Master of Herbal Medicines
For details of the Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours) click here
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
Justin Sinclair commenced the Master of Herbal Medicines program in 2003 having previously completed a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy) from University of New England in conjunction with an Advanced Diploma in Naturopathy, Diploma in Botanical Medicine, Diploma in Homoeopathy and Diploma in Nutrition from the Australasian College of Natural Therapies. "The program interested me as I have always wanted to learn more about traditional Chinese Medicine, its applications and theories. Furthermore, I wanted to expand upon the three years of herbal medicine study I had already taken. Even though just finishing my first semester now, it is amazing how similar the ideas and principles governing both Western and Eastern herbal medicine really are. I have learnt an awesome amount about traditional Chinese Medicine theory and have enjoyed this part immensely. Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis has also been very interesting and something I can easily integrate into the diagnostic skills I already possess from a Western herbal perspective. The two systems of herbal medicine are an excellent partnership, marrying together many components. The scientific aspect of the course thus far has also been challenging and very important. Learning about TLC, HPLC, MS and other investigative methods will prove very useful for further research or herb analysis in the future, and the chemistry of herbal medicines (structures, stereochemistry) is something that I have always wanted to learn more about. All in all, I can say that the education in the Master of Herbal Medicines course has been very well-rounded. The traditional Chinese Medicine component would be my favourite thus far, and I love how so many different practitioners from many different fields are my colleagues and enrich the learning experience with experience of their own. I would definitely recommend the program to others. Anyone wanting to learn more about herbal medicines and their applications in modern society would greatly benefit from this course."
Course fees
Total number of credit points required for award of degree: 48
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.
Course structure
To qualify for the Master of Herbal Medicines candidates must complete 48 credit points of coursework. There are four core units of study (24 credit points) that must be taken. Flexibility is allowed for elective units of study, however there are recommended electives for each stream. The program normally involves 1 year of fulltime or 2 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 Master of Herbal Medicines is articulated with the Graduate Diploma in 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 Master of Herbal Medicines click here
Master of Herbal Medicines (Honours)
To qualify for the Master of Herbal Medicines (Hons), candidates are required to complete 60 credit points (an additional 12 credit points after completion of Master of Herbal Medicines) and are required to write a dissertation. The Honours component adds an extra semester to the Masters component and students should be prepared to conduct their research at the university during the daytime in addition to attending classes in the evening.
To be eligible to apply for the dissertation required for the Master of Herbal Medicines (Hons), 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 availablility of staff and laboratory space.