Degrees
Our Division offers the following postgraduate degrees: BHSc Honours in Forensic Sciences, MMed in Forensic Pathology, MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine and PhD in Forensic Medicine. Our Division is based at the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services Medico-legal Laboratory where students get first-hand experience in a forensic mortuary setting.
BHSc Honours in Forensic Sciences
The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in the field of Forensic Sciences focuses on a variety of forensic fields and provides practical training in medico-legal facilities that investigate unnatural deaths.
The MSc(Med) in Forensic Medicine is by research dissertation only (no coursework). This can be done on a full-time or part-time process. The general research fields offered at a Masters level in the Division are: forensic anthropology, forensic taphonomy, forensic entomology, forensic toxicology, forensic and investigative psychology, general forensic science.
A MMed in Forensic Pathology is only offered to medical doctors who wish to specialise and are hired in a Registrar post. Applicants must first be employed in a Medical Officer post in the Forensic Pathology Service. You would then have to pass the CMSA Diploma Exams. This CMSA Dip For Med(SA) Path qualification is achievable within 6 months to a year (while in the M/O post), depending on your own enthusiasm and interest. After passing the CMSA Diploma exams you could move into a Registrar post. Those interested in M/O and Registrar posts can contact the Head of Division: Dr Shakeera Holland (Shakeera.Holland@wits.ac.za). Queries regarding the MMed program can contact Mrs Ildi Wainer (ildi.wainer@wits.ac.za).
The PhD in Forensic Medicine is by research thesis only (no coursework). This can be done on a full-time or part-time basis. The general research fields offered at a PhD level in the Division are: forensic anthropology, forensic taphonomy, forensic and investigative psychology, and general forensic science.
Queries for the degrees can be sent to Dr Craig Keyes (craig.keyes@wits.ac.za).