Time Period:
From the beginning of 200L to the end of the 2nd Professional examinations. This lasts approximately thirty (30) months and the sequence of progression is shown in Appendix A. The first part of the programme lasts approximately eighteen (18) months, culminating in the first professional examinations after courses have been audited in the Departments of Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology.
In the second part, courses are taken in the following departments:

Section A:

Anatomy
This discipline essentially deals with the gross and microscopic structure of various cells, tissues and organs that make up the human body. The physical relationships in space between tissues and organs will be explored. Also, the development of the fetus and the various body parts of the human body will be taught in a special module called Embryology.

Apart from didactic lectures, your education will also come from hands-on experience in dissecting human cadavers.

Medical Biochemistry
As the name suggests, the courses audited in this department will deal essentially with the chemical nature of the human being. Core themes will include but are not limited to the chemical nature of food substances and their fate within the human body. <br The various chemical reactions that sustain life as well as chemical and biologic agents like enzymes and hormones will be emphasized.

Instructions will be passed on through didactic lectures and practical sessions in the laboratory.

Physiology
This discipline essentially deals with the functions of various components of the human body – cells, tissues, organs and systems. There are strong relationships between Physiology and Biochemistry which was once a part of it. Physiology and Anatomy are also intimately related as one deals with function and the other, with structure.

Teaching will be done through didactic lectures and practical sessions in the laboratory.

Courses in the above three departments will culminate in the First Professional Examinations after about eighteen (18) months of instruction. Failure of the examination in all three departments will lead to loss of one academic session and repetition of the class. Candidates who fail in one or two departments will be allowed re-write the examination in the subject(s). Failure in the re-sit examination will lead to loss of one academic session and repetition of the class in all three subject areas.

There will be in-course assessments at intervals determined by individual departments. Please take the in-course examinations very seriously because they contribute to 30% of the final score in the Professional Examinations as Continuous Assessment.

Section B
The second phase of training in Basic Medical Sciences commences following success in the First Professional Examination. It lasts for approximately twelve (12) months.

Pharmacology
The central theme of the subject is the interaction between the human body and chemical agents called drugs. The drugs used for treating various ailments, their mode of administration, mode and locus of action as well as undesirable effects will be treated. Teaching sessions will comprise didactic lectures and practical sessions.

The Pathology Sciences are taught in four different departments. They are related by the fact that they deal with the various disease that afflict the human body but from different points of view.

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
This discipline deals with disease processes at cellular level. In other words, the subject deals with changes that occur in the structure and function of human cells and tissues in the presence of disease. In this sense, it can be seen as “Anatomy and Physiology in disease”. It is divided into two sections – General Pathology which covers the basic processes underlying disease and Systemic Pathology which deals with diseases as they affect different body systems.

Forensic Medicine is the enquiry component of the department. It answers questions on cause of death whether of criminal or of natural causes. Students going through the department will receive didactic lectures, participate in practical classes and attend autopsy sessions.

Haematology and Blood transfusion
Courses in the department cover diseases of the formed elements and fluid component of blood, blood forming tissues/organs and related structures. The department also teaches courses in malignant diseases (cancer) and the study of the body’s defence mechanisms against foreign invasion (Immunology). Instructions will be passed through didactic lectures and practical sessions.

Medical Microbiology and Parasitology
As the name suggests, students going through the department will audit courses in microbes of various nature – bacteria, viruses, fungi etc. Larger parasites of importance to human disease will also be studied in detail. Instructions will be passed through didactic lectures and practical sessions.

Chemical Pathology
The discipline deals with deranged function of body chemistry. In a sense, it is a reflection of what happens to normal human biochemistry in the presence of disease. Instructions will be passed through didactic lectures and practical sessions.

Courses in the above five departments will culminate in the First Professional Examinations after about eighteen (18) months of instruction. Failure of the examination in three or more departments will lead to loss of one academic session and repetition of the class in all five subject areas. Candidates who fail in one or two departments will be allowed re-write the
examination in the subject(s). Failure in the re-sit examination will lead to loss of one academic session and repetition of the class in all five subject areas.

Other Courses Taken From 200L TO 400L