FARB1100 General Chemistry Course description

This course focuses on basic chemistry as a basis for the pharmacy disciplines. The course comprises general chemical theories and principles.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can describe trends in the main groups of the periodic system and explain intermolecular and intramolecular forces
• can describe the physical properties of liquids, gases, solutions and solid matter
• can explain reactions of organic and inorganic acids and bases, redox reactions and precipitation
• can explain the principles of thermodynamics and the relationship between thermodynamics, electrochemistry and chemical equilibrium
• can explain the main principles of reaction kinetics
• can describe the functional groups in organic molecules

Skills

The student

• can carry out stoichiometric and concentration calculations
• can conduct selected chemical experiments, and interpret and present experimental data generated from them
• can carry out equilibrium calculations and anticipate the effects of external influences on systems in equilibrium
• can carry out acid-base calculations, including buffer calculations
• can demonstrate safe conduct at the laboratory and can work in accordance with the regulations for health, safety and the environment (HSE)

General competence

The student

• can demonstrate an understanding of general chemistry as a basis for the pharmacy disciplines

The work and teaching methods comprise lectures, seminars, group work and a laboratory course. Digital learning resources are an important part of the teaching activities. Practical skills are acquired through laboratory work. The students must complete pre-lab and a safety course before they can start the laboratory course. The laboratory course also includes written tests. By alternating between theory and practice, the programme helps the students to develop their ability to cooperate and work independently.

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Minimum attendance of 80% at laboratory courses.
• Minimum attendance of 80% at seminars with supervised group work.
• Laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria.
• Completed three written digital tests.
• Completed safety training before participating in the laboratory course.

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours.

The master's thesis is a final independent, limited research project that shall be based on the knowledge, skills and competence the student has acquired during the programme. Preparations for work on the master's thesis should begin at an early stage of the programme but is attended to mostly in the fourth semester. The master's thesis is an independent project in groups of two-three students. Students may be allowed, on application, to write an individual thesis.

The master's thesis should be an analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the programme. The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be of either a theoretical or an empirical nature. The master's thesis is submitted in the form of a monograph.

Language of instruction is Norwegian and English.

All compulsory courses included in the master's degree and all three elective courses - total 90 ECTS - must be passed before the student may submit the master's thesis for assessment.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of entrepreneurship
• in-depth knowledge of theories relevant to the topic of the master's thesis
• in-depth insight into a topic or phenomenon seen from different perspectives
• in-depth knowledge, and application of academic requirements for analysis and written production

Skills

The student is capable of

• delimiting a larger topic or phenomenon and making it the subject of research
• selecting and using one or more methods to explore the problem of the master's thesis
• developing a design for an empirical study
• analysing a data material using theoretical perspectives and concepts
• carrying out a systematic and critical analysis, applying key research principles and providing a clear academic presentation of the results
• assessing research ethics issues related to their own project

General competence

The student can

• read research literature critically and reflectively
• assess issues related to research ethics
• disseminate knowledge and their own research results
• apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on the master's thesis

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A project plan of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent) must be approved before work on the master’s thesis begins in the fourth semester. The project plan must describe the literature, the research question and the plan for the thesis. It also forms the basis for the assignment of an academic supervisor.
• Coursework 2: Attending a first mandatory seminar in the beginning of the fourth semester.
• Coursework 3: Attending a second mandatory seminar later in fourth semester.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the project plan is not approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.