Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Assistive Technology in Health Programme description

The Master’s Programme in Health and Technology with specialisations is a master’s degree with a scope of 120 credits in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master’s Degrees, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research. The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

The programme includes specialisations in assistive technology in health, biomedicine and radiography. The students will acquire in-depth knowledge in the chosen specialisation and will gain detailed knowledge of technology relating to the discipline covered by the specialisation. Through common courses across the specialisations, an overview is provided of technology developments in the field of health in general, of relevance to both the specialist and municipal health services, as well as for research. Students learn about innovation and entrepreneurship to create new solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration between public and private actors, and about how the implementation and use of technology affects the health sector, individuals, and society. The students will also become familiar with legislation that regulates health research, the collection and use of personal data and health data, and the use of human biological specimen. The programme will also address ethical challenges relating to the development and implementation of technology in the health context, and the importance of user participation will be highlighted and discussed.

A greater need for health and care services in the years ahead means that interdisciplinary cooperation and efficient use of technology will be important to maintain sustainable health services. The programme will contribute to a greater understanding of technology and enhanced technological skills in the field. The students will learn to communicate about their own discipline in a way others can understand, which is important to be able to contribute to interdisciplinary projects. Compulsory common courses and elective courses across specialisations foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the disciplines covered by the programme.

Specialisations

Applicants must choose and apply directly for the specialisation they wish to take when applying for the master’s programme. Different admission requirements apply to the specialisations; see more information under Admission requirements. Parts of the programme will include joint teaching, partly through compulsory common courses and partly through options across the specialisations. Some courses will be held jointly with other master’s degree programmes at OsloMet.

Students who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master in Health and Technology, with one of the following specialisations:

• Assistive Technology in Health
• Biomedicine
• Radiography

The name of the specialisation will be stated on the diploma alongside the name of the degree.

MAATH: Assistive Technology in Health

The specialisation emphasises assistive technology in health (ATH) (referred to as welfare technology in the Nordic countries) in an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and person-centred context, at both individual and system levels within specialist health services and municipal health and social services. ATH is aimed at promoting health and preventing illness through treatment and (re)habilitation to improve cost-effective and sustainable health and social services. Students learn how ATH can assist individuals in activity, participation, safety, dignity, and coping in everyday life. Examples of ATH include technical and orthopaedic aids, exoskeleton technology, smart home technology, robot assistants, GPS, technologies for activity and movement analysis, computer-controlled (bionic) prostheses and orthoses, and artificial intelligence. The specialisation emphasises knowledge and skills in developing, piloting, implementing, and evaluating complex interventions with ATH in collaboration between private and public actors. Students learn to analyse the interaction between humans, health, activity, participation, movement, and technology.

MABIO: Biomedicine

The biomedical field integrates natural sciences, technology, and health sciences, forming the foundation for medical diagnostics and treatment with a global health perspective. The specialisation in biomedicine is aimed at students seeking advanced knowledge and expertise in biomedical sciences. Students will explore the biological mechanisms underlying human health and disease, gaining a profound understanding of cellular and molecular processes. They will learn about relevant bioanalytical methods, laboratory diagnostic technology, statistics, and quality assurance of analytical methods through both theoretical instruction and practical laboratory work. The programme emphasises the development of critical thinking, ethical reflection, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

MARAD: Radiography

The specialisation emphasises the use of various technologies in medical radiation and the importance of these technologies in the health service to ensure synergies between technology and health. Students will choose one of two directions within radiography: conventional radiography or CT. The specialisation is practice-oriented and profession-oriented and is designed to meet increasing demands for expertise in diagnostics and treatment in connection with medical use of radiation. Students will gain in-depth expertise in optimisation and imaging, focusing on personalised examinations and forms of treatment.

Relevance to working life

Technological expertise is in demand in the health sector, and a Master’s Degree in Health and Technology can lead to many career opportunities in the public and private sectors alike. Possible fields of work and career paths in health and technology after completing the programme include:

• research, development of the field, and teaching
• advisory functions in the public administration, knowledge dissemination and counselling
• clinical or diagnostic work based on specialised expertise
• managerial positions in disciplines relating to health and technology
• innovation and implementation processes
• product and service development

Relevance to further education

Candidates with a Master’s Degree in Health and Technology are qualified to apply for admission to PhD programmes, including the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at OsloMet.

Students may apply for admission to the research programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences while taking the master’s programme. This is taken in parallel to and as an extension of the master’s programme. The research programme gives students advanced researcher expertise in addition to that provided during the ordinary master’s programme. Results from this research work may later, on application, form part of PhD-level work.

Sustainability

The 2030 Agenda is the UN’s plan of action for global sustainable development, specified as 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through global partnerships, the world must work together to end poverty and hunger, ensure good health and education for all and reduce climate change and inequality. Some of the goals can be achieved through the development and implementation of different technologies. The Master’s Programme in Health and Technology is particularly aimed at promoting good health and well-being (SDG3), quality education (SDG4), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), reduced inequality (SDG10) and partnership for the goals (SDG17).

The 17 SDGs must be seen as a whole, where each goal is seen in conjunction with the others. The purpose of the programme is to educate candidates who are active global citizens with knowledge of how technology contributes to sustainable health services, good health and an inclusive society for all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education, sexuality and functional ability.

Studenter kan dra på utveksling i 5. semester. Studenter som drar på utveksling, får profilen Internasjonal utveksling. Emnene som tas ved den utenlandske institusjonen, må forhåndsgodkjennes av instituttet.

Flere av studieprogrammets emner undervises på engelsk og benytter engelsk pensummateriell. I disse emnene er det lagt til rette for å kunne ta imot utenlandske studenter fra våre samarbeidsinstitusjoner i utlandet. De norske og internasjonale studentene vil arbeide sammen om oppgaver basert på både norske og internasjonale cases, og vil gjennom dette arbeidet opparbeide kompetanse og ferdigheter i å forstå internasjonale forhold og perspektiver. På denne måten skapes et internasjonalt miljø.

Students apply for and are admitted directly to the specialisation of their choice. The requirement for admission to the Master’s Programme in Health and Technology is a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree within a specified field, with an average grade of at least C. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places on the programme, applicants will be ranked according to applicable ranking rules.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet. The specialisations will only be run if a sufficient number of qualified candidates apply.

Admission requirements for the individual specialisations

Specialisation in assistive technology in health

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in health and social sciences, social sciences, economics, psychology, education, design, informatics, or engineering.

Specialisation in biomedicine

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy, biotechnology, biomedicine, chemical engineering or molecular biology. A minimum of 30 credits must include courses with practical laboratory work.

Specialisation in radiography

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in radiography.

Special admission to the specialisation in radiography Candidates with a bachelor's degree in radiography who have also completed further education in radiotherapy (60 ECTS credits) according to the programme description from the academic year 2014/15 (student cohort 2014H) or later, can apply for a special admission to the specialisation in radiography. The admission requirements are as follows:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in radiography
• Completed further education in radiotherapy, according to the programme description from the academic year 2014/15 (student year group 2014H) or later

Grades from the further education in radiotherapy may be included in the calculation basis to meet the necessary academic minimum requirements.

Studenter kan dra på utveksling i 5. semester. Studenter som drar på utveksling, får profilen Internasjonal utveksling. Emnene som tas ved den utenlandske institusjonen, må forhåndsgodkjennes av instituttet.

Flere av studieprogrammets emner undervises på engelsk og benytter engelsk pensummateriell. I disse emnene er det lagt til rette for å kunne ta imot utenlandske studenter fra våre samarbeidsinstitusjoner i utlandet. De norske og internasjonale studentene vil arbeide sammen om oppgaver basert på både norske og internasjonale cases, og vil gjennom dette arbeidet opparbeide kompetanse og ferdigheter i å forstå internasjonale forhold og perspektiver. På denne måten skapes et internasjonalt miljø.

Vurdering og sensur er i samsvar med bestemmelsene om vurdering i Lov om universiteter og høyskoler og i Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet.

Det avholdes eksamen i hvert emne, og det benyttes ulike vurderingsformer. Det framgår av emneplanene hvilken vurderingsform, vurderingsuttrykk og sensorordning som benyttes for det enkelte emne.

Kalkulatorreglement

Der kalkulator er oppgitt som tillatt hjelpemiddel i emneplan, gjelder følgende regler for bruk av fysisk kalkulator:

• Kalkulatoren skal utgjøre en enkelt gjenstand og ha lommeformat
• Kalkulatoren må ikke ha mulighet for kommunikasjon med andre dataenheter
• Kalkulatoren tillates ikke koblet på strømnett
• Kalkulatoren skal ikke avgi lyd
• Kalkulatoren skal ikke kunne utføre symbolske beregninger, så som derivasjon av funksjonsuttrykk osv.

Det er studentens ansvar å påse at minnet er tømt før eksamen. Dette kan bli kontrollert på eksamen, og hvis minnet ikke er tømt, blir dette å regne som fusk/forsøk på fusk. Se retningslinjer ved behandling av fusk/forsøk på fusk til eksamen ved OsloMet.

Det er ikke tilgjengelig noen oversikt over tillatte eller forbudte kalkulatormodeller. Spørsmål kan rettes til de aktuelle faglærerne.

Varied and student-active forms of teaching are used in the programme. Good learning outcomes are first and foremost dependent on the students’ own efforts. The number of hours allocated to structured teaching by the university will be relatively low. Own effort means both benefiting from teaching and academic supervision and following this up with independent work in the form of theoretical studies and, if relevant, practical skills training. Normal study progression demands a high level of self-activity. The most important work and teaching methods used in the courses in the programme are described below. The individual course descriptions state which work methods each course employs.;

Web-based work and teaching methodsSeveral forms of digital learning resources are used in the programme, such as digital platforms, digital lectures, video clips, podcasts, tests and assignments. These resources can be used to prepare for teaching sessions, during seminars using the flipped classroom method, and as part of self-study. This form of teaching requires the students to come prepared for scheduled teaching sessions. Interaction may also take place digitally in the form of virtual meetings, webinars, workshops etc.;

Self-study and student cooperation/group workLearning requires a high degree of own activity and self-study, including both individual work and cooperation with fellow students.;Through activities such as exchange of ideas, presentations, discussions, written assignments and problem-based assignments, students will be encouraged to learn by conveying knowledge and experience, expressing their own opinions and, together, reflecting on their own attitudes, actions and understanding of the field. Students are encouraged to take the initiative to schedule and actively participate in study groups to promote learning.;

Skills training/laboratory workDifferent forms of skills training or laboratory work may be included in the programme. Students will work on issues of relevance to the topic concerned, either individually or in groups, and will perform experiments, simulations or solve practical tasks that will demonstrate their theoretical understanding of different methods and techniques used in the field. They will also acquire the skills required to carry out the assignments in an independent manner.

Skills training may also include the use of digital tools to solve assignments or improve communication skills.;

LecturesLectures are primarily used to introduce new subject matter, provide an overview of and highlight main elements and links within different topics, and also to convey relevant research-based issues and literature.

SeminarsSeminars emphasise dialogue and discussion between the lecturer(s) and students in order to stimulate students’ academic development. Oral student presentations and discussions are emphasised.;

In connection with the master’s thesis, seminars are held where the theses are presented and discussed. The students receive feedback from their fellow students and teachers, which enables peer learning. Research-related issues, methods and academic supervision are among the topics discussed in the seminars. Seminars may also take place on digital collaboration platforms.;

Projects, assignments and supervisionThrough project work, case studies, written assignments and the master’s thesis, students will formulate research questions for assignments that they work on over time, either individually or in cooperation with other students. They will learn theory and develop skills in using and referencing sources, analysis, discussion and written and oral communication. The primary purpose of this is to develop their ability to reflect critically, see elements in context and develop a deeper understanding of a subject.

Developing academic writing skills is a key aspect of all parts of the programme.;

Supervision is an important component of the work on the master’s thesis. The supervision is intended to ensure that the project complies with principles of research ethics and help students to formulate research questions and ensure quality in the collection and analysis of data.

Vurdering og sensur er i samsvar med bestemmelsene om vurdering i Lov om universiteter og høyskoler og i Forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet.

Det avholdes eksamen i hvert emne, og det benyttes ulike vurderingsformer. Det framgår av emneplanene hvilken vurderingsform, vurderingsuttrykk og sensorordning som benyttes for det enkelte emne.

Kalkulatorreglement

Der kalkulator er oppgitt som tillatt hjelpemiddel i emneplan, gjelder følgende regler for bruk av fysisk kalkulator:

• Kalkulatoren skal utgjøre en enkelt gjenstand og ha lommeformat
• Kalkulatoren må ikke ha mulighet for kommunikasjon med andre dataenheter
• Kalkulatoren tillates ikke koblet på strømnett
• Kalkulatoren skal ikke avgi lyd
• Kalkulatoren skal ikke kunne utføre symbolske beregninger, så som derivasjon av funksjonsuttrykk osv.

Det er studentens ansvar å påse at minnet er tømt før eksamen. Dette kan bli kontrollert på eksamen, og hvis minnet ikke er tømt, blir dette å regne som fusk/forsøk på fusk. Se retningslinjer ved behandling av fusk/forsøk på fusk til eksamen ved OsloMet.

Det er ikke tilgjengelig noen oversikt over tillatte eller forbudte kalkulatormodeller. Spørsmål kan rettes til de aktuelle faglærerne.

Coursework requirements are all types of work, tests and compulsory attendance that are conditions for being allowed to take an exam. Required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. Please see the course descriptions for more information about the coursework requirements that apply to each course.;

The purpose of the coursework requirements is to:;

The programme mainly has coursework requirements in the form of compulsory attendance, various compulsory activities and written assignments.

Attendance and compulsory activities;

Compulsory attendance or compulsory activities may be required in areas where students cannot acquire knowledge and skills simply by studying literature.

If a student exceeds the maximum limit for absence or fails to attend compulsory activities, the lecturer must assess whether and, if so, how, the student can compensate for the absence through e.g. an individual presentation or other written work. Absence that cannot be compensated for may lead to delayed progress in the programme.

Written assignments;

Several courses have compulsory written assignments or reports as part of their coursework requirements. Written work that is not approved must be reworked before re-submission. If the work is not approved on re-submission, the student cannot take the ordinary exam/assessment.;

Students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled exam. An assignment that is not approved the third time it is submitted may lead to delayed progress in the programme.

Different forms of assessment are used that are adapted to the learning outcomes of the different courses in the programme. The forms of assessment used are intended to support learning and document the students’ level of competence in relation to the expected learning outcomes.;

The forms of assessment used in each course in the programme are described below. All exams taken and the title of the master’s thesis will be stated on the diploma.

In general, the following forms of assessment are used in the programme:

Home examTaken over a set period of time at the end of the course, normally with a set question/assignment text unless otherwise stated in the course description.;

Project examTaken over the whole or large parts of the course, normally with a topic decided by the students themselves unless otherwise stated in the course description.;

Oral examCan take place individually or in groups. It can either be an independent form of assessment or used to adjust the grade awarded for another exam.;

Supervised individual examTaken at the university’s exam venues over a set number of hours.;

Combined exam/assessmentForm of exam that combines written work and oral presentation, where both elements count towards the exam result.;

The assessments are carried out in accordance with the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet, and the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet.;

AssessmentThe assessment is based on the learning outcomes for the course and the extent to which the student has achieved the stipulated learning outcomes. The grades used are Pass/Fail or a grade scale with letter grades from A to F, where A is the highest grade, E is the lowest pass grade and F is a fail. In connection with group exams, all students in the group are awarded the same grade.

Resit and rescheduled examsResit and rescheduled exams are carried out in the same manner as the ordinary exam unless otherwise specified in the course description. In special cases, resit and rescheduled exams in courses with group exams may be held as individual exams.

Appeals against gradesGrades awarded for written exams can be appealed. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral exams. In connection with group exams, the result of an appeal will only have consequences for the candidate(s) who submitted the appeal. The other students will keep their original grade.;

Students can appeal against the grade set for the written part of the master’s thesis. If the grade is changed as a result of re-grading, the student must take the oral exam again.

Revised programme description approved by the Academic Affairs Committee of the Faculty of Health Sciences on 28 April 2022

Last amendments approved by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences on 23 May 2025.

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2025.