Everyone can agree that medicine courses are one of the most marketable courses in Kenya. This is because government hospitals, private hospitals, and NGOs are always on the lookout for graduates in this field.
In this article, I will explore the qualifications, joining instructions, cut-off points, fee structure, and lastly course units for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Kenyatta University.
This course, commonly abbreviated as MBChB, is offered at Kenyatta University’s prestigious School of Medicine.
For those who may not be familiar with this jargon, MBChB stands for Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae – in Latin to represent the course that incorporates both General medicine and surgery.
The course equips one with medical, and clinical research skills for pursuing an exciting profession in any of the medical fields as surgeons, pediatricians, pathologists, radiologists, and family medicine practitioners.
Course Requirements and Qualifications for MBChB in Kenyatta University
- The student must meet the minimum University entrance requirement of C+ in KCSE
- In Addition, the Student must score at least a B (Plain) in Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/Physics, and English/Kiswahili.
- Holders of a Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery from recognized Medical Training Institutions are eligible. But they need to be registered as Clinical Officers and have scored at least a C+ at the KCSE level.
- Holders of a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Biology, Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing, and Pharmacy or Clinical Medicine.
Cut Off Points
For those joining through Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), the following are the cut off points for the past few years:
2016 – 44.547
2017 – 42.725
2018 – 43.639
2019 – 44.609
2020 – 44.937
2021 – undefined
Fee Structure of the School of Medicine at Kenyatta University
The amount of Fees depend on the mode of study:
Fee structure for KUCCPS Students
Fee Structure for Self-Sponsored Students
Course Duration
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBChB) is a full-time program to takes six academic years of three trimesters each.
During this period, a student is expected to take and pass all the units in this course.
Modes of learning vary a lot but the most common ones are lectures, practicum, rotations and clinical instruction, field courses, and combined community health attachments where applicable.
The examination is marked out of 100%, and the grades are distributed as follows:
A – 75% -100% – Distinction
B – 65% to 74% – Credits
C – 50% to 64% – Pass
E – 49 and below – Fail
Unit to be Taken in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery [MBChB] at Kenyatta University
YEAR ONE
Semester One
UCU 103: Introduction to Critical and Creative Thinking
HCH 100: Behavioural Sciences, Medical Education and Ethics
HMA 100: Introduction to human anatomy
HMA 101: Anatomy of gluteal region, hip joint and the thigh
HMA 102: Anatomy of the leg and the knee joint
HMA 103: Anatomy of the ankle joint and foot
HMA 104: Anatomy of the pectoral region, shoulder, and arm
HMA 105: Anatomy of the forearm and hand
HMB 100: Introduction to Medical Biochemistry
HMB 101: Biomolecules
HMP 100: Introduction to Medical Physiology
Semester Two
HCH 101: Medical Anthropology and Sociology
HMA 106: Anatomy of the Head and neck region
HMA 107: Neuroanatomy
HMA 108: Organization of larynx and phonation
HMA 109: The thoracic wall and mechanisms of breathing
HMA 110: Anatomy of the mediastinum
HMA 111: The abdominal cavity and viscera
HMA 112: The Gastrointestinal Tract and the pancreas
HMB 102: Enzymology
HMB 103: Metabolism: Basic Concept And Design
HMP 101: Membrane and Excitable tissue physiology
HMP 102: Physiology of Circulating Body Fluids
HMP 103: Physiology of the Heart
Semester Three
HCH 102: Social Work and Community Development
HMA 113: Anatomy of the Biliary System
HMA 114: Anatomy of the intestinal tracts
HMA 115: The urinary system and kidneys
HMA 116: The ureters, bladder, and the urethra
HMA 117: The male reproductive system
HMA 118: The female reproductive system
HMA 119: The perineum and pelvis
HMB 104: Carbohydrate Metabolism
HMB 105: Lipid Metabolism
HMB 106: Protein Metabolism
HMP 104: Physiology of Vascular system
HMP 105: Physiology of special circulation
YEAR TWO
Semester One
HCH 200: Medical Statistics
HMB 200: Special Metabolism Of Amino Acids
HMB 201: Nucleic Acid Metabolism
HMB 202: Biochemical Genetics
HMP 200: Respiratory Physiology: Mechanics of Respiration
HMP 201: Transport of gasses and respiratory control
HMP 202: Physiology of Endocrine system & metabolism
HPA 200: General Pathology I
HPA 201: Basics of Immunology
HPA 202: Introduction to Medical Microbiology
HPA 203: Pathogenic Bacteria
HPA 204: Introduction to Medical Parasitology
HPA 205: General Pathology II
Semester Two
HCH 201: Medical Demography
HMB 203: Biochemical Endocrinology
HMB 204: Biochemistry Of Hemoglobin
HMB 205: Biochemistry Of Vitamins
HMG 200: Human Genetics
HMP 203: Physiology of Reproduction
HMP 204: Peripheral Nervous Physiology
HMP 205: Motor System and Equilibrium Physiology
HPA 206: Cellular & Immunoglobulin interaction in Immunology
HPA 207: Immunity and Immunopathology of infections
HPA 208: Clinical Bacteriology
HPA 209: Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology
HPA 210: Medical Protozoology
HPA 211: Medical Entomology
Semester Three
HCH 202: Health Services Management
HIP 200: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology
HMB 206: Biochemistry of Specialised Tissues
HMB 207: Biochemistry of Micro-Organisms
HMB 208: Special Topics in Biochemistry
HMP 206: Physiology of Special Senses
HMP 207: Physiology of Higher Cerebral functions
HMP 208: Gastrointestinal and Autonomic nervous system Physiology
HMP 209: Renal Physiology & Body fluid Homeostasis
HPA 212: Clinical Immunology
HPA 213: Introduction to Medical Virology
HPA 214: Pathogenic Viruses
HPA 215: Medical Helminthology
YEAR THREE
Semester One
HPA 300: Pathology of the Heart, Blood Vessels, and Lymphatics
HPA 301: Basics of Chemical Pathology HPA 302: Introduction to Haematology
HPA 303: Introduction to Histopathology and Cytology
HPA 304: Pathology of Urinary Tract and the Genital System
HPA 305: Pathology of the Respiratory System
HPA 306: Neoplastic Disorders
HPA 307: Histopathology and Cytology of Internal Organs
HPA 308: Toxicology And Forensic Chemical Pathology
HPA 309: Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract
HPA 310: Haemostasis
HPA 311: Pathology of Skeletal and Soft Tissue
HPA 312: Blood Transfusion
HPA 313: Neuropathology
HPA 314: Pathology of the Skin and Breast
HPA 315: Forensic Pathology
Semester Three
HIP 303: Antibiotics
HIP 304: Antimicrobial Agents
HIP 305: Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs
HIP 306: Drugs acting on the Central Nervous System
HIP 307: Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Drugs
HIP 308: Metabolic and Endocrine Drugs
HIP 309: Hematology, Immunology and Cytotoxic Drugs
HPS 300: Psychiatric Evaluation and Classification
HPS 301: Acute Stress and Mood Disorders
HPS 302: Schizophrenia and Related Disorders
PIM 300: Infectious diseases
PIM 301: Introduction to Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Tract Diseases
PIM 302: Introduction to Renal and Cardiac Diseases
PIM 303: Junior Clerkship in Internal Medicine and Psychiatry
YEAR FOUR
Semester One
HPD 400: Infections in children
HPD 401: Neonatology
HPD 402: Growth, Development, Nutrition requirements and Related Disorders
HPD 403: Respiratory disorders in children HPD 404: Child and Adolescence health.
HPD 405: Disorders of the gastrointestinal systems in children
HPD 406: Disorders of the cardiovascular and renal system in children
HPD 407: Neuromuscular Disorders in children
HPD 408: Pediatric Hematology and Oncological disorders
HPD 409: Homeostatic, metabolic, and endocrine disorders
HPD 410: Pediatric emergencies and child abuse
HPD 411: Dermatologic and allergic disorders in children
HPD 412: Clerkship in Pediatrics and Child Health (Equivalent to 4 units)
Semester Two
HRH 400: Overview of obstetrics and physiology of pregnancy
HRH 401: Antepartum management, normal labor, and delivery
HRH 402: Abnormal labor and operative obstetrics
HRH 403: Common complications of pregnancy
HRH 404: Disorders of the placenta and fetal membranes
HRH 405: Medical and surgical complications in pregnancy
HRH 406: Obstetric Anatomy Reproductive physiology
HRH 407: Acquired and inherited gynecological disorders
HRH 408: Reproductive tract infections
HRH 409: Gynecological malignancy
HRH 410: Infertility and abortion management
HRH 411: Contraception and sterilization
HRH 412: Gynecological operations
HRH 413: Techniques used to assess fetal health
Semester Three
HCH 400: Community Health
HCH 401: Fundamentals of Environmental Health
HCH 402: Foundations of Epidemiology
HCH 403: Research Methods
HCH 404: Health Information Management
HCH 405: Community Health fieldwork (Equivalent to 5 units)
HCH 406: Disaster Management
HCH 407: Health Economics and Health Care Financing
YEAR FIVE
Semester One
HMS 500: Introduction to Radiology and Imaging
HMS 501: Techniques in Radiology and Imaging
HMS 502: Dental Health
HMS 503: Dental Therapeutics
HMS 504: Basics of Anaesthesia
HMS 505: Principles of Anaesthesia
HMS 506: Principles and practice of Paediatric Surgery
HMS 507: Clerkship in Paediatric Surgery
HMS 508: Ophthalmology I HMS 509: Ophthalmology II
HMS 510: Head and Neck Surgery
HMS 511: ENT
PIM 500: Nursing Skills and current trends in medicine
Semester Two
UCU104: Introduction to entrepreneurship
HPS 500: Forensic Psychiatry
PIM 501: Dermatology
PIM 502: Dermatology and Sexuality
PIM 503: Management of HIV and AIDS
PIM 504: Forensic Medicine
PIM 505: Introduction to Complementary and Alternative Systems of Medicine
PIM 506: Natural Medicines
PIM 507: Integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine into National Health Care
Semester Three
Elective Term
YEAR SIX
Semester One
HMS 600: Principles and Practice of Surgery
HMS 601: Upper Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgery
HMS 602: Orthopaedic Evaluation and General Fracture Management
HMS 603: Lower Gastrointestinal and Breast Surgery
HMS 604: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
HMS 605: Congenital and General Orthopaedics
HMS 606: Urology and Neurosurgery
HMS 607: Surgical Skills in Orthopaedics and Trauma, Arthroplasty and Prosthetics
HMS 608: Specialized Techniques Radiology and Imaging
HMS 609: Senior Clerkship in Surgery (Equivalent to 4 units)
Semester Two
PIM 600: Genital and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
PIM 601: Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases
PIM 602: Neurological Disorders
PIM 603: Haematological Disorders
PIM 604: Oncological disorders
PIM 605: Rheumatology and Endocrinology
PIM 606: Senior Clerkship in Internal Medicine (Equivalent to 4 units)
PIM 607: Pulmonary Diseases
PIM 608: Gastrointestinal Diseases
PIM 609: Renal Diseases
PIM 610: Cardiac Diseases
Semester Three
HPS 600: Misuse and Dependence on Alcohol and Other Drugs
HPS 601: Eating, Sleeping, and Psychosexual Disorders
HPS 602: Aging, Dementia and Amnesic Disorders
HPS 603: Developmental Disorders
HPS 604: Psychopharmacy and Electroconvulsive Therapy
HPS 605: Psychotherapies and Psychiatric Care in the Community
HPS 606: Ethics in Psychiatry and the Mental Health Act
HPS 607: Senior Clerkship in Psychiatry (4 units)
HIP 600: Clinical Toxicology
Final Word
So that was the comprehensive guide about Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) offered at KU.
Other medical courses in KU include BSc Nursing and Bachelor of Pharmacy.
