Doctor of Philosophy: Herbal Science

Purpose

To provide South Africa with highly skilled human capital in the field of Herbal Science research to help ensure that the country becomes an international hub for the innovative discovery and development of phytotherapy and phytopharmaceuticals for better wellness and health.

This would create an extensive regional and international network through which researchers can collaborate to investigate the utility of the most important herbal medicines used to prevent and treat human diseases and to unite indigenous knowledge with western knowledge systems in medicine, to benefit people everywhere.

Rationale

The South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute is the only one of its kind in the country. The University currently offers the only Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master of Science: Herbal Science qualifications and it is essential that there are vertical articulation possibilities in Herbal Science - hence this qualification.

There is a dramatic shortage of scientists studying the quality, safety efficacy and mechanisms of action of thousands of herbal medicines that millions of people use in South Africa and beyond. It is critical that the South African Herbal Science and Medicine Institute be supported to offer an accredited Doctor of Philosophy: Herbal Science, in order that we are better able to understand the utility of these natural medicines. Moreover, it is the Doctor of Philosophy researcher who is likely to discover and develop new natural remedies and drugs that will contribute to strengthening our biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, for better wellness and health.

The Western Cape in particular and South Africa more generally, are recognised global botanical hotspots. Moreover, we have over 200 000 traditional doctors with indigenous knowledge about herbal medicine that is unique to the world. The proposed Doctor of Philosophy: Herbal Science will extend our reach in working with the natural healers in extracting value from these herbal medicines.

The fundamental training of Doctor of Philosophy level researchers is part of the critical foundation needed to galvanise our nascent South African biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, which will strongly support our economy and prosperity through the fair sharing of benefits with all stakeholders.

A learner should have a

• Clear understanding of the Herbal environment in a commercial or academic setting.
• Firm basis in biological sciences and training to manage information and carry out research.
• Good oral and writing skills.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Access to the Qualification can also be provided in terms of the university's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learners admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learners' interest in Herbal Sciences as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

Access to the Qualification

Learners who have completed a relevant research Master's Degree successfully will gain access to this Doctor of Philosophy qualification in Herbal Science.

The qualification comprises a thesis/dissertation worth 360 Credits.

The qualifying learner should, upon completion of this qualification be able to

• Demonstrate expertise and specialist forefront knowledge in Herbal Science, apply these creatively and innovatively within the disciplinary field of study (inclusive of multi-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary and interdisciplinary study) and/or own profession.
• Exercise intellectual independence, mature and sound judgment and high levels of self-reflexivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrate academic integrity and adhere to professional or self-defined ethics.
• Communicate academically and professionally with peers and colleagues within a contextual environment and participate in academic debates at the cutting edge of a specialist area of study, nationally and internationally.
• Produce a thesis/dissertation which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The qualifying learner is able to

• Identify, analyse, formulate and solve highly complex problems creatively, autonomously and responsibly.
• Effectively lead a team, group, organisation, community and provide leadership.
• Manage and organise the activities of others effectively.
• Collect, analyse organise and critically evaluate information at an advanced and specialised level.
• Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in a sustained discourse.
• Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment, health and safety of others.
• Demonstrate understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that the problem-solving context does not exist in isolation, but is interrelated multi-, trans-, and inter-disciplinarily.

The following assessment criteria are applied in an integrated manner to all the Exit Level Outcomes and/or meet Doctoral-level requirements:

• The comprehensiveness, reasoning and depth of the research undertaken.
• Inter-relatedness and multi-disciplinarily of reasoning and arguments.
• Sound knowledge and theoretical base of the research.
• Use of statistical data analysis (qualitative and/or quantitative research method) in line with requirements in this regard.
• Alignment of hypothesis, research objectives, questions, theoretical framework, analysis and recommendations made.
• Methods used to ensure validity of the research.
• International comparability of the research.
• The ability to present the results of research that complies with criteria supported by the research community.
• Use of technology in presenting information and statistical data analysis.
• The design of the research product in line with standards set by the research community.
• Clear knowledge and understanding of the researched problem and the possible solutions to the problem.
• Ability to defend academically own analysis and recommendations made.
• Integration of resources with research undertaken and coverage of all relevant sources.
• Information gathered using appropriate data collecting methods such as sampling, questionnaires, interviews, inclusive of the use of library, electronic, other retrieval methods.
• Method used to report relevant sources is in line with research standards for verification such as triangulation.
• Recording of relevant sources (avoidance of plagiarism, Harvard method).
• Synthesis of information into a coherent body of knowledge is done to the extent that it adheres to academic standards regarding accuracy, truthfulness and biasness.
• The ability to critically relate own analysis to existing theories.
• The ability to engage epistemologically with the chosen field of study and the problem identified for the research.
• The ability to engender the values of inquiry, critical thinking, creativity and open-mindedness.

Integrated Assessment

The learners' knowledge of Herbal Sciences will be assessed by the supervisor and faculty members as a formal proposal for Doctor of Philosophy research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three professors, one of whom must be external. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis/dissertation. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out by Faculty members and international external examiners.