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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117734  Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry 
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  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 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. 

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Module, Level 9:
  • Dissertation: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    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 
    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. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of South Wales (USW) in the United Kingdom offers the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. This qualification is structured and provide learners work-based learning module in which they can undertake a research project, either in specialist labs at USW or possibly as part of an industry-based work placement. It is designed to educate the learners in becoming pharmaceutical experts who are capable of identifying, formulating and solving complex pharmaceutical problems independently and at an 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 pharmaceutical disciplines and methods, and training in scientific work and methods that develop the learner's ability to work in related jobs in the industry.

    The UCSI University in Malaysia offers the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry. This qualification aims to produce professional and ethical qualifying learners who are capable of contributing to the local and global science and technology industry for the advancement of quality pharmaceutical products, research and development. The qualification seeks to instil qualifying learners with life-long learning to develop creative, critical problem-solving skills with good communication, management and leadership skills.

    Both the University of South Wales and the USCI University of Malaysia Master's Degrees are comparable to the MSc (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) 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.