4 year programme                               January or July

The DM Medical Microbiology programme is a four year graduate course which aims to provide the graduate with the knowledge and skills to function as a consultant Medical Microbiologist, equipped for independent practice in hospital-based and stand-alone facilities. Throughout the programme, candidates must hold recognized posts in accredited hospitals or be on an elective approved by the Board for Graduate Studies and Research through the Faculty Committee for Graduate Studies and the Specialty Board.

The programme consists of two parts:

Part I

i. Part I is of two years duration, the focus of which is the understanding of the microbiological basis of infectious diseases. It includes systematic studies of the groups of organism causing diseases in human including virus, bacteria, fungi and parasites. In addition, it seeks to provide students with an understanding of the immunological mechanisms of the host response to infection and to autoimmune disease. A large portion of the training is dedicated to the laboratory diagnosis of microbial infections.

ii. The Part I examination is taken at the end of the second year. Admission to the Part II depends on satisfactory assessments and performance in Part I Examination.

Part II

1. Part II is of two years duration. At the end of this period, provided that the candidate has performed satisfactorily, the Part II Examination will be taken.

2. The focus of Part II is the clinical application of the knowledge gained in Part I and the conduct of a research project. The DM makes the doctor eligible for consultant status in Medical Microbiology and Part II of the course involves clinical consultation in addition to strong laboratory training in management and quality assurance. Clinical training through lectures, laboratory work and consultations will involve among other things, appropriate use of antimicrobial agents, resistance monitoring and antimicrobial policy and guidelines, nosocomial infections and control of hospital infections. The graduate will also have the skills required to conduct independent research.

3. A maximum of one year may be spent in a course of study in an affiliated discipline such as Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Research Methodology, Epidemiology, Teaching Methods, and Medical administration provided that prior approval has been obtained from the Specialty Board in Microbiology.

4. During Part II, rotations through all microbiology subspecialties must be undertaken. These include bacteriology, virology, mycology, immunology, molecular biology and parasitology. Teaching and training in teaching and research methods are integral components of the programme. All trainees should participate in research efforts of department members. 

5. A list of accredited laboratories at which the elective year may be spent is available in the Department. To gain credit for such a period the candidate must submit a satisfactory assessment report from their supervisor.

Assessment

Continuous assessment of the candidate’s performance is carried out by his/her supervisor and recorded and reported every semester. If the assessments are found to be unsatisfactory, the Specialty Board may recommend one or more of the following:

a) Counselling/academic warning in writing

b) Remedial work

c) Repeating the unsatisfactory rotations

d) Withdrawal from the programme, if poor performance persists.

Examination

• Before admission to any examination, candidates must be certified by their supervisors as having completed the relevant parts of the programme.
• Examinations are in two parts, Part I and Part II (DM Medical Microbiology). They are normally held twice per year in May/June and November/December.
• The Part I examination is held at the end of the second year and comprises of written papers, a practical examination and an oral examination. The candidate must pass all components of the examination, that is, the Written papers, the Practical and the Oral to have passed the examination.
• The Part II examination is held at the end of the fourth year and consists of written papers, a practical examination and an oral examination. The candidate must pass all components of the examination, that is, the Written papers, the Practical and the Oral to have passed the examination. 
• Should any candidate fail the Part I or Part II examination at the first attempt, completion of this part must be within one calendar year of the first attempt.
• No student will be allowed more than two attempts at any one examination. Failure after the second attempt will necessitate withdrawal from the programme. Re-admission of candidates will be in accordance with the University regulations for Graduate Diplomas and Degrees. 
• Candidates must conform to the University Regulations on Examinations for Higher Degrees.