FARB2100 Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Science Course description

The bachelor’s program in psychology with an emphasis on behavior analysis is a 3-year full time program (180 ECTS). A completed program earns the degree of Bachelor in Psychology with an Emphasis on Behavior Analysis.

The program is regulated by lov om universiteter og høgskoler av 1. april 2005 nr. 15 § 3-2 og § 3-3 (Law of universities and university colleges) and forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet- storbyuniversitetet av 01.08.12 (Regulations for studies and exams at OsloMet). There is no national framework for this program.

The program is accredited by The Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), the international organization for research and application of behavior analysis.

The program also meets the requirements for pre-qualification in certification by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BCBA®) as Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs).

The overall objective of the program is to give the student basic competence in psychology and behavior analysis so that the student is able to analyze behavior and arrange the environment around individuals to promote and maintain the desired behavior change.

Students must learn a precise conceptual framework, read relevant research literature, and actively participate in discussions in the behavior analytic community to achieve these competencies. Through these activities, students will also acquire robust knowledge about ethical and professional standards in the field.

The Department of Behavioral Science has a strong scientific community within a natural scientific tradition, and an evidence-based approach to learning. Faculty members are part of well-developed professional scientific networks, nationally and internationally, and cooperate extensively on research. Graduates from the bachelor’s program may continue with master’s and Ph. D. studies in the department.

Relevance to further studies

A bachelor’s degree Bachelor in Psychology with an Emphasis on Behavior Analysis is an excellent starting point for further studies, such as master’s programs in psychology or behavioral science/behavior analysis.

Psychology and behavior analysis are also god combinations with a number of other disciplines, such as pedagogics, health sciences, economics, management and HR, and other social sciences*.

*When graduates apply for further studies, the institution they apply to sets the bar for admission.

Relevance to working life

Graduates of the program have knowledge, skills and general competencies in psychology and behavior analysis. They can work with organizing, planning and implementation in processes of change within knowledge-based organizations in public sector and private enterprise, independently or with others. They can work with change processes at the level of the individual, or with group- and organization-level processes.

In work areas where prevention, treatment and teaching are important issues, documenting the efforts one makes is increasingly important. Methods in such work must be grounded in well-established theory, and predicting the effect of interventions is important both at the level of the individual and for society. The program will be useful for those who wish to affect processes of change. There is increasing demand for knowledge about learning and psychology both in public and private organizations.

The bachelor’s program has two practicum placements of 9 weeks each, to give students the opportunity for working on their own and with others on change processes in general, and specifically in treatment and training. The program complies with the requirement from Norway’s Health Directorate of 30 ECTS of supervised practicum, and candidates qualify for milieu therapists’ positions.

The program is designed for persons who want a bachelor’s degree where behavior analysis is emphasized. The program will help students develop basic discipline competence through education in a behavioral scientific research and practice community. Students will acquire knowledge, skills and values that qualify for further education in a relevant master’s programme, and for work positions in which these qualifications are relevant.

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 the structure and function of biological barriers
• can explain the function of relevant ancillary substances in pharmaceutical preparations
• is capable of explaining factors that can limit the bioavailability of active ingredients and influence the biopharmaceutical properties of pharmaceuticals
• can explain the choice of active ingredients, formulation and route of administration in connection with pharmaceutical development
• can give grounds for how the durability and conditions for storage of pharmaceuticals are determined
• is capable of assessing the use of different pharmaceutical formulations based on a patient’s condition and needs

Skills

The student

• can discuss principles of pharmaceutical formulation based on information from summaries of product characteristics (SPC) and any other relevant pharmaceutical reference works
• masters basic skills in aseptic work technique and sterilisation procedures
• can assess whether a pharmaceutical batch is consistent with specific quality requirements
• can present an allocated relevant topic to fellow students

General competence

The student

• can apply knowledge to identify innovative formulations and critical stages of the development and production of pharmaceuticals
• can familiarise him/herself with the principles of formulation for new pharmaceuticals
• can assess possibilities for individual adaptation of pharmaceutical formulation to create the best possible health at the individual level
• has a conscious relationship to the choice of own formulation and routes of administration
• has an understanding of the role of the pharmacist in pharmaceutical development and production

Working methods in the program are varied, to familiarize students with different ways of working to learn. Students will then become aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, and improve their relational and professional skills. Lectures; interteaching; seminars; group tasks; written submissions; lab exercises and practical exercises; and practicum placements, are all working and teaching methods used during the program. Digital teaching, digital meetings and media software are used in the different courses.

Some topics will not be covered by lectures, and students are expected to acquire the relevant knowledge from self-directed study activities.

Student-active teaching methods are emphasized, and students get prompt and individual feedback on their work.

Working methods in the program are varied, to familiarize students with different ways of working to

Lectures

Lectures are primarily used to introduce new material, present overviews of topics, and to emphasize and provide coherence between main elements in a topic. Lectures will also present especially demanding parts of the required readings.

Interteaching

Interteaching means that students read up on course literature and discuss the topic in groups, while instructors circulate to help resolve difficult questions. Questions to and answers from the course instructor conclude the sessions. This is a form of flipped classroom that promotes student preparation and participation during class.

Seminars

The university organizes seminars in relation to certain topics and issues. In the seminars, students will develop and get feedback on their collaboration skills, in addition to learning the relevant content. Oral student presentations and discussions are a main feature of the seminars, and students can train their communication skills. Course instructors provide guidance and feedback during the seminars.

Group work

Working on problems and tasks together with others promotes cooperation between students, and supports the learning of course content.

During the first year of study, teaching assistants recruited from the department’s institute lead organized group work. The teaching assistants are familiar with the program and its working methods, and help students adapt to their role.

Practical exercises and practicum placements

For several courses, practical exercises provide an important form of learning. Important skills are practiced on campus in advance of the placements, to ensure that students have required theoretical knowledge and satisfactory basic skills before they attempt practical application. Important arenas for behaviour change, such as kindergartens and schools, are especially relevant as placements. Confer also Vurdering i praksisstudier.

Written assignments and the bachelor’s thesis

Through written assignments and the bachelor’s thesis, students develop topics to work on over time, individually or with others. This will teach theory, and develop skills in sourcing, analysis, discussion, and communication in writing. The main objectives are to develop skills of critical reflection, of seeing theoretical elements as integrated wholes, and of developing deeper understanding of a topic. Written work requirements are submitted electronically, and students receive individual, written feedback on their work.

Self-study

Students are responsible for the content of course readings, and must expect to learn it from self-paced reading. Some topics are not covered by teaching activities. Required course readings include textbooks with ample digital resources, allowing students to monitor their own progression. For some courses, the department has developed digital resources. Lecture hours are kept at a fairly low level, to give students time for self-directed study and self-organized colloquium work. Colloquia function without teachers, and serve to support the learning of fellow students as well as one’s own.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification is required for admission, confer Forskrift om opptak til høyere utdanning (Regulation for admission to higher education). Applicants over 25 years of age who cannot document Higher Education Entrance Qualification may be considered on the basis of prior learning and work experience. There exist specific criteria for such admissions.

The admission requirement is Higher Education Entrance Qualification for students who wish to take courses in the program that do not have previous knowledge requirements. Applications will be considered on an individual basis.

A police certificate of good conduct must be presented upon application to the program, cf. Forskrift om opptak til høyere utdanning (Regulation for admission to higher education).

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

• Minimum attendance of 90% in the laboratory course in the production of pharmaceuticals subject to sterility requirements
• Individual practical test in the production of pharmaceuticals subject to sterility requirements, up to 2 hours

If the practical test is not approved, arrangements will be made for another attempt before the ordinary exam. Approval is required in order for the student to be able to take the ordinary exam. Students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled exam. ;If a piece of required coursework is not approved, this may lead to delayed progress in the programme.;

Supervised individual written exam, 4 hours

Calculators, all types

Grade scale A-F

All exams are assessed by two examiners. At least 30% of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all the students.

• 10 credits overlap with the course FARMA2120 Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Science