Master of Science in Medical Biosciences
Lifestyle diseases are the biggest killers of modern man. The main causes of human mortality are respiratory disease, diarrhoea, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infectious diseases relating to reproduction. The impact of westernisation, urbanisation and the mass media have drastically changed the lifestyles of the African people with sometimes devastating results on their health. Science has always played a prominent role in the elucidation of the underlying biological mechanisms involved in disease.
Sources: SAQA official qualification record, SAQA registered qualifications record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Master's Degree
Credits
180
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of the Western Cape
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services
Subfield
Promotive Health and Developmental Services
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
N
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Lifestyle diseases are the biggest killers of modern man. The main causes of human mortality are respiratory disease, diarrhoea, cardiovascular disease, cancer and infectious diseases relating to reproduction. The impact of westernisation, urbanisation and the mass media have drastically changed the lifestyles of the African people with sometimes devastating results on their health. Science has always played a prominent role in the elucidation of the underlying biological mechanisms involved in disease.
The theme of health and lifestyle has been successfully woven into the fabric of the undergraduate Medical BioScience qualification. This qualification strives to address the important role which basic science plays in the promotion and understanding of health and quality of life.
The postgraduate Medical BioScience qualification continues this theme by addressing questions, via the methodology of science, concerning the underlying biological mechanisms contributing to issues of lifestyle and health.
The purpose of the M.Sc. qualificationis to prepare learners for 'hard core' research, either in the private sector or at Ph.D level. Learners who exit at the M.Sc level should be able to formulate research questions, develop a rationale for their research, initiate new research and publish their research findings in the international academic press.
They will ideally perform independent research in a wide range of environments including medical schools, research institutes and private research units.
Entry requirements and RPL
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- Bachelor of Science Honours in Medical Bioscience, NQF Level 7.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Exit level outcomes
- Formulate research questions.
- Develop a rationale for their research.
- Initiate new research.
- Publish research findings in the international academic press.
- Communicate and present research results to the scientific community.
Associated assessment criteria
Integrated Assessment
The research component, which will culminate in a thesis, will be assessed by the appointed supervisors/co-supervisors using events within a research project time frame (e.g. submission of a protocol, the presentation of a seminar on reviewed literature, the submission of a thesis). The thesis will also be assessed by two external examiners, appointed by the University's Senate.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation
- Master of Medical Science: Pharmaceutical Sciences, NQF Level 9.
Vertical Articulation
- Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Bioscience, NQF Level 10.
Notes
As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.
NOTES
N/A
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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