Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines
Program objectives
The program is designed to provide advanced scientific and pharmaceutical education and the clinical application of herbal medicines. It aims to integrate traditional medicine knowledge and modern pharmacognosy and pharmacology.
Areas of study
Areas of study include: traditional western and Chinese medicine; herbal chemistry and analysis; pharmacognosy; basic and clinical pharmacology of commonly used Chinese and western herbs; regulation of herbal medicines.
Who is the program aimed at?
The program is aimed at pharmacists, complementary medicine and chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists, medical practitioners and herbal industry professionals and managers.
Career destinations
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 and acupuncture background will extend their scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge underpinning the clinical application of and dispensing of Chinese herbal medicines and skills necessary to dispense herbs safely in the regulatory context. Graduates from other scientific disciplines will gain and expand their knowledge and skills necessary for work in manufacturing, teaching and the research areas of herbal medicines.
Admission requirements
Admission normally requires a Bachelor's degree in pharmacy, medicine, nursing, science, Chinese medicine, complementary medicine, veterinary science, agriculture or other appropriate disciplines from the University of Sydney or other approved institutions.
Student testimonials
Joyce Lai is a registered pharmacist, having completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney in 1998. She commenced the Master of Herbal Medicines in 2003. "I believe that the skills and knowledge that I gain from the Master of Herbal Medicines will be increasingly relevant to my career as a pharmacist. Since I started working in a community pharmacy 3 years ago, I have noticed a significant rise in the number of people asking for advice on taking herbal medicines. Before I started the program I knew very little about herbal products and was unable to give advice to my customers. In the space of one semester I feel that I have extended my knowledge in herbal medicines considerably. I have learnt about the pharmacology of herbal medicines, the interaction between herbal and conventional medicines and the safety issues relating to the herbal medicine industry and practice. I have particularly enjoyed the medicinal botany unit in which we have had the opportunity to study flowers at the Botanic Gardens. The practical aspect of this unit has helped me to learn and retain information about medicinal plants. The program requires hard work and dedication but I have no doubt that it is worth it!"
Course fees
Total number of credit points required for award of degree: 36
Local student tuition fee $495 per credit point
Fees quoted are for tuition costs only and are applicable in 2010. The University’s tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study. The exact tuition fee for your course may depend on the specific units of study in which you enrol.
International student tuition fee: $695 per credit point
Fees quoted are for tuition costs only and are applicable in 2010. The University’s tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be varied during the period of study. The exact tuition fee for your course may depend on the specific units of study in which you enrol.
Program structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines candidates must complete 36 credit points of coursework. At least 18 credit points must be earned from core units. Flexibility is allowed for electives, however there are recommended electives for each stream. The program normally involves 1 year of fulltime or 1.5 years of part-time study. Fulltime students can complete 4 units of study per semester by attending 12 hours (four evenings) of lectures or tutorials per week. Part-time students tend to complete 2 units of study per semester by attending 6 hours (two evenings) of lectures or tutorials per week. Students are also required to carry out literature searches, excursions, assignments and other self-directed study in their own time. Assessment methods include written and oral examinations, assignments and practical work. The Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines is articulated with the Master of Herbal Medicines and the Graduate Certificate in Herbal Medicines. Coursework undertaken, therefore, for the Graduate Certificate may be counted towards credit points required for the Graduate Diploma and similarly coursework undertaken for the Graduate Diploma may be counted towards credit points required for the Masters. Transfer from the Graduate Certificate to the Graduate Diploma and from the Graduate Diploma to the Masters program is subject to the approval of the program coordinator.
To view the standard progression of the units of study for the Graduate Diploma in Herbal Medicines click here