FARMA1110 General Chemistry Course description

The course focuses on chemistry as a basis for the pharmacy disciplines. The course covers general theories and principles of chemistry, which is elucidated in a laboratory course.

Subjects covered by the course, with credits specified:

• General chemistry 10 credits

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 general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• is capable of describing periodic trends in the main groups of the periodic system and explain intermolecular and intramolecular forces
• is capable of describing the physical properties of liquids, gases, solutions and solid matter
• is capable of explaining redox reactions and chemical reactions in hydrous environments
• is capable of explaining the principles of thermodynamics and the relationship between thermodynamics, electrochemistry and chemical equilibrium
• is capable of explaining the main principles of reaction kinetics and its relationship with equilibrium
• is familiar with the functional groups in organic molecules

Skills

The student is capable of

• carrying out stoichiometric and concentration calculations
• conducting, interpreting and presenting experimental data from selected chemical experiments
• carrying out equilibrium calculations and anticipating the effects of external influences on systems in equilibrium
• carrying out acid-base calculations, including buffer calculations

General competence

The student

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

The students will specialise in a research project based on a chosen research question from the field of pharmacy. The students will gain practical experience of research and develop their skills in using a chosen research method. Work on the bachelor’s thesis is centred on the selected research question and analysis and discussion of the student’s own research results, but it must also include an assessment of the student’s results in relation to publications in the relevant field.

The student must have passed all the courses from the first year of study and may lack a maximum of one passed course from the second year.

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

Knowledge 

The student 

• has knowledge of research work in a selected area in the field of pharmacy
• can describe key scientific methods and different research designs
• is familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the research method applied in his/her own project
• can explain research ethics aspects of his/her own project

Skills 

The student 

• can apply research-based knowledge to plan and carry out a methodical and academic project in cooperation with others
• can obtain relevant subject matter and integrate it with his/her own knowledge of the field in his/her project work
• can describe, analyse and discuss the research question and results of the project in relation to other published scientific work
• can carry out independent source searches and use references and source references in a consistent and correct manner
• can discuss, assess and argue for his/her own opinions by taking on the role of both opponent and respondent 

General competence  

The student 

• can combine academic knowledge and relevant results from research and development work in a written thesis
• can reflect orally and in writing on academic and scientific issues 

Work and teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and group sessions.

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 lecturers will propose various topics for the thesis, and the students choose a topic based on their field of interest. The bachelor’s thesis is written in groups of between three and six students and is carried out as supervised group work. The supervisor must approve the project plan. Students are offered up to 12 supervisory sessions per thesis. If the thesis includes laboratory work, more supervision is given to ensure that the activity in the lab is conducted safely.

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

• Minimum attendance of 80% at concluding seminars with oral presentations

1) A written thesis in groups of 3-6 students. For groups of 3-4 students, the scope of the thesis should be approx. 10,000 words (+/- 10%) and for groups of 5-6 students, approx. 12,000 words (+/- 10%). The thesis can be written in either English or Norwegian.

2) Individual oral exam of up to 30 minutes Students can take the oral exam in either English or Norwegian.

The written thesis must be awarded a grade of A-E in order for the student to take the oral exam. A preliminary grade is awarded for the written thesis. The final grade is set after the oral exam. The grade can be adjusted up or down by one grade based on the oral exam.        

Students can appeal the grade awarded for the written part of the exam.

Resit exam: If the bachelor’s thesis is awarded the grade F (fail), the student will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.