Complementary medicine degrees slated

There has been an overall increase in applications to university, with spectacular increases in applications for subjects such as complementary medicine [31.5%] - but some critics of the courses have come out strongly against them - "...cashing in on people's wishful thinking when there is no evidence that complementary medicine works. They might as well offer degrees in astrology." said a professor of pharmacology, "scandalously unacademic" according to another professor of complementary medicine research. I have mixed feelings. Personally, I think there is a call for complementary medicine, but the students I see from a neighbouring university who have taken their degree in alternative therapies, do find it hard to find employment, and even when they are self employed, many have to do other work as well to supplement their incomes. Perhaps it is just a case of the older, more research led universities looking down at the courses being offered to fill gaps in the market by the newer universities - but all universities need to fill their spaces - and by offering what the customer wants, the newer universities are reaping the financial rewards - and students are customers...

http://www.thes.co.uk/current_edition/story.aspx?story_id=2037637