Master of Science in Physiology
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PHYSIOLOGY
The Master of Science in Physiology is a two-year programme, designed to train medical physiologists with relevant knowledge and skills in research and teaching.
Programme justification
The Master’s programme is intended to produce in-depth specialized personnel in the field of medical physiology, in order to meet the prevailing national and international high demand for professional Physiologists. The world is currently research-driven and so the programme is also designed to produce knowledgeable personnel in carrying out impactful research and publications related to human conditions and aimed at improving life. There is a need for continuity of medical training, due to the increase in the world population and hence more demand for health professionals. The need for trained physiologists is better appreciated when one considers the spread of medical schools across the region and obvious staffing problems in light of increasing student numbers in such schools. There are over 12 medical schools in the country but only 3 of these offer a Master of Science in Physiology. New undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are emerging in the majority of medical schools thereby further increasing the demand for physiologists to train their students.
Career and employment opportunities (for the graduates of the programme)
Specialised physiologists have a variety of opportunities for employment: they are in high demand in Higher educational institutions in Uganda where the number is very limited and therefore the Universities have to request for them outside the country with the purpose of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students offering courses with Physiology. Physiologists are needed too in medical and research institutions with specialised services, to work as members of multidisciplinary teams; and they can also work in agencies concerned with climatic stress and population control. The degree will also lay a foundation for Doctoral studies. Due to the characteristics of Physiology as biomedical science, it is the foundation for the understanding of Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and other specialties, therefore Physiologists will be able to co-supervise research in various areas of the health sciences.
Overall Aim of the Programme
The future Physiology graduate shall be able to master the general and basic phenomena related to all the living systems with a comprehensive approach, and also will understand the specific mechanisms, showing detailed knowledge and understanding from the systemic level to the cellular level reaching the molecular mechanisms implicated in the various functions understudy, to finally be able to comprehensively integrate all functions in the body as a whole.
Specific objectives
- To train physiologists with teaching skills to increase the number of physiology lecturers in the country.
- To train research-oriented physiologists since research is at the core of scientific innovation.
- To establish strong links with other Physiologists the world over in order to foster collaboration.
1.5.5 Innovations
The process of curriculum review has improved the course content and delivery means for courses of teaching skills and Pathophysiology so as to make them better appreciated. Among the aforementioned opportunities for Physiologists in the region, the function of teaching university students both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels is the first and probably the most sought after. Aspects of Pathophysiology have been included since it is relevant to understand the link between normal physiology and disease states which is of critical significance for students enrolled in undergraduate programmes under the Faculty of Medicine as well as for postgraduates enrolled in Master of Medicine programmes.
1.5.6 Programme Duration
The period of study for the MSc. The degree is 2 years (four semesters) on full- time basis. The maximum time allowed shall be 4 years. The MSc. programmer is based on lectures, coursework, practicals, self-learning, and research.
1.5.7 Admission Requirements
The minimum entry requirements shall be
- Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or it’s equivalent with at least 5 passes
- Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent with at least 2 principal passes.
- An honors degree from an accredited degree-awarding institution
- Candidates who have a Pass degree should have at least a Postgraduate Diploma with at least a credit from an accredited degree-awarding institution
Specific requirements shall be
- An honors degree in Medicine and Surgery OR
- An honors degree in Health Sciences or Biological Sciences such as., Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, or Nursing and relevant field experience
2.0 The Curriculum
2.1 Curriculum Structure
YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1 |
|||||||
Course code |
Course name |
Status |
LH |
PH |
TH |
CH |
CU |
PHS 7101 |
General & Renal Physiology |
Core |
30 |
- |
60 |
60 |
4 |
PHS 7102 |
Blood & Cardiovascular Physiology |
Core |
30 |
- |
60 |
60 |
4 |
PHS 7103 |
Physiology Practical I |
Core |
15 |
60 |
- |
45 |
3 |
PHS 7104 |
Basic & Applied Teaching skills |
Core |
40 |
- |
40 |
60 |
4 |
MPH 7101 |
Epidemiology |
Core |
45 |
30 |
- |
60 |
4 |
MPH 7102 |
Biostatistics |
Core |
30 |
42 |
18 |
60 |
4 |
MPH 7103 |
Research Methods and Survey Design |
Core |
45 |
- |
- |
45 |
3 |
Total Credit Units |
26 |
YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2 |
|||||||
Course Code |
Course name |
Status |
LH |
PH |
TH |
CH |
CU |
PHS 7201 |
Digestive System, Nutrition & Metabolism |
Core |
30 |
- |
60 |
60 |
4 |
PHS 7202 |
Endocrinology & Reproduction |
Core |
30 |
- |
60 |
60 |
4 |
PHS 7203 |
Excitable Tissues & Neurophysiology |
Core |
45 |
- |
60 |
75 |
5 |
PHS 7204 |
Respiration, Sports & Environmental Physiology |
Core |
40 |
- |
40 |
60 |
4 |
PHS 7205 |
Physiology Practical II |
Core |
- |
120 |
- |
60 |
4 |
Total Credit Units |
21 |
YEAR 2 SEMESTER 1 |
|||||||
Course code |
Course name |
Status |
LH |
PH |
TH |
CH |
CU |
PHS 8101 |
Research Proposal Writing |
Core |
- |
150 |
- |
75 |
5 |
PHS 8102 |
Pathophysiology |
Core |
15 |
60 |
60 |
75 |
5 |
Total Credit Units |
10 |
YEAR 2 SEMESTER 2 |
|||||||
Course code |
Course name |
Status |
LH |
PH |
TH |
CH |
CU |
PHS 8201 |
Dissertation |
Core |
- |
150 |
- |
75 |
5 |
Total Credit Units |
5 |
- Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or its equivalent with at least 5 passes
- Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) or its equivalent with at least 2 principal passes.
- An Honors degree from an accredited degree awarding institution
- Candidates who have a Pass degree should have at least a Postgraduate Diploma with at least a credit from an accredited degree awarding institution.
Additionally, for international applicants:
- Applicants whose first language or medium of instruction is not English, must provide evidence from a recognized English language training institution that they have sufficient command of English language.
- Applicants should have their documents verified by NCHE.
- Applicants should have their degree certificate and transcript translated and converted into an equivalent of Ugandan Universities’ CGPA
An honors degree in Medicine and Surgery
OR
An honors degree in Health Sciences or Biological Sciences i.e. Human Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry or Nursing and relevant field experience
Code |
PROGRAMME |
DURATION |
UGANDAN STUDENTS |
|
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS |
|
|
|
|
TUITION (SHS.) per Semester |
FUNCTIONAL FEES (SHS.) per year |
TUITION (SHS.) per Semester |
FUNCTIONAL FEES (SHS.) per year |
MMSC |
Master of Science in Physiology |
2 |
1,400,000 |
1,270,000 |
2,800,000 |
2,540,000 |
Other Fees | ||
ITEM | Ugandan | International |
NCHE | 20,000 | USD. 50 |
Smart ID Card | 33,000 | USD. 10 |
Application Fees Undergraduate | 50,000 | USD. 50 |
Application Completion programmes | 80,000 | USD. 50 |
Application Fees Postgraduate | 50,000 | USD. 50 |
Application Fees PHD | 100,000 | USD. 100 |
Certification Fees | 3,000 | |
Graduation Fees | 20,000 | USD. 50 |
Transcript Fees | 25,000 | USD. 50 |
Certificate Fees | 25,000 | USD. 50 |
Partial Transcript | 20,000 | USD. 10 |
Convocation | 10,000 | USD. 50 |
Retake Fees | 30,000 | USD. 10 |
Application Fees for Change of Programme | 10,000 | USD. 10 |
Replacement of Admission Letter | 10,000 | USD. 10 |