Master of Medical Science (MMedSc)
Overview
The Master of Medical Science (MMedSc) degree is available for medical students who have completed a Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours (BMedSc(Hons)) degree, or to medical graduates.
The degree involves a year of full-time research in any field of medical science, often a clinical discipline, at Masters level. A thesis is submitted. This in-depth study by the medical graduate is often the first step towards a higher degree; e.g. a PhD and a research/academic career.
Regulations for the Degree of Master of Medical Science (MMedSc)
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 must have fulfilled one of the following conditions:
(i) have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science (prior to 2001) or to the degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with Honours;
(ii) have been admitted to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery of a university in New Zealand or hold an equivalent medical qualification approved by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine;
(iii) 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 in a branch of medical science.
(b) The topic of the thesis and the supervisors of the research shall be approved by the Board of the Faculty of Medicine.
(c) The research should be of a kind that a diligent and competent student should complete within one year of full-time study.
3 Duration of the Programme
A candidate shall normally follow a programme of study for the equivalent of not less than one year of full-time study and not more than two years of full-time study. Exceptions shall be permitted only with the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
4 Examination of the Thesis
(a) The thesis shall be assessed by at least two examiners, at least one of whom shall be external to the University.
(b) The candidate's supervisor shall not be an examiner but may make a report on the work of the candidate to the Head of Department concerned.
(c) Each examiner shall supply a written report on the thesis and recommend a mark and grade on the basis of the thesis as submitted, and an overall result selected from the options specified in clause (d) below.
(d) The examiners may recommend that a thesis:
(i) be accepted without amendments;
(ii) be accepted subject to amendments being made at the discretion and to the satisfaction of the Head of Department concerned;
(iii) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, but may be revised and resubmitted for examination;
(iv) does not meet the criteria for the award of the degree, and should be rejected without right of resubmission.
(e) Amendments 4(d)(ii) and revisions 4(d)(iii) shall be completed by a specified date to be determined by the Head of Department concerned.
(f) A candidate shall be permitted to revise and resubmit a thesis for examination once only.
(g) If a revised and resubmitted thesis is finally accepted, the result shall be either Pass or Fail (i.e. ungraded) and without eligibility for the award of the degree with Credit or Distinction.
Note: This provision applies only to students who first enrol for the degree in 2009 or subsequently.
(h) Where examiners cannot agree on a result, the Head of Department concerned should so report to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) or nominee who shall arrive at a decision after consulting a referee who should normally be external to the University.
(i) A candidate may be required to take an oral examination in the field of knowledge in which the thesis lies.
5 Level of Award of the Degree
The degree may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
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.
Further Information
Mr Bruce R. Smith
Faculty Manager
Faculty of Medicine
Email bruce.smith@otago.ac.nz
