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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Pharmacology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117732  Master of Science in Pharmacology 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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 
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. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
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. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Dissertation: Pharmacology, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    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 
    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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: University of Oxford
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Pharmacology

    The University of Oxford in the United Kingdom offers the Master of Science in Pharmacology.
    The aim of the MSc taught the course in Pharmacology is to provide learners with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical training that will enable them to integrate post-genomic molecular biology with biological function.

    This qualification is designed to educate the learners in becoming pharmaceutical experts who are capable of identifying, formulating and solving complex pharmacological problems independently and at an advanced academic level. It furthermore, provides the learner with a considerable degree of academic depth through the application of basic and advanced academic elements from within the pharmacological disciplines and methods and training in scientific work and methods that develop the learner's ability to work in related jobs in the industry. Both qualifications require learners to develop a hypothesis-driven research project which is expected to involve experimental work.

    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: University of Otago
    Qualification Title: Master of Science in Pharmacology.

    The University of Otago in New Zealand offers the Master of Science in Pharmacology.
    This qualification provides advanced education and cutting-edge training to prepare learners for high-level research and leadership positions in Pharmacology. This qualification can be obtained utilizing a structured programme or a completed thesis that is evaluated externally.

    Both the University of Oxford and the University of Otago Master's Degrees are comparable to this qualification as they are similar in purpose and scope. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    1. North West University 


    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.