MMMC BDS Phase I, Year I Course structure :D

Hello, I hope that a brief account of our BDS first academic year in MMMC, Manipal may be helpful for you guys :) All the external links lead to posts by a Batch 2 senior RC.

1. Our first year is also known as Phase I (Pre-Clinical), Year I, span over 38 weeks.

2. It is divided into quarters, each quarter is known as a 'block'.

Subjects

We have 6 subjects in total for first year. They are:

Exam-going subjects

1. Anatomy [The branch of science concerned with the bodily structure of humans, animals, and other organisms, esp. as revealed by dissection.]

2. Physiology [The branch of biology that deals with the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.]

3. Biochemistry [The branch of science concerned with the chemical and physicochemical processes that occur within living organisms.]

4. Oral Biology [Dental Anatomy and Dental Histology]

Non-exam going subjects

5. Preclinical Prosthodontics

6. Dental Materials and Technology

Here is a subject review :)

Assessments

In each subject, you will be assessed in both theory and practical components.

1. In each block there will be frequent tests in each subject.

2. You will also have one Problem-based Learning (PBL) session each block. For each block we have PBL for different subjects. (4 blocks, 4 subjects. Just nice :) )

3. You will be required to complete journals in each subject for practicals. 

3. At the end of each block, there will be an assessment examination - Block Exam.

4. At the end of each academic year, there will be an external examination - University Examination.

5. There will be a Mentor-Student project in which you and your fellow group members will be assigned a mentor/guide, and you will have to work together to complete a project of a certain assigned topic.

6. Viva voce (an examination conducted by spoken communication). You may have to give a viva for certain subjects in block exams. In the university exams, those who achieve distinction marks (>75%), have to defend their distinction by passing a distinction viva. For those with borderline marks (45-49%), you can secure a pass by passing a borderline viva.

7. Tests, viva, PBL marks will contribute 10% to the theory component of your block examination. Journals will contribute 5-10 marks to the practical component of your block examination.

8. The total of all 4 block examinations will contribute towards your university examination. 30 marks for theory, 15 marks for practical.

Passing and failures
You will need 50% in each subject, in overall theory and overall practical to pass. If you get borderline marks (45-49%), you still can have a go at it in a borderline viva. If you get less than 45%, you will need to reappear in the failed subjects (both theory & practical). There will be an improvement examination (4 weeks after uni exam) for your internal assessment marks and a supplementary examination (6 weeks after final exam). Unless you clear the supplementary examination, you will need to repeat the year.

Distinctions
As mentioned, distinction marks  (75 and above) does not guarantee you a distinction.

Criteria for distinction viva:
At least 75% in theory internal assesment
At least 75% in total university theory
At least 75% in practical internal assessment
At least 75% in total university practical

Then you sit for the distinction viva conducted by one external examiner (usually from other colleges under Manipal; for Oral Biology, the examiner will be from University of Malaya) and one internal examiner (from MMMC).

Getting distinction is not easy people, study smart and/or work hard! :p

Books

1. Textbooks

2. Journals, also known as record books. Required for your practicals. Can only be found in Higginbotham's, the official college bookstore. 7 journals are there for first year students.

Anatomy: Histology
Physiology
Biochemistry
Dental Anatomy
Dental histology 
Preclinical Prosthodontics
Dental Materials and Tech. 

Note: Look for the MMMC logo for each journal, or else you may end up buying the wrong ones.  

Timetable

We basically have classes and practical 8-5 on each weekday, and half day on saturdays.

This is Batch 2's timetable. (Just for reference)

Attendance
Ha! This is important. 90% attendance is a prerequisite for you to be eligible to sit for University examinations. In addition, you will need to be present for class on the 1st day after each vacation. If you achieve less than 90% for a certain subject in a block, your block exam results for that subject will be withheld. But at the end of the year, if your total attendance reaches the 90% mark, you will be fine. Or else, you are in trouble. :D

Mind you, MMMC is quite strict when attendance is concerned. :D

100% attendance in all the subjects will fetch you an award. :)

Practicals

1. Anatomy

We have dissection classes, 4 hours per week, and histology classes, 2 hours a week. We will have a spotters examination in each Block examination, and in the University examination, in which we have to identify structures in specimens, cadavers or bones and answer related questions.

My senior's account on dissection.  :)

2. Physiology

We learn to perform tests on blood, cardiovascular system, blood pressure, respiratory system and central nervous system, and so on. We also learn a little of basic life support  (CPR and Heimlich maneuver). Examinations include performance and questions on charts or projected on LCD.

3. Biochemistry

Biochemical tests such as tests for protein, carbohydrates in solutions, blood glucose tests, etc. We also need to take notes related to certain displayed items (food, substances, drugs) in our practical classes and transfer them into our journals. Examinations include performance and questions on charts or projected on LCD.

4. Oral biology

Dental Anatomy: Carving the morphology of each tooth on wax blocks using our carving instruments. We will be tested on carving in each block and in the university exam. 

Dental Histology: Identification of dental histology microscope slides. 

5. Pre-clinical prosthodontics

In first year we need to know the anatomy of an edentulous cast, make dental impressions using impression compound, and so on.

6. Dental materials and Tech.

Practicals related to dental materials such as cast and die materials, impression materials and so on.