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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97392  Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences 
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
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 purpose of the qualification is:
  • To develop learners as independent young researchers within the field of pharmaceutical sciences.
  • To increase research competence.
  • To provide learners with relevant and advanced knowledge, skills and competences for application in the pharmaceutical and related fields such as the cosmetic and food industries.

    Upon completion of this qualification the learners will be:
  • Apply different practice settings in obtain professional and research competence in aspects of product development, formulation and evaluation.
  • Ensured highly skilled professional workers within the field of new product development that has been identified by government and industry as an important strategic goal for progress in job creation.
  • Identified and solve problems and make responsible ethical decisions within own limit of authority.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation or community to collect, analyse, synthesise, and critically evaluate information and then apply knowledge and insight to reach conclusions and be able to make recommendations to individuals and members of groups, organise and take action steps to implement recommendations.
  • Effective communication using visual, physical, scientific and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Utilise appropriate technology (computer, e-mail, Internet, fax) effectively in legal practice or private development situations.

    Rationale:
    The rationale of this qualification is to provide learners who do not have a background in Pharmacy with the necessary competence to be highly skilled professional workers in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and related industries. The qualification will provide learners with advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence to address the shortage that exists for highly skilled workers in the pharmaceutical science industry and related sectors, thereby providing in the needs of different communities and the country at large. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution acknowledges that the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must be conducted in a valid, reliable and equitable way and that it must form part of the existing policy on the admission and credit accommodation to prospective or current students at this institution. An applicant's prior learning is evaluated in accordance with the relevant procedures.

    The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in a formal setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge must still comply with all the requirements as stated in learning modules and learning programmes and qualifications. The difference is the route to the assessment. RPL assessment takes a holistic view of the process of assessment where the context of the learning as well as the context of the person who is being assessed is taken into account.

    The institution determines at all times the number of learners admitted to any of its qualifications, taking into consideration the availability of staff and facilities needed to manage such qualifications.

    Entry Requirements:
    The admission requirements for this qualification are:
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (Pharm) Degree.
  • Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in the Natural or Health Sciences with Chemistry. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of a compulsory module at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.
  • Dissertation: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Level 9. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop an in-depth understanding and synthesise the knowledge acquired through display of independent work and appropriate use of advanced research techniques.
    2. Demonstrate specialist expertise and the competencies to creatively apply Pharmaceutical Sciences knowledge. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Advanced knowledge and skills in the contextualisation and delimitation of a specific research problem are applied after a thorough review of relevant and essential scientific literature.
  • Specific problem (or research question) are systematically investigated through the implementation of an effective research design and research methods.
  • All aspects of the research processes are planned, resourced, managed and optimised to achieve the objective of the undertaking.
  • Ethical implications of research are identified and considered as well as the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs within the field of the Pharmaceutical Sciences in South Africa.
  • The ability to work in a disciplinary and/or multi-disciplinary team, group, organisation or community towards achieving specified goals is demonstrated.
  • Information and concepts in the broader field of Pharmaceutical Sciences and related fields are evaluated and responses to problems that lead to creation of new knowledge or expansion of existing knowledge and/or improvement of processes are created.
  • Theoretical knowledge and research findings are integrated and critically applied within relevant local contexts as well as across disciplines to provide solutions to problems in the workplace.
  • Technology is utilised for the development or evaluation of products within the Pharmaceutical and related industries.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • A purposeful and critical application of advanced theory, current knowledge and expertise in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences is reflected when analysing problems and issues.
  • Appropriate and creative use of tools and/or data relevant to the field is applied in Research for interventions.
  • Comprehensive description of outcomes interventions, techniques, strategies or processes in relation to the stated goals are evaluated in accordance with corresponding theoretical assumptions.

    Formative Assessment:
    Formative assessment, during the course of the research, may be based on any of the following:
  • Participation in and contribution to group discussions.
  • Presentations in front of peers and experts (colloquium).
  • Oral and written summative assessments for specific modules (as described in the admission requirements).
    The required dissertation is an integrated culmination of all the research-related outcomes of this qualification.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment takes the form of the submission of the dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Southern California offers a similar qualification. The Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences emphasises basic as well as applied research in drug delivery and targeting, utilizing medicinal chemistry, computational chemistry, pharmaceutics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, immunology, and molecular and cell biology.
    Graduate learners are expected to possess knowledge in various areas of pharmaceutical sciences. Learners may choose between two tracks to complete the Master of Science Degree. First, the non-research Master's track requires that the learners conduct a detailed, extensive literature review in an area determined by the learner in conjunction with a thesis advisor faculty member. Second, the research track requires that the student carry out a research project during the second year of the programme. On either track, learners must submit a thesis to complete their degree requirements, either covering the scientific area selected in the non-research track, or describing their research project and results in the research track.

    In the USA Campbell University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS) offers a Master in Pharmaceutical Sciences. The MS in pharmaceutical sciences Degree focuses on drug discovery, research, development and manufacturing. The qualification offers four unique tracks to provide learners with specialized training to help them meet their career interests and goals. Learners conduct research and complete lab-based courses in on-campus facilities that have the same innovative technology and equipment used in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry. The hands-on, practical training prepares them for high-ranking positions in the pharmaceutical industry or the opportunity to continue their education in a PhD qualification.

    The College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Toledo Ohio offers the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences Degree with programme options in Pharmacology/Toxicology, Industrial Pharmacy, and Health Outcomes and Socioeconomic Sciences. The qualification main objective is to prepare learners to assume pharmaceutical manufacturing positions performing a variety of specialized tasks including pre-formulation evaluation, dosage form design, stability testing, pilot plant scale-up and production.

    The School of Pharmacy at the University College London offers Master of Science in Pharmaceutics. Learners taking MSc Pharmaceutics are taught cutting-edge science and undertake research guided by world-leading experts in drug delivery. This MSc was introduced in direct response to the requirements of the pharmaceutical industry for highly skilled formulation scientists capable of taking promising new drug candidates and developing them into world-class medicines. The qualification is designed for graduates wishing to pursue a research degree or a career in product development in the pharmaceutical industry. Its graduates are highly competitive in the global jobs market.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification is internationally comparable with the mentioned qualification and the communal focus is research base competency that all these qualifications emphasise. These qualifications equip learners with the transferable practical skills and knowledge to forge successful careers in academia or the pharmaceutical industry. They also provide a research experience that encourages development of independent thought and research ideology. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Master of Science (Pharm Sciences) learners may, after completion of NQF Level 9 qualifications, have ace experience, access to enrol for a cognate Doctoral Degree at universities worldwide, while they should also be able to articulate horizontally into Masters' qualifications in related areas of study.

    This qualification can enable articulation both horizontally to a Master of at NQF Level 9 as well as vertically to a Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences at 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.