Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery

Studying the Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (BMS) offers students a lifetime of opportunities with diverse career options, both in Somalia and internationally. Working in clinical and hospital environments from early on in your studies, students are engaged in exciting real world medical cases and investigative studies from day one through their journey to graduation.

This degree opens up possibilities for numerous careers in the medical profession such as a general practitioner, general surgeon, clinical researcher or other career paths. The BMS provides students with lifelong learning pathways through rewarding, challenging and engaging coursework and the chance to work in an industry that makes a difference to improving human health, wellbeing and lives.

Program Structure:

The BMS degree consists of three major streams reflecting the core elements of medical practice:

• Scientific Basis of Medicine
• Clinical Practice
• Medical Professional and Personal Development.

Scientific Basis of Medicine

• Medical Biology
• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Medical Biochemistry
• Medical Microbiology
• Histology and Embryology
• Medical History and Ethics
• Biostatistics and Medical Informatics

Clinical Practice

• Emergency Medicine
• Family Medicine
• Child and Adolescent Health and Illnesses
• Infectious Diseases
• Dermatological and Venereal Diseases
• Cardiology
• Internal Diseases
• Pulmonary Diseases
• Radiology
• Neurology
• Public Health
• Medical Pharmacology
• Mental Health and Illnesses
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Medical Pathology

Medical Professional and Personal Development

• Anesthesiology and Reanimation
• General Surgery
• Nose and Throat Illnesses
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Child Surgery
• Pathology
• Orthopedics and Traumatology
• Urology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Neurosurgery
• Ophthalmology
• Pulmonary Surgery

A major emphasis is placed on professionalism, communication and clinical reasoning, as well as the practice of evidence-based and preventative medicine.

From the start of the degree, students are introduced to clinical scenarios that provide the basis for learning about the scientific foundation of medicine. The case-based learning (CBL) program in Years 1-3 makes learning enjoyable and challenging with lectures in the medical disciplines carefully staged throughout the CBL cases.

​Students work in small groups, often with surrogate patients who assist the students to enhance their clinical and professional skills. In Year 3, students spend a full day each week in a hospital setting to further develop clinical skills.

Students in Years 4-6 undertake a range of clinical and elective attachments. The elective program is designed to allow students to explore specific areas of interest. The transition from student to intern can be challenging. The final year prepares students for internship through application of the essential clinical and practical skills.

Assessment:

Each year of the degree has a combination of written and clinical assessments, examinations, and competency based assessments and assignments.