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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Clinical Pharmacology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90821  Master of Philosophy in Clinical Pharmacology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 primary purpose is to educate and train researchers in the clinical pharmacology of drug development, so that they can contribute to new knowledge in the field of drug discovery.

It is intended that the student enrolled for this Master's Degree will make a contribution, through independent research, advanced problem-solving skills and critical, reflective thinking that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the field of Clinical Pharmacology. The student will present the findings in a report that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the institution. The student will also be assessed on course-work according to Institutional/Faculty policy and procedures.

Rationale:
The Division of Clinical Pharmacology has a research focus on drug discovery, specifically on in-vitro assays for new drugs, the development of new drug assays, and the interpretation of highly variable drug assay data in animals and humans. We attract Postgraduate Master and Doctoral students from a variety of backgrounds, including students with Bachelor of Science Honours: Life Sciences and Pharmacists with a professional four year undergraduate Degree. Their research is either in pre-clinical drug development or in the clinical phases of drug development, often involving mathematical modelling of pharmacokinetic data.

In the National Research and Development Strategy of 2002 section 5.6 "Science and Technology for Poverty Reduction", one of the key research issues identified is "developing novel therapeutic regimes". The Master of Philosophy: Clinical Pharmacology addresses this directly by training researchers for the development of new drugs. Drug development also falls under biotechnology, which was identified as a critical new technology area requiring development in the national strategy.

There is thus a clear need for a Master's Degree that offers coursework, together with a research dissertation, to equip Postgraduate students with the skills they need to research these vital components of drug discovery. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Applicants are assumed to be competent in:
  • Fundamental principles and concepts of research and statistical methods at NQF Level 8.
  • Science, including health sciences and their scientific methods at NQF Level 8.
  • Mathematics at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Admission to this Master's Degree could be granted to students not in possession of the specified Degree that meets the admission requirements at the discretion of the Institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

    Access to Qualification:
    A Bachelor of Science Honours Degree.
    Or
    A 480 Credit relevant Bachelor's Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    In addition to compulsory course work for 90 Credits, a research dissertation for 90 Credits must be produced at the appropriate level to be awarded the Master of Philosophy: Clinical Pharmacology.

    Course Work:
  • Principles of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics, 10 Credits.
  • Drug Development, 20 Credits.
  • Drug Assays, 30 Credits.
  • Pharmacometrics, 30 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to clinical pharmacology, including drug development, to be able to critique and evaluate current research in the relevant area.
  • Range: Drug development, Pharmacometrics, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics.
    2. Identify, analyse and deal with complex and real world problems in a clinical environment, drawing systematically and creatively on the theory, research methods and literature of the discipline.
    3. Participate in scholarly debates in the chosen area of specialisation and be able to relate theory to practice and vice versa and to think epistemologically.
    4. Apply advanced information retrieval and processing skills; identification, critical analysis, synthesis and independent evaluation of quantitative and/or qualitative data.
    5. Undertake a study of the literature and current research under supervision in the chosen area of specialisation.
    6. Apply the research methods, techniques and technologies appropriate to clinical pharmacology to undertake a research project and write up a research dissertation under supervision.
    7. Produce a dissertation which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing and present/communicate the results of the research to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using the resources of an academic/professional discourse.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    This qualification enables all the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes to be addressed. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are generic and are applicable to some or all of the given Exit Level Outcomes:
  • A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in clinical pharmacology with specialist knowledge of professional practice in this discipline is demonstrated.
  • Relevant and recent literature on the research topic is gathered from a wide variety of sources and critically evaluated in terms of relevance and recent trends in technologies, techniques, models and theories.
  • Various models, principles and theories in the chosen field are critically analysed, evaluated and discussed in the literature review.
  • A research proposal is compiled and presented in accordance with the faculty research policies and procedural criteria.
  • Appropriate research design and methodology are selected, described and justified in terms of the research problem.
  • Medical and research ethics and legal issues pertinent to research in technology are critically reflected on, included in the proposal and adhered to during the research process.
  • Data is gathered using the selected methodology.
  • Data is analysed using the relevant statistical or other tools.
  • Research results are critically analysed, evaluated and discussed.
  • The research dissertation is written up and presented according to specified criteria.
  • Information technology is applied effectively in the production of the research dissertation/report.
  • Language and numeracy skills are applied effectively and correctly in clearly communicating the research problem, its investigation, the outcome, and the recommendations.
  • Findings are communicated to a professional audience through oral/poster presentations and/or institutional seminars and/or publications.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The evaluation process includes an internal and external evaluation as well as a self-evaluation process.

    Students will be assessed through a combination of approaches including final examinations, individual assignments and impromptu tests during lectures. The students will also be expected to submit research reports for assessment. Examinations will be both internally and externally moderated. For internal moderation, all examination papers will be given to an internal lecturer with expertise in the subject area to moderate. Once the examination papers have been taken and graded, an external examiner will be required to examine the papers and file a report to the examination board. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    In terms of the required research component, as well as the theoretical knowledge and practical application at the required level, this qualification complies with international best practice by meeting the accepted norms for a Master's Degree. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Master of Philosophy Degrees at NQF Level 9.

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Doctoral Degree at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Internal moderation of all assessment is carried out by the academic staff of the institution. All moderators must be qualified at least at one NQF Level higher than that of the qualification being assessed. External moderation of assessment is performed by suitably qualified persons from recognised institutions who are experienced in the relevant field. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    All assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at least one NQF Level higher than that of this qualification.
    All assessors should have practical experience in the areas being assessed and should preferably have practical experience in the areas being assessed. 

    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. University of Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.