You can get a B.Sc degree in Homeopathy

[ZapperZ]

It's true. You can get a degree in homeopathy if you're in the UK.

http://www.nature.com/news/2007/070319/full/446352a.html

However, don't expect that you can scrutinize the course material in advance, though.

Zz.

 

[Milo Hobgoblin]

ROFL.

the problem here would be getting a JOB with that degree...

I guess GNC might be hiring..

 

[Ivan Seeking]

There are many physicians here in the US who are also homeopaths.

 

[Moonbear]

This is pretty scary that they're legitimizing homeopathy. It's complete nonsense...they're giving you water, so unless your illness is due to dehydration, it's not going to do anything.

I was hoping that reading the article would reveal it was just a confusion on the part of the writer between alternative or naturopathic medicine and homeopathy, but it is clear they know the difference when writing about it. There are naturopathic schools that do teach all the same basic science courses as allopathic medical schools, but focus more on natural remedies, including educating the students more about what they treat, what the side effects are, how to dose them, and which ones actually work, as well as knowing when it is appropriate to make a referral to an allopathic practitioner. My understanding of those is that they aren't so much hocus pocus but more making sure there are people who really understand how these herbal remedies work in order to guide people who are going to insist on using them anyway. But, homeopathy is completely baseless.

If they won't share what coursework is included in their curriculum, however, then the degree is totally worthless anyway. Who would hire someone when they don't even know what they were taught?

 

[Ivan Seeking]

oooops, naturopaths. I did have the two confused I think.

 

[Moonbear]

oooops, naturopaths. I did have the two confused I think.

It's a common confusion, which is why I try to point it out when I can. One has scientific basis to it (naturopathic medicine), although, not for every remedy advertised (there is still a good deal of "snake oil" out there, which is where a lot of the problem lies and why education is important), even if sometimes practiced recklessly (no, it's not totally safe and harmless just because it's natural), the other has no basis (homeopathy).

 

[Integral]

My cousin has a degree in one of those (homeopathy or naturopathy) she is working in a large hosipital in the Portland area.

Note that uncertianty in my knowledge of her degree is an indication of my comfort with the field. i.e. I get quesy and my mind wanders very time I hear a reference to her "degree".

 

[Moridin]

Wonder if I can combine that with by Master in feng shui and doctorate in 9/11 conspiracies

 

[EL]

This is just horrible. Excuse me for being cynical, but why can't some people just think?
Degree in homeopathy... why not give out grades in astrology, intelligent design, chi, aura photography, acupuncture and cryptozoologi at the same time?

 

[brewnog]

Good job these degrees are being awarded by reputable British institutions.


Oh no, wait.

 

[EL]

Universities giving out such degrees should loose the right to call themselves "university".

 

[matthyaouw]

Polytechnics I'll bet...

 

[turbo]

It's true. You can get a degree in homeopathy if you're in the UK.

When I was in a very demanding (physically) job, I had employed the services of an osteopathic doctor who was pretty good at helping me reduce back pain without drugs, surgery, etc. Then he started branching out into homeopathy, iridology, reflexology, and chelation therapy. I dropped that quack like a hot potato. I now see an MD but I have to keep reminding him that I won't take a pill for every thing he thinks is wrong with me. What is wrong with these people? I eat a healthier diet than anybody I know, don't smoke, avoid drugs, and exercise, yet if I show up at the doctor's office (a danger for me because I have very strong reactions to fragrances, including severe hypertension) with a BP of 140 over 90, the doctor is talking about reducing sodium intake and perhaps trying some pills. My dad has high BP and is overweight. He is also 81 years old, walks at least 5 miles a day, and can out-work most people half his age. If I was starting up a company fabricating parts of sheet metal (his specialty), I would hire him in a second, if only to give the younger hires something to shoot for.

 

[siddharth]

It's true. You can get a degree in homeopathy if you're in the UK.

And once you get the degree, why not look for a job at the official http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/" , set up by the ministry of silly wa .. , oops , ministry of health of the Govt of India?

It's pathetic that they label quackery as science, and have a department for that.

... why not give out grades in astrology?

Heck, why not give out a http://www.education.nic.in/circulars/astrologycurriculum.asp" ? Never underestimate the power of crazy politicians (redundant wording, i know)

 

[J77]

Good job these degrees are being awarded by reputable British institutions.


Oh no, wait.

Exactly, you could probably get a degree on anything these days -- if you serached google hard enough

They had a discussion about the BSc nature of the degree on BBC R4 this morning -- tho', there's no BBC site-story yet.

Interestingly, they said that some homeopathic medicines are so diluted it's just water -- if there is science in it, it's in the placebo effect.

Prince Charles is an advocate, mind. Which makes it... err... umm... splendid.

 

[mace2]

Some more discussion here if anyone's interested:
http://arstechnica.com/journals/science.ars/2007/03/21/homeopathy-being-taught-as-science"

Nobel Intent is a good journal too.

 

[J77]

Nobel Intent is a good journal too.

ahem.. website. Though it's an interesting discussion.

 

[mace2]

Web page journal. :P