FARB1400 Pharmaceutics and Drug Calculations Course description

The course provides an in-depth look at various methods of qualitative analysis and is suitable for students who wish to use qualitative methods in their master's thesis. A central theme is the power of language, and how various texts in the welfare state can be said to exercise power over the welfare state's "users". How a "client", "resident" or "patient" is presented in medical or social records can, for example, have a decisive impact on the person's future life. Students will receive training in practical analysis of concrete research material, either texts of various kinds, or qualitative interviews. The aim is to build up competence in research analysis, which will also be a useful preparation for the analysis process in the master's thesis.

Language of instruction is Norwegian. 

This course provides an introduction to professional practice in the field of pharmacy, and places pharmacy in the context of professional healthcare. The course includes fundamental knowledge about health professions, pharmaceuticals’ place in society and topics that form common reference points for practice of the different professions, such as laws and guidelines, critical ethical reflection skills, communication and interaction. The pharmacist’s professional practice will be elucidated with examples related to ethics, the duty of confidentiality and consent.

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

Knowledge 

The student 

• is familiar with the professional role of the pharmacist in a historical, current and future-oriented perspective
• is familiar with the role of pharmaceuticals in the health service in a national and global perspective
• can explain what characterises the concept of profession and what constitutes professional competence
• can explain ethical theory, ethical dilemmas and the importance of professional ethical guidelines
• can explain key concepts in the field of communication theory
• can explain the concept of culture and challenges related to intercultural communication
• can explain relevant laws and regulations
• is familiar with challenges in connection with pharmacological treatments and supervision of vulnerable patient groups, such as children, young people and the elderly
• can explain the pharmacy's position in the health services, including the development of health services in pharmacies
• is familiar with the use and limitations of different sources of information about pharmaceuticals
• is familiar with challenges related to the use of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements and plant-based pharmaceuticals

Skills 

The student can 

• use digital tools in group work with fellow students
• cooperate and communicate with people from different cultural backgrounds by being open and taking an interest

General competence  

The student  

• can identify and reflect on professional ethical dilemmas in the field of pharmacy and reflect on his/her own values and efforts in simple projects and tasks relevant to the profession
• can act with empathy and respect, and promote equality that promotes co-determination in process and target-oriented work
• can understand the importance of communication when encountering people from different cultural and social backgrounds

Subjects covered by the course, with credits specified:

• Drug calculations 1 credit
• Pharmaceutics 9 credits

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, study groups, project assignments and skills training in the form of laboratory assignments and workshops on drug calculations.

The flipped classroom method is used for parts of the course. Digital learning resources will be made available to students in advance, and the time they spend at the university will be used to work on assignments and group work.

The laboratory assignments elucidate physical-chemical principles and provide practical training in the pharmaceutics. A practical mock exam will be held at which the students are given individual feedback.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with. 

Oral exam in groups of 4-8 students, up to 60 minutes. Each student in the group will be assessed individually.

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner. 

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Marit Haldar 

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

• Ethics, profession, laws and guidelines 3 credits
• Communication and interaction 2 credits

• 9 credits overlap with the course FARMA1410 Pharmaceutical Technology.
• 1 credit overlaps with the course FARMA2400 Drug Calculations