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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Herbal Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96677  Master of Science in Herbal Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Rehabilitative Health/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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification are to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level, and prepare qualifying learners for advanced and specialised professional employment. This qualification must have a significant research component.

The qualification may be earned in either of two ways:
  • By completing a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a thesis or dissertation.
    Or
  • By successfully completing a course work programme requiring a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence and a research project of at least 60 Credits, culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation.

    Qualifying learners must be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgement using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences, demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills.

    Rationale:
    The rationale for the qualification is to benefit the learners in the development of highly advanced knowledge and skills and applied competence in the area of Herbal Science and provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, as well as the pursuit of gainful economic activity and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society.

    This qualification will also provide South Africa with significant numbers of experts in the area of Herbal Science in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge - based scholarly activity is widened, this includes the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of Herbal Science in general. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can be provided in accordance with the institution's RPL policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In addition, in the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course (PDC) to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learners' interest in in the discipline as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Herbal Science, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • An appropriate Honours Bachelor's with Basic Science or Health Science focus, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules at Level 9,180 Credits:
  • Full Thesis, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Make a contribution in a specific area of specialisation in the field of Herbal Sciences.
    2. Independently initiate and conduct research in the chosen area of specialisation in Herbal Sciences.
    3. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the field of Herbal Sciences.
    4. Produce a dissertation, which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria applies across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Prepare a proposal to research a topic related to a specific area in Herbal Sciences within its sub-areas of specialisation for evaluation.
  • Identify, analyse, and formulate a particular problem creatively, ethically, autonomously and responsibly in the proposal.
  • Demonstrate skills of critical thinking, problem solving, collection and analysis of data, and effective written communication, which all contribute substantially to knowledge during the supervisory process.
  • Conduct advanced literature searches and critique current literature in the form of a review.
  • Submit a thesis for external assessment and should represent a significant contribution to new knowledge and presented in a scholarly manner.
  • Do independent research of high quality, and indicate considerable experience in using a variety of research techniques.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners' knowledge in the area of research will be continuously evaluated and guided by the supervisor commencing with the submission of a proposal for a Master's research by the end of their first year. This will be further evaluated by a committee of the Faculty before submission to Senate Higher Degrees Committee. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out where possible by international external examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification was compared with the following internationall institutions such as Quantum University and the Indian Board of Alternative Medicine.

    Quantum University in the United States offers a Master in Alternative Medicine which is designed to provide the graduate a multi-dimensional model of Alternative Medicine with diverse modalities associated with Anatomy, Acupuncture, Biofeedback, Hematology, Herbology, Homeopathy, Hormonology, Hematology, Homeopathy, Hormonology, Nutrition and Taoist Medicine. The learners will read, study, learn, and most importantly, clinically put into practice these many fundamental approaches. This in-depth education will allow the learners to better integrate the foundation of modern medicine to a more multi-dimensional model of Alternative Medicine.

    The Indian Board of Alternative Medicine in Kolkata, India, offers a Master of Science in Alternative Medicine which is a research based distance learning qualification which encourages the learner to carry forward their insight into new areas of successful treatment of disorders and diseases in human beings. Learners of the Indian qualification are required to submit an original and authentic research thesis of at least 300 pages on any subject related to Alternative Medicine.

    Conclusion:
    Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is an emerging field within the Health Sciences internationally and even though some institutions do not have a specific Masters qualifications specialising purely in CAM the majority offer modules within its qualifications, which support CAM research.

    The University of York, University of Virginia, Georgetown University and the University of Hawaii (Manoa) are just a few of the international institutions engaged in postgraduate research in CAM. The University of Virginia for example has a pre-doctoral CAM trainee programme in which the learner is required to produce a CAM research dissertation.

    The current qualification does not have any compulsory modules (coursework) as some of the international qualifications but all have a thesis/dissertation component. The international qualifications are comparable in terms of scope of content, duration and the requirement of a research dissertation/thesis in order to complete the qualification. 

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

    Horizontal articulation:
  • Master of Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.

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

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. University of the Western Cape 


    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.