Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours (BMedSc(Hons))
Overview
The Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours (BMedSc(Hons)) degree is available to students who have satisfactorily completed three or more years of study towards an MB ChB degree. Most students enrol for the BMedSc(Hons) degree after their third year, but a few do so after their fifth year, prior to their trainee internship.
The degree involves a full-time year of research in a field of medical science (including a thesis) and stands graduates in good stead for a future career involving research or academic medicine.
Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours - BMedSc(Hons)
1 Admission to the Programme
(a) Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) on the advice of the Board of the Faculty of Medicine, which must be satisfied that the applicant has the ability and experience to proceed to the programme.
(b) Every applicant shall have satisfactorily completed three or more years of the programme for the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or have alternative qualifications or experience acceptable to the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.
2 Structure of the Programme
(a) The degree will be awarded upon the submission of a satisfactory thesis embodying the results of a supervised investigation and the successful completion of any prescribed examinations.
(b) The course of study and the topic of the thesis shall be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.
(c) One or two supervisors from members of the academic staff of the University will be appointed by the Faculty Board on the recommendation of the Head of Department concerned.
(d) Candidates for the degree shall be full-time and may not hold any position of emolument or attend any other course without the approval of the Head of Department.
3 Duration of the Programme
The requirements for the degree shall be completed within one year of commencing the programme.
4 Examination
(a) Examination is by thesis and oral examination but a candidate may also be required to take written and/or practical examinations.
(b) At least two examiners shall be appointed by the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. The candidate's supervisors shall not be examiners but may make a report on the work of the candidate for the examiners to consider.
5 Standard of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with First Class Honours, Second Class Honours, or Third Class Honours.
6 Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
Note: An application for admission to the programme is required; this is separate from the enrolment process.
Applications
Applications generally close in mid August but please check with the Faculty Manager, medical.faculty@otago.ac.nz, for the final date each year.
