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

The master's programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. The scope of the programme is 120 credits and is offered both as a two-year full-time course of study and as a three-year part-time course of study.

Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Biomedicine (Norwegian: Master i biomedisin) in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees.

The biomedical field is undergoing rapid development. New knowledge in the discipline of molecular biology and technological development in laboratory work, imaging and radiotherapy creates new challenges in diagnostics and treatment. DNA technology in particular has opened up new possibilities in diagnostic and therapeutic principles. The implementation of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that result from the development in biomedical analysis methods and radiation-based technology is more demanding in terms of validation, critical thinking and analysis founded on evidence-based knowledge. Choices of analyses, technology and procedures are crucial to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.

The programme deals with basic biomedical sciences that are necessary for research, method development, and quality assurance in biomedical disciplines and laboratories. The study programme consists of courses that allow students to specialise in different areas. Depending on which programme option students choose, they will specialise in quality development and quality assurance of methods and procedures used in biomedical laboratories or in diagnostic imaging or radiotherapy departments.

The purpose of the programme is to educate second cycle degree candidates to cover the growing need for advanced knowledge resulting from the professional and technological development in biomedical laboratories, radiology and radiotherapy. Students will acquire the expertise required to establish and develop analysis methods, interpret their results and choose suitable methods in their work on different issues.

Professional opportunities and further education

Possible fields of work and careers after completing the programme include:

• biomedical research and development
• development and advisory functions in operational and quality-development matters in laboratories and radiotherapy
• development and advisory functions in guidance, administration and dissemination of knowledge in the health professions
• teaching, academic supervision and development functions at institutions responsible for biomedical education

A completed master's degree qualifies candidates to apply for admission to PhD programmes.

The programme description is specified in teaching plans that provide more specific information and rules for each course.

The target group is people with a minimum of three years' education in biomedical subjects. The programme is particularly relevant for applicants with an education in medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy and radiography, and for chemical engineers who have studied biotechnology.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet.

The minimum requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree, cand.mag. degree or vocational education with a scope of at least three years. To be admitted to the master's degree programme, the average grade for applicants' academic basis for admission must be C or better. The following also applies:

Candidates must have studied biomedical or natural sciences with at least 80 credits' specialisation in a course group that covers knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics and laboratory technology.

Additional points (education points) can be awarded for relevant education over and above the academic qualifications, see Section 12 (1) of the Regulations. By relevant education is meant education in medical, natural science or technology disciplines.

Additional points are also awarded for relevant work experience, see Section 12 (2) of the Regulations. By relevant work experience is meant all biomedicine-related work experience. This could be tasks relating to laboratory diagnostics or medical research and treatment.

Sixty-five per cent of places in the programme are reserved for students who compete for admission on the basis of their grade point average alone.

The programme will only run if there are enough students.

Admission to individual courses

All courses in the programme are also taught as individual courses, with the exception of the Master’s Thesis. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses. More information about admission to individual courses can be found on the programme’s website: https://www.oslomet.no/studier/hv/biomedisin

After completing the programme, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge about biomedicine and specialised insight into the topic of his/her master's degree thesis
• has advanced knowledge about normal and pathological conditions and cell biological mechanisms
• has advanced knowledge about biomedical analysis methods
• applying his/her knowledge and skills to new fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects
• has in-depth knowledge about philosophy of science traditions.

Skills

The candidate is capable of

• analysing a biomedical problem and choosing the correct method
• quality-assuring biomedical analysis and/or treatment methods within his/her chosen area of specialisation
• conducting research work affiliated to a research group under supervision in an independent and ethically aware manner
• writing academic texts and presenting research results in accordance with the applicable conventions in the field of biomedicine.

Competence

The candidate is capable of

• analysing and discussing ethical issues in biomedical research
• analysing and presenting research results orally and in writing
• participating in discussions with colleagues and the general public about biomedical research and developments in the field
• contributing to new ideas and innovation in biomedicine, medical technology and other health science areas.

The study programme consists of courses that enable students to specialise in different areas. One programme option is suitable for medical laboratory technicians/engineers/pharmacists who want to specialise in biomedical research and development. There are two options for radiographers who want to specialise in CT or radiotherapy, respectively. The fourth option is for medical laboratory technicians and radiographers who want to specialise in nuclear medicine. Students can choose other course combinations than those recommended.

A student's academic/professional background and desired area of specialisation or the topic of his/her master's thesis will be decisive to his/her choice of programme option. The programme management provides advice and guidance.

The scope of the master's thesis is 60 credits, and it ensures in-depth specialisation in an area in the form of an independent scholarly work. Students are offered master's thesis topics related to hospitals, research institutions or the university's research environments. A thesis normally includes practical research work, but it could also be a theoretical work based on empirical data. Students are usually included in a research group. The thesis could also be based on independent development work carried out at the student's own place of work.

Students receive information about the programme options and the different courses during the first week of study, and must submit their choice of programme option in writing 3–4 weeks after the programme begins at the latest. Normally, at least ten registered students are required for a course to be taught.

Students will be offered alternative courses if an insufficient number of students register for their first choice. On the other hand, they are guaranteed a place on the courses offered. The ten-student limit could mean that students will have to choose another recommended programme option or an alternative combination of courses to complete the programme within the nominal length of study.

Study progress

Students must have passed all their exams for the first year before they can be given access to laboratories and academic supervision to work on their master's thesis.

Throughout the programme, work and teaching methods are used that emphasise the students' independence and responsibility for their own learning process. Lectures, seminars, laboratory courses and skills training, group work, written work, tours and web-based teaching are among the methods used. Some areas will not be covered by lectures or scheduled teaching activities, and students are expected to acquire this knowledge through self-study. Students are expected to spend 40 hours per week on their studies.

Lectures

Lectures are primarily used to introduce new subject matter, give an overview and highlight main elements and links within different topics, and also to communicate relevant issues.

Seminars

Seminars emphasise dialogue and discussion between the subject teacher(s) and students in order to stimulate the student's academic development. Verbal presentations by students and discussions are emphasised.

In connection with the master's thesis, three or four seminars are held where the master's theses are presented and discussed. The students receive feedback from their fellow students and teachers. This enables students to learn from each other. Research-related issues, methods and academic supervision are among the topics discussed in the seminars. Innovation, entrepreneurship and work opportunities after completing the programme are also relevant topics.

Laboratory courses/skills training

Several courses include laboratory courses or skills training as important learning methods.

In laboratory courses, students learn the theoretical and practical aspects of modern biomedical research methods. Through practical laboratory assignments, students learn how to carry out analyses and master certain skills, such as aseptic technique. The students are trained in choosing the right analysis method/statistical tool for the biomedical problem at hand.

Group work

Work on issues and assignments together with other students is intended to promote cooperation between students and support learning of subject matter.

Written assignments and academic supervision

Through written assignments and the master's thesis, students will formulate research questions for assignments and work on them 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.

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

Guided tours

Several of the topics include tours of relevant hospital units and research laboratories.

Web-based teaching

The course MABIO5000 Computed Tomography (CT) is web-based, and requires independent activity on the part of the students. The work and teaching methods comprise digital lectures, participation in digital discussion forums, skills training, seminar(s) and written and practical assignments. We refer to the course description for a more detailed description of the work and teaching methods used in the course.

Self-study

Not all topics are covered by organised teaching activities, and students are expected to acquire knowledge of the remaining topics through self-study. Study groups have no teacher participation, and serve as a forum where students can support each other's learning. Students are encouraged to cooperate online by posting assignments, notes and issues for discussion via the university's electronic learning support system in addition to cooperating in more traditional ways.

Målgruppen er alle som ønsker å utdanne seg til ortopediingeniør. Fagfeltet er en kombinasjon av helse- og ingeniørfag der ortopediingeniørens kjernekompetanse er planlegging, utvikling og oppfølging av ortopeditekniske hjelpemidler i nært samarbeid med bruker og andre yrkesgrupper. Søkere bør derfor ha kreativitet, interesse for å utvikle tekniske ferdigheter og ikke minst interesse for å utvikle god kommunikasjons- og samhandlingskompetanse.

Opptakskrav er generell studiekompetanse og matematikk R1 og R2 og fysikk FYS 1.

Studenter må etter opptak fremlegge politiattest i henhold til Forskrift om opptak til høyere utdanning.

Bruk av plagg som dekker ansiktet, er ikke forenlig med gjennomføringen av studiet. Det stilles spesielle krav til bekledning av helse-, miljø- og sikkerhetsmessige årsaker, og det innvilges ikke fritak fra disse kravene.

Søkere bør være oppmerksomme på at studentene må utføre fysiske undersøkelser på hverandre, og at undersøkelser og ferdighetstrening aldri er kjønnsadskilt.

Ortopediingeniørutdanningen skal utdanne brukerorienterte, kreative, nysgjerrige, selvstendige og reflekterte yrkesutøvere som kan inngå i et faglig og tverrprofesjonelt samarbeid. Kandidaten skal etter endt utdanning ha tilegnet seg en kompetanse som sikrer profesjonsutøvelse i samsvar med samfunnets krav til og behov for ortopediingeniørfaglige tjenester. Læringsutbyttene er i tråd med Kvalifikasjonsrammeverket, men er supplert med noen læringsutbytter i ISPO's retningslinjer.

Kompetansen kan deles inn henholdsvis kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:

Kunnskap 

Kandidaten

• har bred kunnskap innenfor naturvitenskapelige, teknologiske og samfunnsvitenskapelige emner som er sentrale innenfor ortopediingeniørfaget
• har bred kunnskap om ortopediingeniørens rolle og funksjon innen forebyggende, behandlende og re-/habiliterende virksomhet
• kjenner til ortopediingeniørfagets historie, tradisjoner, egenart og plass i samfunnet
• kjenner til globale utfordringer innenfor assisterende teknologi, folkehelse og miljø i et samfunn i endring
• kjenner til forsknings- og utviklingsarbeid som er relevant for ortopediingeniørfaget
• kan oppdatere sin kunnskap innen fagområder som er relevante for ortopedifaglig virksomhet

Ferdigheter

Kandidaten kan

• utvikle og iverksette en ortopediteknisk oppfølgingsplan for den enkelte bruker
• kan anvende faglig kunnskap og relevante resultater fra forsknings- og utviklingsarbeid på praktiske og teoretiske problemstillinger og treffe begrunnede valg
• utføre kliniske og ortopeditekniske prosedyrer og prosesser som inngår i forebygging, behandling og re-/habilitering for personer som trenger proteser og/eller ortoser gjennom livsløpet, og reflektere over egen utførelse
• anvende relevante materialer, utstyr, komponenter og teknikker
• utforske ny teknologi og vurdere mulige anvendelsesområder innenfor ortopediingeniørfaget
• finne, vurdere og henvise til informasjon og fagstoff og fremstille dette så det belyser en problemstilling

Generell kompetanse

Kandidaten kan

• kommunisere profesjonelt med brukere og andre samarbeidspartnere og utøve etisk forsvarlig praksis
• forholde seg profesjonelt innenfor et mangfoldig samfunn som kjennetegnes av individuelle og kulturelle forskjeller
• samhandle brukersentrert og tverrprofesjonelt
• ta en aktiv rolle i kvalitetssikring, -forbedring, -utvikling, innovasjon og promotering av tjenestetilbud og fagutøvelse
• anvende kunnskap og ferdighet på selvstendig vis gjennom å vise samarbeidsevne, ansvarlighet, evne til refleksjon og kritisk tenkning i yrkesutøvelsen
• identifisere egne lærings- og kompetansebehov for å kunne holde seg oppdatert
• følge nasjonale lovverk og nasjonale og internasjonale retningslinjer for profesjonell yrkesutøvelse innen helse- og sosialtjenester både på system- og individnivå
• planlegge og gjennomføre relevante prosjekter og komplekse oppgaver som strekker seg over tid og som bidrar til utvikling av teori og/eller praksis, alene og som deltaker i en tverrprofesjonell gruppe som kan bidra til utvikling av god praksis
• vise innsikt i kreative prosesser og anvende metoder som benyttes i innovasjon og entreprenørskap
• formidle sentralt fagstoff til brukere, andre samarbeidspartnere og publikum

Studiet er organisert i 15 emner.;14 er profesjonsspesifikke mens ett (ORI1050) er felles for flere av studiene ved fakultetet. Alle emner er obligatoriske.

Studieåret er på 40 uker, og det forventes en arbeidsinnsats på normalt 40 timer pr uke. Dette inkluderer både timeplanlagt aktivitet, egenaktivitet og eksamen.

Studieprogresjon

Første studieår må være bestått før studenten kan påbegynne andre studieår, og andre studieår må være bestått før studenten kan påbegynne tredje studieår.