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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Pharmacology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111292  Bachelor of Medical Science Honours in Pharmacology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to develop generic skills of critical analysis and understanding of pharmacological experimentation and provide the knowledge and skills appropriate to meet the needs of those learners who have identified a future career in one of the many healthcare and healthcare-related professions as professional research scientist in Pharmacology. The qualification will enable learners to function effectively in any Pharmacology laboratory or other similar circumstances based on the biological, physic-chemical and clinical sciences that form the foundations of 21st century medical sciences.

Rationale:
There is a strong demand for learners in Pharmacology from the pharmaceutical, chemical, and biotechnology industries. Learners are recruited with either Honours or Higher Degrees (Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy) in Pharmacology for employment including pure laboratory-based research, routine analysis of drug potency, manufacturing processes, clinical trials, toxicology, and regulatory affairs. Pharmacology learners can precede to a Higher Degree, usually a Masters or Doctorate, in a variety of academic departments and research institutes. Various other careers are possible, including research assistants in Clinical Pharmacology, drug education of doctors and forensic science. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In exceptional cases where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements a learner will be considered for access in compliance with the institutional RPL Policy. This includes approval of the faculty committee, on the recommendation of the academic head of department, on the strength of a standard of proficiency determined by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) that is sufficient for the purposes of Postgraduate study, with notification to the Executive Committee of Senate.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Medical Science, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Science, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Research Report, 48 Credits.
  • Applied Pharmacology, 12 Credits.
  • Medical Pharmacology, 30 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the necessary knowledge, skills, professional thinking and problem solving abilities to function as a research/clinical pharmacologist in a pharmacology laboratory.
    2. Explain mechanisms of drug action and basic pharmacokinetics; and use the theory underlying drug analytical procedures.
    3. Evaluate and solve basic pharmacokinetic problems relating to compartmental pharmacokinetic models; and operate analytical apparatus to determine the concentration of drugs in biological fluids.
    4. Present and discuss the merits and contents of scientific articles published in relevant pharmacology journals; and apply research methods applicable to Pharmacology.
    5. Conduct research under supervision, writing a report on the results obtained from the research project and verbally present and defend the results in an open discussion with peers and experts in the subject field. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:

    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Conduct research under supervision.
  • Write a research report.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification provides for a Continuous and Summative Assessment approach. The latter is based on the principles of Integrated Assessment since the assessment activities are focused on the different dimensions of the purpose of the qualification. In order to determine whether the stated outcomes of the respective modules have been achieved in accordance with set standards and level of cognitive complexity required by the level descriptors, assignments, tests, seminar presentations/orals and research report will be utilised. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Honours qualification is comparable to other qualifications both nationally and internationally in the Medical Sciences field. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Medical Pharmacology, Level 9.
  • Master of Medicine in Clinical Pharmacology, Level 9.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Pharmacology, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.