Master of Philosophy in Clinical Pharmacology

Purpose

The primary purpose is to educate and train researchers in the clinical pharmacology of drug development, so that they can contribute to new knowledge in the field of drug discovery.

It is intended that the student enrolled for this Master's Degree will make a contribution, through independent research, advanced problem-solving skills and critical, reflective thinking that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the field of Clinical Pharmacology. The student will present the findings in a report that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the institution. The student will also be assessed on course-work according to Institutional/Faculty policy and procedures.

Rationale

The Division of Clinical Pharmacology has a research focus on drug discovery, specifically on in-vitro assays for new drugs, the development of new drug assays, and the interpretation of highly variable drug assay data in animals and humans. We attract Postgraduate Master and Doctoral students from a variety of backgrounds, including students with Bachelor of Science Honours: Life Sciences and Pharmacists with a professional four year undergraduate Degree. Their research is either in pre-clinical drug development or in the clinical phases of drug development, often involving mathematical modelling of pharmacokinetic data.

In the National Research and Development Strategy of 2002 section 5.6 "Science and Technology for Poverty Reduction", one of the key research issues identified is "developing novel therapeutic regimes". The Master of Philosophy: Clinical Pharmacology addresses this directly by training researchers for the development of new drugs. Drug development also falls under biotechnology, which was identified as a critical new technology area requiring development in the national strategy.

There is thus a clear need for a Master's Degree that offers coursework, together with a research dissertation, to equip Postgraduate students with the skills they need to research these vital components of drug discovery.

Applicants are assumed to be competent in

• Fundamental principles and concepts of research and statistical methods at NQF Level 8.
• Science, including health sciences and their scientific methods at NQF Level 8.
• Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Admission to this Master's Degree could be granted to students not in possession of the specified Degree that meets the admission requirements at the discretion of the Institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Access to Qualification

A Bachelor of Science Honours Degree.

Or

A 480 Credit relevant Bachelor's Degree.

In addition to compulsory course work for 90 Credits, a research dissertation for 90 Credits must be produced at the appropriate level to be awarded the Master of Philosophy: Clinical Pharmacology.

Course Work

• Principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, 10 Credits.
• Drug Development, 20 Credits.
• Drug Assays, 30 Credits.
• Pharmacometrics, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to clinical pharmacology, including drug development, to be able to critique and evaluate current research in the relevant area.

• Range: Drug development, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.

1. Identify, analyse and deal with complex and real world problems in a clinical environment, drawing systematically and creatively on the theory, research methods and literature of the discipline.
2. Participate in scholarly debates in the chosen area of specialisation and be able to relate theory to practice and vice versa and to think epistemologically.
3. Apply advanced information retrieval and processing skills; identification, critical analysis, synthesis and independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative data.
4. Undertake a study of the literature and current research under supervision in the chosen area of specialisation.
5. Apply the research methods, techniques and technologies appropriate to clinical pharmacology to undertake a research project and write up a research dissertation under supervision.
6. Produce a dissertation which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing and present/communicate the results of the research to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using the resources of an academic/professional discourse.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

This qualification enables all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed.

The following Assessment Criteria are generic and are applicable to some or all of the given Exit Level Outcomes

• A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in clinical pharmacology with specialist knowledge of professional practice in this discipline is demonstrated.
• Relevant and recent literature on the research topic is gathered from a wide variety of sources and critically evaluated in terms of relevance and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories.
• Various models, principles and theories in the chosen field are critically analysed, evaluated and discussed in the literature review.
• A research proposal is compiled and presented in accordance with the faculty research policies and procedural criteria.
• Appropriate research design and methodology are selected, described and justified in terms of the research problem.
• Medical and research ethics and legal issues pertinent to research in technology are critically reflected on, included in the proposal and adhered to during the research process.
• Data is gathered using the selected methodology.
• Data is analysed using the relevant statistical or other tools.
• Research results are critically analysed, evaluated and discussed.
• The research dissertation is written up and presented according to specified criteria.
• Information technology is applied effectively in the production of the research dissertation/report.
• Language and numeracy skills are applied effectively and correctly in clearly communicating the research problem, its investigation, the outcome, and the recommendations.
• Findings are communicated to a professional audience through oral/poster presentations and/or institutional seminars and/or publications.

Integrated Assessment

The evaluation process includes an internal and external evaluation as well as a self-evaluation process.

Students will be assessed through a combination of approaches including final examinations, individual assignments and impromptu tests during lectures. The students will also be expected to submit research reports for assessment. Examinations will be both internally and externally moderated. For internal moderation, all examination papers will be given to an internal lecturer with expertise in the subject area to moderate. Once the examination papers have been taken and graded, an external examiner will be required to examine the papers and file a report to the examination board.