Master on Herbal Medicines and Food Suplements

General Objectives of the Course

The course aims to provide advanced training and specialize graduates and healthcare professionals in herbal medicines and other health products, plant-based dietary supplements, nutraceuticals and functional foods of plant origin. It should provide the opportunity for the student to acquire and deepen knowledge and skills to understand: the composition of plant materials, in particular, micronutrients and metabolites with biological or functional activity; the physico-chemical principles of the production of vegetable preparations; the regulatory bases for
registration and marketing of herbal medicines, medical devices and dietary supplements; critical points related to quality assessment and assurance; and acquire skills to carry out studies on plant hues applied to quality assessment; and assess the effectiveness/safety and cost/benefit relationships in disease prevention and the basis for rational use.

Admission Requirements

Degree in any area of Health Sciences or Life Sciences; academic or professional record considered as relevant and suitable by the Scientific council of the Faculty.

Candidates should check the admission requirements available on this site, in addition to the information provided here.

Professional Goals

Specialization for holders of graduation degrees in Health Sciences or Life Sciences, as well as accredited professionals: Pharmacists in office in pharmaceutic or food industries, community or hospital pharmacy; medical doctors and practiciens; nurses; nutritionists.

Mode of Study

After work, Friday afternoon and Saturday and b-learning

Teaching / Evaluation language(s)

Portuguese/ English

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Assessments and grading in accordance with Regulamento Académico da Universidade de Coimbra (Regulamento n.º 805-A/2020 DR 2ª Série N.º 187 de 24/09/2020) and of the Rules for assessments of the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Learning Objectives and Intended Skills

The graduates should be able to autonomously:
- identify the active substances of plant materials and preparations, recognize their therapeutic or health-promoting potential;
- to advise, or advise against, on the use of these products in the context and limits of their professional competences.
- to inform and educate about the rational use of herbal medicines, medical devices and food supplements made of herbal substances and herbal functional foods;
- to intervene, within the scope of their professional skills, in any of the stages of production, analysis, storage and dispensing of vegetable preparations, as well as interpreting the indicators and quality references and guidelines)
- to apply critical sense, expose the grounds for a research proposals and outline a scientific work plan.

Course Coordinator(s)

Angelina Lopes Simões Pena
angelina.pena@ci.uc.pt

Lígia Maria Ribeiro Pires Salgueiro da Silva Couto
ligia@ff.uc.pt

ECTS Departmental Coordinator(s)

Ana Cláudia Paiva Santos
acsantos@ff.uc.pt

António José Ribeiro
aribeiro@ff.uc.pt

Carla Sofia Pinheiro Vitorino
uc40743@uc.pt

Ricardo António Esteves de Castro
rcastro@ff.uc.pt

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of previous studies or professional experience based on curricular
analysis and further support documents. Assessment and creditations fall within the competences of the Scientific council of the Faculty.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

Decree-Law No. 74/2006, of March 24, in the current wording

Graduation Requirements

120 ECTS approval.

Access to Further Studies

Access to 3rd Cycle courses.

Study Programme

Medicamentos e Suplementos Alimentares à Base de Plantas

Academic year
2024-2025

Course Type
2nd Cycle Studies - Advanced Specialisation Master Programme

DGES Code: MD52

Qualification Awarded: Mestre

Duration: 4 Semester(s)

ECTS Credits: 120.0

Category: Advanced specialization second cycle

Applications

Call for Applications

2nd Cycle Course

Calendar

1st Semester: Start date: 30-09-2024
End date: 31-01-2025
2nd Semester: Start date: 03-02-2025
End date: 22-05-2025

Accreditations

Agência de Avaliação e Acreditação do Ensino Superior: 2022-07-31 a 2028-07-31
Direcção Geral de Ensino Superior: Nº Registo: R/A-Cr 122/2022; 2022-07-11