Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Purpose

The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Successful completion of the qualification will equip the learner with specialist knowledge to apply the principles of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. The qualification is research-based and consists of a research project and the writing of a dissertation on a topic in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. The qualification aims to provide in South Africa's need for high-level workers in the pharmacy profession. The learner will distinguish himself/herself as a specialist in the specific chosen field and will be capable of applying research methodology at this level and in the specific field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Rationale

The qualifying learners will expand the leadership in South Africa in the field of Pharmaceutics, for innovative, knowledge-based economical scholastic and social activity. Due to the legacy of acute inequity in health science in the country, this qualification aims to address these inequities.

The qualification will enable its qualifying learners to be members of the leaders in their field, having mastered specialist disciplines, in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry related problems in the country. The Pharmaceutical Chemistry researcher or academic must identify research areas based on scientific literature and public health needs, develop hypotheses, design protocols to test hypotheses, execute research with appropriate methods, analyse and interpret results, and communicate results to fellow scientists, practitioners, and the target population through appropriate channels.

The qualifying learners will have applicable competencies to continue with doctoral studies on NQF Level 10. In developing this qualification, national and regional needs in the Pharmacy profession were taken into consideration. Completion of this research-based qualification opens up certain career possibilities in the profession and prepares the learner for further postgraduate studies in the field of Pharmacy.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution may, utilising the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following the institution's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, grant a learner who does not meet the minimum admission requirements access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution's RPL policy. The process will be managed by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place. Learners will be assessed against NQF Level 8 competencies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, NQF Level 8.

Or

• A relevant Postgraduate Diploma at Level 8 in the field of Pharmaceutics or equivalent.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Module, Level 9

• Dissertation: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills to identify a relevant research problem within the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.
2. Plan and execute a suitable quantitative and/or qualitative research topic scientifically and ethically, using suitable research methods, techniques and procedures; to interpret the research findings in a scientifically accountable way.
3. Compose a research report on it in the form of a dissertation or article format.
4. Apply critical knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal considerations to research and the consequences of interventions on individual, group and community level.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Generate, integrate and apply specialist knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and/or across specialised or applied areas.
• Make an original contribution to the knowledge society in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Conduct the research ethically by applying the suitable methodology.
• Formulate research findings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
• Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of Pharmaceutical Chemistry.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Produce an acceptable dissertation or other forms of research.
• Successfully defend the dissertation.

Integrated Assessment

Learners must submit a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation or other forms of research. "Dissertation" is a written piece compiled for examination purposes, including one published research article or a couple of published research articles or unpublished manuscript(s) in article or chapter format, following the requirements for documentation, argumentation, language and style, in which a learner must provide proof that he/she is confident with the research methodology and that is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the prescribed outcomes for a Master's Degree at the institution.