University

P.O. Box: 3286 Kigali of

Rwanda
Tel: (250) 25257188 ;
(250) 788665979

CMHS BRIDGING PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS IN LEVEL 1 2013-2014

COURSE CONTENT

Kigali, January 2014

The CMHS Level 1 Bridging Program Team

CMHS Bridging Program Definition, Core Elements, and Context.

In September 2013 it became apparent that a number of students were admitted to former KHI
without the essential two principal passes in school leaving exams. These students are, by definition,
disadvantaged in their University studies since they have not demonstrated that they have the
grounding in basic sciences. Following the guidance of HEC, the University determined that these
students should satisfactorily complete a Bridging Program.
These students will be notified that they are provisionally registered at CMHS for Year 2013-2014,
and are required to satisfy the conditions of the Bridging Program before progressing to the next
phase of study.
The goal of the CMHS Bridging Program is to bridge the gap in the knowledge and skills of
'successful' school leavers and what they need to enter and progress in the College of Medicine and
Health Sciences at the University of Rwanda, and in their future careers.
The CMHS Bridging Program will prepare students for success in the following courses at CMHSUR: Anesthesia, Ophthalmology, Medical Imaging Sciences, Orthopedic Technology, Biomedical
Laboratory Sciences, Physiotherapy, Dentistry, General Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health Nursing,

Environmental Health Sciences, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, and Clinical Medicine and
Community Health.
This need for a Bridging Program is a one-off situation and will not be repeated in subsequent years.

Student progression.
Having reviewed the knowledge and skills gaps essential for success in the designated courses at
University, the Bridging Program will complement the existing Level 1 courses which are in and of
themselves 'foundation courses'.
In order to progress to Level 2 of study in the College students must satisfy the examiners in the
Level 1 exams. In addition, and crucially, students must satisfy the requirements of the Bridging
Program including full attendance, and engagement in class activities and in coursework.
While the students have to demonstrate their fitness for University study it is important that these
students are not given an additional burden of work and so the spirit of the Bridging Programm is
supportive and developmental.
A certificate of satisfactory completion of the Program will be given to successful students and a
copy will be added to the students' higher education file at the College. This certificate will make
clear the nature and intent of the Bridging Program.

The Bridging programme: Core Elements.

CMHS bridging program assists students in obtaining the necessary academic, employability, and
technical skills through four components: human biology, health chemistry, health physics, and
learning and study skills. The content includes:

human biology that explores the concepts of human biology, medical terminology, and
human anatomy and physiology;

health chemistry which covers properties of elements and matter, various systems and rules
used in chemistry, types of chemical reactions, concepts relating to energy, gas laws and
problem-solving, qualitative and quantitative concepts in chemical solutions, acids and bases,
and concepts of organic chemistry;

health physics that provides basic knowledge within the areas of mechanics, sound,
electricity and magnetism, and colour and light;

learning and study skills which comprises different learning and study techniques, language
skills, and the roots of medical terminology.

Program Design.

The CMHS Bridging Program will contain the minimum knowledge and skills required for
University entry in terms of 'principal subjects' and the level of 'pass' in the required subjects, and
will prepare and support students to successfully complete their Level 1 courses. The Bridging
Program must be of sufficient duration and intensity to produce the desired transition results.
The preparation of the CMHS Bridging Program has combined the secondary school curriculum
offered by the Rwanda Education Board, the CMHS-UR curricula for Level 1, and experience from
pre-health science programs (University level) offered by international HLIs.
The current program will run in parallel with the course of study for Semester 2 of 2013/2014
academic year which starts on February 3rd 2014 and will end on June 20th 2014.
The program will be delivered through interactive sessions, tutorials and small group discussions,
which will last a maximum of 8 hours a week (6:00-8:00pm on weekdays Tuesday and Thursday,
and 8:00am-12:00pm on weekends Saturday), and self-study tasks. The course delivery time
includes standard break periods.
Students will have access to course tutors and staff outside of teaching times and staff will post their
availability for all students to see. There will be a room set aside for their use.

Course Delivery.
The Bridging Program will be delivered at the Nyamishaba campus where all of the identified
students are based. Some of the students in this cohort have physical disabilities and so we do not
wish to disrupt or dislodge students from the campus.
The CMHS Bridging Program will be provided by CMHS academic staff in consideration of
workload and any required facilitation, and will be governed by the existing policies at CMHS. On
occasion, the College may utilise the knowledge and expertise of the people from outside CMHS.
The coordinator of the Nyamishaba campus will organise a teaching space specifically for this
course.

Evaluation of students' performance and evaluation of the Bridging Program.

At each meeting of the student group, the Program tutors will make assessments of prior knowledge
to evaluate students level of understanding, and will use formative assessments to gauge progress.

The College will collect and analyze key information about the Program such as attendance and
engagement, and will follow up performance throughout the entire University course leading to
graduation.
In addition, the College will track these students through post-graduation destination surveys.

Outcomes.
By the end of the Bridging Program students will have demonstrated successful completion of Level
1 courses, and should be able to successfully progress to Level 2. In addition, they will be able to
successfully adapt to learning at University.
In the longer term graduates should be able to prove competent in their career paths.

DETAILED PROGRAM CONTENT AND COURSE OUTLINE

Tutors and students will agree upon a definite teaching and learning plan. This CMHS Bridging
Program comprises of four elements: human biology, health chemistry, concepts in physics, and
learning and study skills.
1: Human biology
Semester 2 (2013-2014)
Description
This element is a study of human biology as it relates to cells, tissues and genetics. An increased
awareness of the functioning of the human body as a coordinated, homeostatic, reproducing
organism will be achieved by studying the anatomy and physiology of the human body organ
systems.
Objectives
1. Describe the structure and function of cells to
human life.

2. Explain mitosis and meiosis to human biology

and genetics.
3. Describe the general micro and macroscopic
organization of the body.
4. Explain the physiology of the cardiovascular,
lymphatic, digestive, respiratory, urinary,
skeletal, muscular, nervous and endocrine
systems.
5. Relate tissues and organs in the human body.
6. Analyze the causes and effects of changes in
homeostatic balance.

Intended learning outcomes

1. Apply the characteristics and properties of
water to biochemistry.
2. Examine how the components within a cell
membrane contribute to life.
3. Relate the functions of various organelles of
the cell to cellular metabolism.
1. Compare and contrast mitosis and meiosis.
2. Relate the role of DNA and RNA to protein
synthesis, patterns of inheritance, and understand
the difference between genotype and phenotype.
1. Describe the structure and locations of major
tissue types found within the human body.
1. Describe the characteristics and function of all
the organs and tissues found within the human
body.
1. Describe how the organs and tissues of each of
the systems function together to perform specific
body functions.
1. Describe the physiological mechanisms that are
triggered by external and internal stimuli to
maintain homeostatic balance.
2. Determine how microorganisms, and
homeostatic imbalances cause illness.

2: Health Chemistry
Semester 2 (2013-2014)
Description
This element begins with activities related to measurement, conversions, and density. Students will
study the structure of atoms, their relationship to the periodic table, and the structure and properties
of compounds. Where possible the course concepts will be related to the health sciences. The topics
that are discussed include the major macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids.
An emphasis is placed on making connections to everyday uses and applications of such chemicals
within the field of health.
Objectives
1. Implement the various systems and rules of
measurements involved in the study of chemistry.
2. Understand various properties of elements and
matter.

3. Understand the type of reactions which occur

between various elements and compounds.

4. Understand concepts relating to energy.

5. Understand the principles of the various gas
laws to solve problems.
6. Understand qualitative and quantitative
concepts as they relate to solutions in chemistry.

Intended learning outcomes

1. Convert various measures within both the
metric system and the Imperial system.
2. Convert decimal numbers to scientific notation
and vice-versa.
1. Classify the various types of matter.
2. Utilize the periodic table as an instrument to
identify elements characteristic properties.
3. Distinguish between various isotopes for an
element.
4. Investigate physical properties of various
elements and their positions and trends within the
periodic table.
5. Apply the concept of the mole and molar mass
to calculate various quantities.
6. Explain the physical properties of gases,
liquids, and solids.
1. Identify the change in a substance as either
chemical or a physical.
2. Differentiate between exothermic and
endothermic chemical reactions.
3. Calculate the mass of a substance using
quanties within a chemical reaction.
1. Identify energy as either kinetic or potential.
2. Calculate the amount of calorific energy in
foods.
1. Investigate the relationship between the
pressure & volume and temperature & volume.
1. Identify the characteristics of electrolytes,
non-electrolytes, solutes and solvents.
2. Apply the concepts of solubility to determine
saturation of solutions.
3. Perform calculations involving the concept of
molarity and percent concentrations.

7. Understand the concepts involved in acids and

bases.
8. Apply concepts of organic chemistry.

1. Name and write the formulas for various acids

and bases.
2. Explain what determines the strength of acids
and bases.
1. Explain structures, properties, and reactions of:
carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins and
enzymes.
2. Describe factors that affect enzyme activity.

3: Health Physics
Semester 2 (2013-2014)
Description
This course introduces students to concepts in physics within the areas of mechanics, sound,
electricity and magnetism and colour and light. Applications of these concepts in health science
fields are stressed within each area of study.
Objectives
1. Understand Newtons Laws of Motion.
2. Understand the concepts of momentum.
3. Relate vibrations and waves to the origin of
sound.
4. Distinguish between Electrostatics and
Electric Current.
5. Understand the relationship between a
magnetic field and an electric field.

6. Explain properties of light and colour.

7. Distinguish between reflection and
refraction.

Intended learning outcomes

1. Distinguish between Newtons three laws of
motion.
1. Apply the concepts of momentum to
demonstrate the Law of Conservation of
Momentum.
1. Relate wave properties to the propagation of
sound.
2. Interpret reflection, reverberation, and
refraction of sound.
1. Compare and contrast electrostatics and
electricity.
1. Distinguish between magnetic force, magnetic
field and magnetic domain.
2. Distinguish between electric charges and
magnetic poles.
3. Explain how an electric current can produce a
magnetic field.
1. Describe electromagnetic wave velocity and
electromagnetic spectrum.
2. Describe properties of light and colour.
1. Explain the process and causes of refraction.
2. Describe properties of reflection and
refraction.

4: Learning and study skills

Semester 2 (2013-2014)
Description
This element introduces students to learning and study skills, writing strategies, basic reading
strategies, and language skills. It addresses the importance of learning and study skills, taking notes
(texts and lectures), reading textbooks, test taking strategies, writing reports, problem solving, and
using graphic organizers. Students will also explore career and program specific language.

Objectives
1. Distinguish different learning and study
techniques

2. Understand basic language learning and use

skills
3. Understand the origins of medical terms.

Intended learning outcomes

1. Adopt key learning and study skills
2. Understand different techniques such as skim
reading, note taking, and essay planning.
3. Adopt learning and study goal setting (shortand long-term).
4. Develop critical thinking skills.
1. Improve language proficiency.
2. Improve writing skills by review of documents
written in other classes.
1. Analyze, pronounce and spell medical terms
using common combining forms, suffixes and
prefixes.

In addition, there are generic and personal transferable skills:

Essential learning and employability outcomes
The student will have demonstrated the ability to:
1
Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills
the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.
2
Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.
3
Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and
information systems.
4
Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.
5
Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships
and the achievement of goals.
6
Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
7
Execute mathematical operations accurately.
8
Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.
9
Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.
10 Take responsibility for ones own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Resources used in compiling this Bridging Program:

http://www.reb.rw/spip.php?rubrique4 (accessed 26.1.14)

CMHS-UR level 1 curricula for 2013/2014

CMHS-UR Academic Calendar 2013/2014

http://www.niagaracollege.ca/content/Programs/FulltimeStudies/AcademicandLiberalStudies/P
reHealthSciencesUniversity.aspx (accessed 27.1.14) An example of pre-University curricula

for entry to an international HLI.

THE TEACHING TIME TABLE

Course
blocks

Teaching
staffs

Mode of
teaching

Total
hours

Observation

Human
biology
Health

Tutor 1 & 2

Interactive

40

Week1-5

Small group

Time distribution
Tuesday

6:00 8:00

Thursday

6:00 8:00

Saturday

8:00-12:00

Total hours/week

Human
biology
Health

Tutor 3 & 4

Interactive

32

Week 6-9

Small group

8 hour

Tuesday

6:00 8:00

Thursday

6:00 8:00

Saturday

8:00-12:00

Total hours/week

Human
biology
Health

Tutor 1 & 2

Interactive

Course

Small group
discussion

32

8 hour

Week 10-13

Tuesday

6:00 8:00

21 Apr 16

Thursday

6:00 8:00

Saturday

8:00-12:00

Total hours/week

Human
biology
Health

Tutor 3 & 4

Interactive
Small group

40

Week 14-18

Tuesday

6:00 8:00

Thursday

6:00 8:00

Saturday

8:00-12:00

Total hours/week

7 April 11 April: Genocide memorial

Short break

8 hour

8 hour

14 April - 20 April: