks as the semester examination mark, of the students who have obtained examination exemption. The rotation mark and the EORE mark contribute to the final mark.
Identification of the students who have passed the semester examination. The rotation mark and the semester examination mark contribute to the final mark;
Identification of the students who have failed the semester examination. These students are referred to Student Administration, as a new rotation division must now be followed; and
Identification of the students who need study assistance.

13.4 Students who repeat rotations: MBChB

1. Students who repeat rotations, do the EORE at the conclusion of the rotation that has been repeated. The objective is to obtain a pass mark. The continuous evaluation marks and the EORE mark contribute to the final mark.
2. On the first Wednesday after the conclusion of the rotation, an EMM takes place at 13:00 (or a different timeslot as arranged), to evaluate the achievement of the students, who have repeated the rotation. The objectives of this EMM are:

• Identification of the students who pass the rotation that has been repeated (final mark of 50% or more) (maximum indicated on the form is "50H");
• Identification of the students who fail the rotation that has been repeated. These students are referred to Student Administration, as a new rotation division must now be followed; and
• Identification of the students who need study assistance.

3. The achievement of the students who have repeated a 3,5 week rotation, is discussed at the same EMM.

13.5 Students who are "finalists" at another time than the end of the sixth year of study: MBChB
13.5.1 Students who repeated previous rotations successfully, and who are now “finalists”, but will be doing the current rotation for the first time:

1. These students do the EORE just like all other students do, the objective being, as in the case with other students, to identify those who do or do not obtain, exemption from the semester examination.
2. Students who obtain examination exemption after the conclusion of the EORE, thus pass the rotation automatically.
3. Students who do not obtain exemption from the semester examination after the conclusion of the EORE, must therefore sit the examination at the end of the relevant semester.
4. In keeping with UP regulations, these students, who are completing their studies (“finalists”), who have only one course (rotation) to complete in order to comply with all the requirements for the MBChB degree, and who have not obtained examination exemption, may apply to sit a "special examination" the following week (at a time earlier than the semester examination where applicable). This examination (which will take place at an earlier time), must preferably be scheduled for the Monday or Tuesday of the following week. The department determines the format and due to the fact that the student has already been through the external evaluation process, the presence of an external examiner at the special examination is optional, although recommended. The final mark comprises the examination mark and must be 50% or more to pass. The marks must be available by the Wednesday in order that these students' marks can be submitted to the EMM, which will be held on that day.
5. The objectives of the EMM for this category of students are:

• Identification of the students who have passed the special examination. These students complete the programme, and a special mini oath-taking ceremony is arranged for them; and
• Identification of the students who have failed the special examination. These students fail the course, must repeat the relevant rotation and must therefore be referred to Student Administration.

13.6 Students who are "finalists", but who are repeating the current rotation (all circumstances – previously, or at a recent EMM, identified as having failed): MBChB

1. These students do the EORE as all other students. The objective is to obtain a pass mark. The continuous evaluation marks and the EORE mark contribute to the rotation mark, which, in this case, is also the final mark. The mark must be 50% or more, but the maximum that will be indicated on the form, is “50H”.
2. On the first Wednesday after the conclusion of the rotation, an EMM will be held at 13:00 (or another time slot as arranged), to evaluate the achievement of these students who are repeating the current rotation. The objectives of this EMM are:

• Identification of the students who have passed the EORE/examination. These students thus complete the MBChB degree programme and a mini oath-taking ceremony will be arranged for them; and
• Identification of the students who have failed the EORE/examination. These students thus fail the rotation, must repeat the relevant rotation and must therefore be referred to Student Administration.

3. Students in this category, who are only repeating a 3,5 week rotation, will follow the exact same route, but a unique EMM will be arranged shortly after completion of the EORE/examination. The same objectives will apply.

Special refresher course for medical practitioners

A one-week course for medical practitioners is presented annually by the School of Medicine with clinical presentations by various departments in the afternoons and evenings. The School also offers an annual intensive two-day course in one main field of study.

A medical practitioner who wishes to update his or her knowledge, may register as a special postgraduate student in the School of Medicine (Medicine Special). He or she will then have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and discussions and to participate in work as determined by the head of the relevant department.

Visiting postgraduate students (Code 10290001)
A medical practitioner or specialist physician may apply to register as a postgraduate visiting student for non-examination purposes for a period/s of one month or longer as preferred, during which period he or she may work in a department of his/her choice. The nature of this work will be determined by each head of department. Periods of time completed in this way, will not be recognised as periods of formal training for the purposes of specialisation.

Medicine Special (Undergraduate)
Individual modules – not for degree purposes.

Medicine Special (Postgraduate) (Code 10280001)
Registration as a postgraduate candidate with a view to complete examinations in prerequisite subjects for MMed (with approval of the Chairperson of the School and heads of departments in question), until such time as a registrarship becomes available. Neither the University of Pretoria nor the province is under any obligation whatsoever, to appoint such a student as a registrar or to give him or her precedence over other candidates to be appointed.