Master of Herbal Medicine
Introduction
Postgraduate coursework programs in Herbal Medicine offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy include:
Master of Herbal Medicines
(MHerbMed) €’ Course code PC032
Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines
(GradDipHerbMed) €’ Course code PF002
Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines
(GradCertHerbMed) €’ Course code PG000
Results
The following mark ranges apply:
| Abbrev |
Grade |
Mark |
|---|---|---|
| HD | High Distinction |
85 - 100 |
| D | Distinction | 75 - 84 |
| CR | Credit | 65 - 74 |
| P | Pass | 50 - 64 |
| R | Satisfied requirements | |
| F | Fail | Below 50 |
| AF | Absent Fail |
Objectives
The Master of Herbal Medicines, Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines, and Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines are designed to provide health care professionals and science graduates with an advanced education encompassing scientific and pharmaceutical aspects of herbal medicines, and their clinical applications. Candidates will at the same time acquire systematic knowledge of traditional medicine.
The programs are suitable for postgraduate studies by pharmacists, practitioners and dispensers of complementary medicine and Chinese medicine, medical practitioners, science graduates and professionals who would like to specialise in herbal medicines manufacturing, government regulation and research.
Program outcomes
Graduates with a pharmacy or medical background will gain appropriate knowledge and skills to enable them to provide information and in-depth advice on herbal products in their practice.
Graduates with a traditional Chinese medicine or medical acupuncture background will extend their scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge underpinning the clinical application of Chinese herbal medicines, attain knowledge on the interaction between Western and Chinese medicine, and extend skills necessary to prescribe or dispense scheduled herbs safely in the regulatory context.
Graduates from other scientific disciplines will gain and/or expand their knowledge and further develop skills necessary for work in manufacturing, teaching and the research areas of herbal medicines.
Program requirements
The Herbal Medicines programs are available for both part-time and full-time study. However, international students are only permitted to enrol full-time.
The course consists of lectures, tutorials, laboratory practical, excursions, and assignment projects. There are approximately eight hours (two/three evenings) of lectures/tutorials per week during semester for part-time study and approximately sixteen hours (five evenings) of lectures/tutorials per week during semester for full-time study.
Extra hours are required to attend excursions, carry out literature searches, complete assignments and undertake other self-directed study. Honours students should be prepared to conduct their research at the university during the daytime in addition to attending classes in the evening.
Summary of requirements for full-time study
|
Program |
Credit points required |
Minimum time for completion |
Maximum time for completion |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Master of Herbal Medicines |
48 |
1 year |
2 years |
| Master of Herbal Medicines (honours level)* | 60 | 1.5 years | 2.5 years |
|
Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines |
36 |
1 year |
1.5 years |
|
Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines |
24 |
0.5 year |
1 year |
Summary of requirements for part-time study
|
Program |
Credit points required |
Minimum time for completion |
Maximum time for completion |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Master of Herbal Medicines |
48 |
2 years |
4 years |
| Master of Herbal Medicines (honours level)* | 60 | 2.5 years | 4 years |
|
Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines |
36 |
1.5 years |
3 years |
|
Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines |
24 |
1 year |
2 years |
* A dissertation is required for the Master of Herbal Medicine at honours level.
Course structure
The Master of Herbal Medicines program has four core units of study and seven electives, with the core units of study offered Monday to Thursday, and the elective units of study offered Monday to Friday. Full-time candidates are required to attend classes potentially for five days (evenings) per week, depending on electives chosen, but with a minimum of four days (evenings) per week. Flexibility is allowed for electives and students also have the option of choosing one unit of study from other disciplines within the university, or from another university, subject to approval by the course coordinator.
To be eligible to apply for the dissertation required for the Master of Herbal Medicines at honours level, students need an average weighted mark of at least 65 in 24 credit points of core unit coursework in Semester 1. A weighted average mark of 70 must be maintained in Semester 2. Approved students are then required to undertake a small supervised research project in herbal medicines and complete a formal dissertation component. The offer of a dissertation is subject to availability of staff and laboratory space.
At least 50 per cent of total credit points earned should be from core units. Flexibility is allowed for electives, however there are recommended electives for each stream. An elective unit of study may not be offered if a certain enrolment number is not reached.
Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours)
These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2000 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Resolutions of the Faculty, the University of Sydney (Student Appeals against Academic Decisions) Rule 2006 (as amended) and the Academic Board policies on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Course resolutions
1 Course codes
|
Code |
Course title |
|---|---|
|
PG000 |
Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines |
|
PF002 |
Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines |
|
PC032 |
Master of Herbal Medicines |
2 Attendance pattern
0.
The attendance pattern for these courses is full time (all students) or part time (domestic students only) according to candidate choice.
3 Embedded courses in this sequence
(2)
Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.
4 Admission to candidature
(1)
Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the following admissions criteria.
(2)
Admission to these courses requires a bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Chinese Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Science, Veterinary Science, Agriculture or equivalent from a recognised institution.
(3)
Admission to Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) requires a minimum weighted average mark of 65 in at least 24 credit points of the Master of Herbal Medicines.
5 Requirements for award
(2)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines a candidate must complete 24 credit points of units of study.
(3)
To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines a candidate must complete 36 credit points of units of study.
(4)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Herbal Medicines a candidate must complete 48 credit points of units of study.
(5)
To qualify for the award of the Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) a candidate must complete 48 credit points of units of study; successfully complete the unit of study HERB5560; and obtain a final weighted mark of at least 70 in the degree totalling 60 credit points.
6 Course transfer
0.
A candidate for the master's degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Dean, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.
7 Transitional provisions
(1)
These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January, 2011 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January, 2011 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.
(2)
Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2011 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement, provided that requirements are completed by 1 January, 2016. The Faculty may specify a later date for completion or specify alternative requirements for completion of candidatures that extend beyond this time.
Units of study: tables
Table 3: Postgraduate coursework programs in Herbal Medicine
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| HERB5550 Integrative Herbal Therapeutics |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| HERB5551 Botany and Herbal Chemistry |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| HERB5552 Herbal Pharmacology |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| HERB5553 Herbal Regulation and Dispensing |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| HERB5554 Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica |
6 | Semester 1 |
|
| HERB5555 Herbal Pharmaceutics and Analysis |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| HERB5556 Herbal Toxicology |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| HERB5557 Pharmacognosy |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| HERB5558 Clinical Studies and Monographs |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| HERB5559 Chinese Herbal Formulas and Processing |
6 | Semester 2 |
|
| * For Master of Herbal Medicines (honours level) | |||
| HERB5560 Dissertation |
12 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 Semester 1a Semester 1b Semester 2 Semester 2a Semester 2b |
| Unit of study | Credit points | A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition | Session |
|---|---|---|---|
| HERB5561 Introduction to Herbal Medicines |
6 |
Note: Department permission required for enrolment |
Semester 1 |
| * Non award course only | |||
Units of study: listings
HERB5550 Integrative Herbal Therapeutics
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 11 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 2 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study is designed for the healthcare practitioners who would like to extend their understanding in clinical applications of traditional herbal medicines. 'Integration' is the essence of this unit of study, linking and combining the knowledge and practice of Western and traditional medicine in the treatment of common diseases. The unit covers some common chronic diseases, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, asthma, rheumatism, prostate hypertrophy, menopausal syndrome, depression etc. The disease states based on the symptomology of Western medicines are extended towards the syndrome and holistic model of traditional medicines (Chinese, Western and Ayurvedic).
Textbooks
Quick Access, Professional Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements, Integrative Medicine Communications. 2000
HERB5551 Botany and Herbal Chemistry
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 12 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 4 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Medicinal botany is the study of the structure, morphology and taxonomy of medicinal plants. The objectives of the subject are to classify and identify medicinal plants, to ensure the safety and quality of herbal medicines by eliminating the confusion of herbal species, and to develop new resources of medicinal plants. Herbal chemistry comprises the study of extraction and separation, chemical properties, structure determination and biosynthesis pathways of chemical components in herbal medicines. The objective is to use both modern science and technology and traditional theory to study the relationship between chemical components and properties of herbal medicines.
Textbooks
Raven PH, Evert RF, Eichhorn SE. Biology of Plants. W.H. Freeman-Worth Publishers, 1999
HERB5552 Herbal Pharmacology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 12 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 3 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Herbal pharmacology is the study of the function and mechanism of action of herbal medicines with modern scientific methods. The objectives are: to understand pharmacological principles of herbal medicines which will help health-care practitioners to understand the prescribing of herbal medicines effectively; to understand the underlying nature of traditional medical theory; to provide data on pharmacodynamics and toxicology for new herbal products development. This subject will emphasise the pharmacological study of traditional herbal medicines. The pharmacology of each class of drugs is discussed in relation to traditional theories and classification of herbs.
Textbooks
Rang HP, Dale MM, Ritter JM. Pharmacology (4th Ed). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1999
HERB5553 Herbal Regulation and Dispensing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 9 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 2 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit of study covers the government legislation concerning products and practice of complementary medicines. This unit will help industry professionals to understand TGA Legislation to ensure that medicinal preparations are of acceptable quality, safety and efficacy, and for health-care practitioners to dispense herbal medicines safely. Topics in this unit of study will include: The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration; accreditation of complementary medicine practitioners; Registration and Listing of traditional or complementary medicines; GMP of herbal manufacturing; dispensing and quality management of herbal medicines, and quality use of medicines.
Textbooks
Guidelines for the Appropriate Use of Herbal Medicines, World Health Organisation, 1998
HERB5554 Chinese Medicine and Materia Medica
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 13 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 3 wks Assessment: Examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%). Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Basic Chinese medicine includes basic theory and its application in the four diagnosis methods, pattern differentiation methods, treatment principles and methods. The unit of study provides systematic knowledge on Chinese medicine and lays a solid foundation for further study on the materia medica and formulary of Chinese medicine. This unit will study the basic theory of Chinese materia medica and the origin, collection, property, function, and clinical application of Chinese herbs in Chinese medicine context. It bridges Chinese medicine theory, formulas and clinical practice. It also provides a foundation for modern herbal monographs.
Textbooks
Maciocia G.The Foundations of Chinese Medicine. Churchill Livingstone.1989
HERB5555 Herbal Pharmaceutics and Analysis
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 2 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 11 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 5 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Pharmaceutical technology of herbal medicines includes the study of formulation theory and manufacturing techniques, quality control and application of herbal products using methods of modern science and technology, combined with traditional medicine theory. The primary objective of pharmaceutical technology of herbal medicines is to formulate herbal medicines into dosage forms, and meet the requirements of quality, efficacy, safety and stability. Analysis of herbal medicines is the study of methods of chemical analysis, qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical components, chemical analysis of formulations. The objectives of this course are to develop an understanding of the underlying principles of the analytical methodology used in identifying and quantifying the main chemical components of herbal medicines, as well as contaminants and impurities, and to become familiar with the concepts of method validation and stability-indicating analysis as applied to herbal substances.
Textbooks
List PH, Schmidt PC. Phytopharmaceutical Technology. Boca Raton: CRC Press Inc, 1989
HERB5556 Herbal Toxicology
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 2 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 7 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 4 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Herbal toxicology deals with the theory and application of toxicology and safety aspects related to the herbal medicine industry and practice. Topics in this unit of study will include: mechanisms of toxicity, toxicological testing, toxicity of plants, adverse reactions, report mechanism for adverse reactions, contraindications and interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, scheduling of pharmaceutical and herbal medicines, list of toxic herbs.
Textbooks
Klaasen CD, Amdur MO & Doull J (eds).Casarett & Doull (eds). Toxicology: the Basic Science Of Poisons, (6th edn), McGraw-Hill. 2001
HERB5557 Pharmacognosy
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 2 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 9 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 3 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Pharmacognosy is the study of natural substances, principally plants, used in medicine. The current subject, pharmacognosy-identification of herbs focuses on the study of herbal identification and quality and development of new herbal resources. It utilizes experience of traditional medicine and theory and methods of modern sciences such as botany, zoology, and chemistry. It studies the origin, characteristics, microscopic characters, chemical components, physical and chemical properties of herbal medicines to ensure the quality of herbal materials and develop new resources.
Textbooks
Evans WC, Saunders WB. Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy (14th Ed). London: 1996
HERB5558 Clinical Studies and Monographs
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 2 Classes: 3 hrs/wk for 11 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 4 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
This unit has two modules with Module 1 covering the evaluation of clinical studies which refers to the amount of scientific and clinical literature on herbal medicines which is rapidly expanding. This subject will cover the quantitative aspects of study design, the extent and type of use of herbal medicines in world communities, evaluation of methodology of clinical trials, recent developments in clinical trials of herbal medicines in Australia and overseas and literature search training. Module 2 covers herbal monographs which is the information and application of common herbs and herbal preparations available in Australia. Topics will cover botanic description, traditional usage, chemical composition, pharmacology, therapeutic application, toxicity, clinical trial data, TGA regulatory status, and products in the market.
Textbooks
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans, National Health and Medical Research Council, 1999
HERB5559 Chinese Herbal Formulas and Processing
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 2 Classes: lectures 3 hrs/wk for 11 wks, practicals, tutorials, 3 hrs/wk for 3 wks Assessment: examinations (50%), assignments (25%), practical work (25%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
A formula of Chinese medicine is a preparation of a number of herbs for clinical use according to certain guidelines, on the basis of pattern differentiation and treatment methods. Formulary of Chinese medicine is based on the study of theory and application of formulae of Chinese medicine. Processing of Chinese medicine is a subject dealing with the theory, history and techniques of processing of Chinese materia medica, and the quality standard of processed herbs and the principles of processing. The objective of processing of Chinese herbal medicines is to maintain the quality of processed herbs, and ensure the safety and clinical efficacy of herbal medicines.
Textbooks
Barolet R & Bensky D. Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulae and Strategies. Eastland Press 1990
* For Master of Herbal Medicines (honours level)
HERB5560 Dissertation
Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr George Li Session: Semester 1,Semester 1a,Semester 1b,Semester 2,Semester 2a,Semester 2b Classes: Weekly meetings with coordinator and supervisor. Students are required to spend approx 24 hrs/wk on their project for one semester on a part-time basis Assessment: Research and dissertation of up to 20,000 words, or as a manuscript (approx. 3500 words). The manuscript should match the style and content of a nominated journal. The dissertation or manuscript should be bound and will be sent to two examiners. Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
To be eligible to apply for the Dissertation students need an average weighted mark of at least 65 in 24 credit points of core unit coursework in Semester 1. A weighted average mark of at least 70 must be maintained in Semester 2. Approved students are then required to undertake a small supervised research project in herbal medicines and complete a formal Dissertation component. The offer of Dissertation is subject to availability of staff and laboratory space. Students enrolled in the Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) will undertake a research project over half (full-time) to one semester (part-time students).This research project will involve a literature review, the development of a research proposal and protocol, obtaining ethics approval, and collection of data, and then preparation of a minor treatise under the supervision of a faculty staff member. Supervision will normally involve a 1hr/week meeting with the student's supervisor. Facilities and equipment appropriate to the research will be arranged within the faculty as needed. Students will be required to write a major treatise up to 20,000 words documenting an original research endeavour in the area of herbal medicines. Students will be expected to attend the Postgraduate Research Symposium and to present their research proposal and their ongoing work to peer review.
HERB5561 Introduction to Herbal Medicines
Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr G Li Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures 2 hrs/wk for 15 wks; tutorials and assignments, 2 hrs/wk for 1 wk Assessment: Examinations (50%), assignments (50%) Campus: Camperdown/Darlington Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) Day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
This unit of study is designed as a course for general practitioners to gain a fundamental understanding of the nature of traditional medicine and the evidence base for the application of Western herbal medicine to health management in the Australian context. The key focus is on the fundamental knowledge and literature evaluation skills in the management of common chronic conditions with common herbs, applying an integrative and evidence based approach. The topics to be covered are: 1. Introduction to herbal medicine: traditional medicine concepts, regulation, information sources, legal issues; 2. Quality assurance: identification, chemistry, manufacturing, quality control, standardisation, bioavailability between preparations and manufacturers, interpretation of the label; 3. Herbal science: pharmacology, clinical evaluation; 4. Toxicology and drug-herb interactions; 5. Herbal therapeutics: scientific and clinical evidence for the use of common herbs for chronic diseases.
Textbooks
Braun L. & Cohen M. Herbs & Natural Supplements: An Evidence Based Approach. Elsevier, Australia. 2010.
* Non award course only