Postgraduate Diploma
in Medical Toxicology
The Postgraduate Diploma programme in Medical Toxicology aims to train you, as an appropriately qualified scientist, in the field of medical toxicology. The curriculum covers the most important areas of medical toxicology and will help broaden your knowledge as a health care professional.
Medical Toxicology is a field of medicine dedicated to the evaluation and treatment of poisoned and envenoming patients. It is a scientific area with a growing demand in academia as well as the private and public health sector.
There is an increasing interest of medical doctors, pharmacists and other healthcare providers to gain more knowledge in this field. This programme in toxicology would therefore cater for a training need for the country as a whole and for Africa in general. Currently there is a shortage of trained staff with knowledge of poisonings, especially of poisoning with chemicals that is unique to the African continent.
After completing the course, you will:
- have the practical skills to diagnose and manage patients exposed to poisonous chemicals;
- be able to work in medical facilities where you can assist in managing poisoned patients;
- be able to advise other health care professionals on the diagnosis and management of poisoned patients.
What can you expect to learn?
Module 1: Introduction to Toxicology 14182775
Contact time: 1 week in January 2022:
Contact sessions via MS TEAMS platform.
Thereafter – 3 hrs / week contact session x 12 weeks (36hr) (virtual)
Compulsory – Theoretical – Credits: 24
Assessment:
Module 1 calculation of marks:
| Type of assessment | Number of assessments | Total module mark |
| Online quizzes |
Students must complete 12 quizzes and each quiz’s point carries equal weight. |
20% |
| Written assignment | 2 written tasks and each carries equal weight | 20% |
| Reflection in e-portfolio | 12 reflections, 1 per week | 10% |
| Written examination | MCQ and short questions | 50% |
Module 2: Poisoning management and prevention 14183-775
Contact time: week January: contact sessions via MS TEAMS platform.
thereafter – 3 hrs / week contact session x 12 weeks (36hr) (virtual)
Compulsory – Theoretical – Credits: 24
Assessment:
Module 2 calculation of marks:
| Type of assessment | Number of assessments | Total module mark |
| Online quizzes |
Students must complete 12 quizzes and each. |
20% |
| Written assignment | 2 written tasks and each carries equal weight | 20% |
| Reflection in e-portfolio | 12 reflections, 1 per week | 10% |
| Written examination | MCQ and short questions | 50% |
Module 3: Poisoning with Pharmaceuticals 14185775
Contact time: week January: contact sessions via MS TEAMS platform
Thereafter – 3 hrs / week contact session x 12 weeks (36hr) virtual plus:
practical workplace experience -16 hrs at a trauma unit or similar entity.
Compulsory – Theoretical / practical – Credits: 24
Assessment:
Module 3 calculation of marks
| Type of assessment | Number of assessments | Total module mark |
| Online quizzes | Students must complete 12 quizzes and each quiz’s point carries equal weight. | 20% |
| Written assignment | 2 written tasks | 20% |
| Reflection in e-portfolio | 1 reflection for the complete module | 10% |
| Written examination | MCQ and short questions | 50% |
Module 4: Poisoning with Non-drug Chemicals 14186775
Contact time: week January: contact sessions via MS TEAMS platform
Thereafter – 3 hrs / week contact session x 12 weeks (36hr) virtual
practical workplace experience 8 hrs at a trauma unit or similar entity
Compulsory – Theoretical – practical – Credits: 24
Assessment:
Module 4 calculation of marks
| Type of assessment | Number of assessments | Total module mark |
| Online quizzes | Students must complete 12 quizzes and each quiz’s point carries equal weight. | 20% |
| Written assignment | 2 written tasks | 20% |
| Reflection in e-portfolio | 1 reflection for the complete module | 10% |
| Written examination | MCQ and short questions | 50% |
Module 5: Poisoning with Biological Toxins 14187775
Contact time: contact sessions in 2nd year (2023): face to face at Tygerberg campus
Thereafter – 3 hrs / week contact session x 12 weeks (36hr) virtual
practical workplace experience 8 hrs at a trauma unit or similar entity
Compulsory – Theoretical / practical – Credits: 24
Assessment:
Module 5 calculation of marks
| Type of assessment | Number of assessments | Total module mark |
| Online quizzes | Students must complete 12 quizzes and each quiz’s point carries equal weight. | 20% |
| Written assignment | 1 written task | 10% |
| Reflection/ assignment in e-portfolio | 1 reflection for the complete module | 30% |
| Oral Examination | 40% |
Fully Accredited
Apply now for 2023
Enquiries:
Programme Coordinator & Chair
Ms Carine Marks
BSc Pharm, Hons (Pharmacology); MSc (Toxicology), MPhil HPE
carinem@sun.ac.za
+27 21 938 9334
Co-Chair
Mrs Arina Du Plessis
BSC, MSc (Toxicology)
aced@sun.ac.za
+27 21 938 9596
Postgraduate Coordinator
Mrs M Harck
mji@sun.ac.za
+27 21 938 9296
Admission and selection criteria
- A bachelor’s degree (e.g. MBChB, BPharm or BNurs) or another relevant qualification on at least NQF level 7.
- If you are an international student who did not use English as medium of instruction for your undergraduate studies, you may be required to provide evidence of your oral and academic writing proficiency in English.
Application procedure and closing date
Apply online at www.maties.com by 30 September of the previous year. Applications for prospective international students close on 31 August.
View the brochure here
Presentation:
The programme is offered by means of blended learning and includes e-learning, guided self-study, assignments, homework tasks and e-portfolios for integrated reflection, as well as formal lecture weeks.
Duration
The programme extends over two years.
NQF Level 08 | 120 credits | HPCSA (CPD) accredited
Programme content
You must complete all five modules listed below.
- Introduction to Toxicology
- Poisoning Management and Prevention
- Poisoning with Biological Toxins
- Poisoning with Non-drug Chemicals
- Poisoning with Pharmaceuticals