Master of Science in Pharmacology

Purpose

The Master of Science in Pharmacology aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of Pharmacology. Successful completion of the qualification will equip the learner with specialist knowledge to apply the principles of Pharmacological Science.

The qualification is a research-based and consists of a research project and the writing of a dissertation on a topic in the field of Pharmacology. The qualification aims to provide high-level manpower 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 Pharmacology.

Rationale

The qualifying learners will expand the leadership in South Africa in the field of Pharmacology 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 learners to be the leaders in their field, having mastered specialist disciplines in the field of Pharmacology related problems in the country. The Pharmacology 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 learner of the qualification will have applicable competencies to continue with doctoral studies on NQF Level 10.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Executive Dean 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 admission to the qualification.

In cases where the learner opted for the coursework variant, advanced standing may be granted by exempting the learner from the recognised modules required for the completion of the qualification. Only proven informal or non-formal learning may be taken into consideration using RPL, the process of equivalence-setting between such learning and formal modules must be documented, and its outcome must be recorded on the official learner record. Where a learner was granted an exemption for one or more modules as a consequence of RPL, the remaining HEMIS credits required for the qualification must be obtained by completing the relevant programme.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Science Honours in Pharmacology, NQF Level 8.

Or

• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmacological Principles of Drug Therapy, NQF Level 8.

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

Compulsory Module, Level 9

• Dissertation: Pharmacology, 180 Credits.

1. Identify a relevant research problem within the field of Pharmacology.
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 in the form of a dissertation or article format.
4. Apply critical knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal considerations applicable 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 Pharmacology and/or across specialised or applied areas.
• Make an original contribution to the knowledge society in pharmacology.
• Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacological principles underlying drug therapy.
• Evaluate existing drug prescriptions with an insight into the dynamics and kinetics of interaction between drugs including a comprehensive range of drug groups, and the patient is advised concerning drug treatment.
• Synthesise individualised pharmacological treatment approaches for a wide range of disease states.

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, and unfamiliar problems in the field of pharmacology.
• Retrieve the latest information on drug treatment from the Internet.
• Evaluate published clinical trials on drug treatment and demonstrate insight into general research methodology and clinical experiments.
• Conduct the research ethically by applying a 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 Pharmacology.
• Select the drugs based on pharmacological-scientific and ethical principles in the best interest of the patient is made;

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Produce an acceptable dissertation or other forms of research.
• Successfully defend the dissertation.
• Statistically analyse research data and communicate the results in an Internet-based environment.
• Show sensitivity, individually and in teams, for a patient-oriented approach to drug therapy.
• Debate and discuss, orally and in writing, within a frame of reference, relevant ethical questions regarding drug use.

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, and 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.