Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The aim of the Master of Technology (M-Tech) Degree in pharmaceutical sciences is to develop expertise in various aspects of drug design, drug discovery, formulation of dosage forms, efficacy, safety and quality testing, management of drug supply and the promotion of the rational use of drugs. Our national drug policy as well as the drug policies internationally call for the development of such expertise. Research and training in pharmaceutical sciences is essential to improve therapeutic interventions and health care delivery to society.

Since January 1999. Technikon Pretoria has offered the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm) Degree in equal partnership with MEDUNSA. However, the school of Pharmacy at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) cannot provide for vertical articulation of its graduates. There are also regular requests from pharmacists in the Pretoria area for opportunities to study towards further Degrees. This suggests that a need for such a course exists.

The candidate obtaining this qualification will be competent in initiating research and applying research methodology and technical skills in the area of pharmaceutical sciences, thus contributing to the improvement of health care both rural and urban societies.

Descriptive entry level

The candidate must be capable of describing, explaining, comparing and evaluating theories and techniques that are used in the field of pharmaceutical science.

Qualification entry level

Bachelor of Pharmacy (B Pharm), Bachelor of Technology (B Tech), Bachelor of Science Honours (B Sc (Hons) or any equivalent qualification in an appropriate field at Level 8.

Formative assessment techniques such as written reports, preparation of articles for submission to journals, presentation of posters and oral presentations are designed to develop the towards success in the final summative assessment by thesis. Some recognition of prior learning and work experience is given in the selection procedure but the formal programme does not make provision for outcomes gained in fields other than those related to research in the pharmaceutical sciences and cognate disciplines. The qualification is awarded to the candidate, providing assessed evidence that the stated competence of the qualification as detailed in the specified outcomes, has been achieved.

The candidate will be capable of

• Demonstrating understanding and knowledge in the area of pharmaceutical science.
• Generating and interpreting that of high integrity.
• Reporting and disseminating the findings of the research.

Specified outcomes

On completion of the programme the candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to

1. Critically evaluate literature and existing information in the field of study and identify the problem.
2. Define the problem and propose methods to obtain the solution to the problem.
3. Apply the latest technological skills and highly specialized knowledge in the field of pharmaceutical science to obtain a solution to the problem.
4. Report on the findings to an appropriate audience.
5. Train scientists in research methodology in the specialized field of pharmaceutical sciences.

Assessment will be provided on the basis of a thesis. In the thesis the candidate should convey

• A mastery of the appropriate methods and techniques of research.
• Familiarity with the relevant literature and recent trends in technologies and techniques in the relevant field.
• A clear understanding of the nature of the problem.
• Logical interpretation of the data and an understanding of the relationship between findings in the study and the ability to evaluate contradictory information.
• An ability to present the results using an appropriate literary style and a presentation free from errors.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment is provided on written and oral assessments.

Summative assessment is provided on the basis of a written thesis by both internal and external examiners.