PRE-DEGREE/CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION/SCHOOL FEES
Home | Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences
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- Published: 29 August 2013
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences has come a long way since the inception of the College of Health Sciences in 1979. Between 1979 and 1989, the College ran a seven year Medical degree structure in which students in the fourth year had to specialize in Anatomy, Pharmacology or Physiology to gain a Bachelor of Medical Sciences (B. Med. Sc) Degree in any of these subjects, after a Comprehensive Examination. The B. Med. Sc. programme was run in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences within the College. At that time, the late Prof. Alfred Diete-Koki, as Dean, headed the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences.
The B. Med. Sc. programme ended in 1989 and so ended the life of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. The University has benefitted from the products of this programme, many of which have returned to staff the Departments in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and also to serve the University in various capacities. The College now runs the traditional MBBS programme, similar to what is offered in many Universities in the country and the Commonwealth. By the National Universities Commission's Directive, Ref UNC/ES/140N01. 56 of 26th July 1989, each Federal University was requested to, reorganize its administrative structure along the lines of grouping of related Faculties for administrative purposes to form a College.
The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt in February 1999, following the NUC directive created the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, going back to the old system of administration within the College. The newly created Faculties were to be headed by Deans, and the Senate did note that the Deans within the College were by no means less in status than Deans of other Faculties in the University. The College of Health Sciences started with only four Departments in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology.
However the College Board of Health Sciences at its 41st meeting held on Wednesday, 17th March 1999, set up a committee to work out the modalities for the reactivation of the Faculties in the College of Health Sciences. The committee was also charged with the responsibility of determining the composition of the Faculties, vis-a-vis the Departments which makeup the Faculties.
The Committee's Report included the need to increase the number of Departments in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and to include the Division of Pathology which consists of the Departments of Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Hematology, Immunology and Blood Transfusion, and Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, in the Faculty.
This received the approval of Senate and forms the beginning of the new structure of the Faculty as it now stands. The first Dean of the reconstituted Faculty was Professor Nelson Brambaifa who assumed office in February 1999. Professor R. N. P. Nwankwoala held office from 2001 to 2003 followed by Professor (Mrs.) O. O Ebong from 2003 to 2005, Professor B. C. Didia 2006 to 2007, Professor E. B. Dede 2007 to 2009, Professor D. V. Dapper 2009 to 2011. The current Dean is Professor H. B. Fawehinmi
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
The Faculty offers undergraduate programmes in the following:
1. Bachelor of Science in Anatomy {4 years}
2. Bachelor of Science in Physiology {4 years}
The Faculty also provides services for undergraduate training in Applied Basic Medical Sciences for the award of the following Degrees:
A. Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery
B. Bachelor of Dental Surgery
C. Bachelor of Nursing Sciences
D. Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences
E. Bachelor of Science Laboratory Technology
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
a. Prospective candidates for admissions into any of the degree programmes must possess a minimum of five credits in the General Certificate of Education /SSCE including English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, in addition to an acceptably high score at the JME (Joint Matriculation Examination) and post UME for the particular year.
There is no provision for Direct Entry admission into the University of Port Harcourt.
b. Transfers from other faculties of this University are allowed, if candidates meet the requirements set by the Board of Studies and approved by the committee of provost and Deans.
c. Admission to the degree programme may also be after the successful completion of the University of Port Harcourt's School of Basic Studies programme in medicine, Anatomy or Physiology the entry qualifications for which are the same as for the degree programme.
d. Transfers from other Colleges of medicine are subject to availability of vacancy and candidates meet the requirements set by the College Board of Studies for Medicine and approved by Senate. Students usually would have been certified medically fit and in good health by the Health Center of the University of Port Harcourt.
DURATION OF UNDERGRADUATE TRAINING
The period of undergraduate medical studies is six academic years. The B. Sc programme in Anatomy and Physiology usually runs for a period of four years. A maximum period of six years is usually permitted for student to obtain their B. Sc degrees. Students who fail to obtain their degree after the maximum length of time shall be asked to withdraw from the programme.
Exemption:
A candidate may be granted exemption from courses but not from any university or professional examination. Such exemptions must be approved by Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty Board.
