important senate notice - Walter Sisulu University

Electives
The electives or special study modules may be laboratory-based, clinical or research- focused,
and will be selected by students either to strengthen their areas of weakness, or to study in
depth their areas of interest.
Integrated Assessment
The assessment is in line with the way students are taught and also with the way students will
work after completion of the programme. There is both formative and summative assessment
with an emphasis on formative. OSPE/OSCE, MEQ and IPA are the cornerstones of assessment
in our innovative Problem-Based Learning and Community - Based Education Curriculum. The
aim is towards an integrated form of examination at the end of each phase, where multiple
disciplines are examined at the same time, rather than only discipline-based examination.
NB: OSPE = Objective Structured Practical Examination
OSCE = Objective Structured Clinical Examination
MEQ = Modified Essay Questions
IPA = Individualized Process Assessment
MBChB I - PHASE IA
a. Courses will be:
Phase 1 A.1 - Discipline-based:
1. Medical Physics
2. Medical Chemistry
3. Medical Biology
4. Human Behavioural Sciences
5. Communication and Clinical Skills
Phase 1 A.2 - Integrated:
6. Cell Biology, Cell Metabolism
7. Nutrition, GIT, Metabolism
COBES will be integrated in all the courses.
b. Learning of the discipline-based courses will take place in the first half of the year.
c. Phase 1A.1 - Assessment:
The continuous assessment mark will be computed from the tests, practicals,
seminars and assignment completed. Students will be expected to make reports on
the COBES activities done.
d. Examinations will be held in each of the courses.
NB the weighting of :
• HBS will be Psychology 40%, Sociology 25%, Anthropology 25%, Medical
Ethics 10%
• Communication Skills will be English or Xhosa 30%, Computer Skills 30%
Clinical Skills 40%
HEALTH SCIENCES
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