ERGO1000 Health, Activity and Activity Analysis Course description

Occupational therapy is based on the premise of activity and participation in daily life being of great significance to people´s health and quality of life. The course provides an introduction to the practical, theoretical and historical basis for the subject. Activity analysis is a key method of finding the link between individuals, activity and surroundings.

The health professions are based on common values in which a holistic view of people and respect for their integrity are emphasised, as well as the user's autonomy and right of co-determination. Ethics, communication, philosophy of science and cultural diversity in the Norwegian health sector is integrated in the course.

The course consists of the following subject areas from the national curriculum, specified below as the number of credits:

• Ideas, theory and experience, (3 ECTS)
• Philosophy of science and research methodology (1,5 ECTS)
• Rehabilitative work (1 ECTS)
• Therapeutic work (1 ECTS)
• Sociology and social anthropology (1 ECTS)
• Psychology and pedagogy, communication, interaction and conflict work (5,5 ECTS)
• Ethics (1 ECTS)

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing occupational theories; occupational science, the right to activity and participation, activities in daily life and how roles and culture affect activity identity
• describing the following models that elucidate the connections between human beings, activity and surroundings: International classification of function, disability and health (ICF) and Model of Human Occupation (MOHO)
• demonstrating knowledge of research and development in occupational sciences
• describing the history and development of occupational therapy
• describing different perspectives on health, disease and disability
• describing psychological theory and the connection between motivation and Learning
• explaining the importance of good communication in the exercise of occupational therapy
• describing theory of ethics, professional ethics, and professional ethical guidelines
• describing philosophy of science and research traditions in the health sciences
• describing the levels of administration in the health service, and relevant laws and regulations

Skills

The student is capable of

• skilfully using activity analysis; forms of activity and carrying out activity
• discussing the material, physical, social and cultural importance of surroundings for activity and participation and applying universal design principles
• giving grounds for methodological use of activity
• finding relevant articles and conveying the content in writing or orally to fellow students and lecturers

Competence

The student is capable of

• showing others respect and being process- and goal-oriented when cooperating on group assignments
• applying a creative design process to solve group assignments
• adapting their ways of communicating when encountering users and acting in accordance with ethical guidelines

The course covers organic chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, microbiology and certain topics in the general chemistry field. Students require basic knowledge of these topics as a basis for acquiring more advanced knowledge later in the programme. The different subject areas covered by the course overlap and it is emphasised that these must be seen in conjunction with each other.

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Biochemistry 9,5
• Cell biology 4
• Organic Chemistry 3
• Microbiology 1,5
• Genetics 2

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge and skills:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• describing the structure, function and metabolism of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• giving examples of how factors relating to cell biology can affect health and disease
• describing the structure and reaction mechanisms of selected organic substances
• describing the structure and properties of important biological macromolecules
• describing the function of enzymes as biological catalysts
• describing principles of basic genetics and is familiar with the relationship between genetics and disease
• describing similarities and differences between bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• describing selected methods to determine biological macromolecules

Skills

The student is capable of

• using selected methods to determine biological macromolecules
• performing basic investigations to identify different bacteria
• determining the phenotype of certain blood types systems
• conducting basic gene technology analyses
• calibrating pipettes

Teaching methods include lectures supplemented by group work and practical laboratory exercises.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• a minimum of 90% attendance in practical laboratory work
• a minimum of 80% attendance in scheduled group work
• individual written test in organic chemistry, up to 2 hours
• laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

Exam content: The learning outcomes

Exam form: Individual written exam, 5 hours