Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents Programme description

This programme description was prepared by OsloMet pursuant to the National Curriculum Regulations for Engineering Education, adopted by the Ministry of Education on 18 Mai 2018.

The Norwegian Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, which was adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 20 March 2009, provides an overview of the overall learning outcomes defined in terms of the knowledge, skills and general competence candidates are expected to have achieved after completing the degree programme. The learning outcomes described in the programme description have been prepared in accordance with the National Curriculum Regulations and the Qualifications Framework.

The purpose of the programme is to provide students with a broad theoretical and practical background. Knowledge of biotechnology will be based on a general chemistry platform and thorough training in chemical analysis techniques, which will give the students flexibility in terms of their choice of career and further studies.

Biotechnology is sometimes referred to as the new global growth industry. Great progress has been made in biotechnology, especially in connection with medical diagnostics, forensic analyses, treatment of illnesses, production processes (beer, wine, yoghurt and cheese), animal feed, biological water treatment, the utilisation of enzymes in technical processes, for example in biodiesel and petrol production, and waste management.

An education in biotechnology and chemistry provides opportunities to take part in exciting developments in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry, and the aquaculture and fisheries industry. The education can also provide opportunities for jobs relating to R&D activities at several research institutions and in various research communities.

Possible work areas also include the operation of water treatment facilities, analyses of polluting emissions and mapping of the damaging effects of such pollution on people, animals and nature. The broad chemistry background this programme provides will also enable candidates to work in the industrial production of glue, paint and varnish, detergents and petroleum products.

Further education

The bachelor’s degree programme in Biotechnology and Applied Chemistry has one programme option:

• Biotechnology

It is a three-year programme, and candidates who have completed the programme will be awarded the degree Bachelor of Biotechnology and Applied Chemistry.

There are a number of further education options for candidates with a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Many students go on to take a master’s degree in technology at OsloMet (for example at the Faculty of Health Sciences), NTNU, UMB, UiO or other Norwegian and foreign universities.

The programme is aimed at applicants who have a background in natural science and wish to take higher education in an engineering field. Applicants without a natural science background can apply for admission to OsloMet's introductory course ( Forkurs) or three-semester scheme ( Tre-termin) to qualify for the engineering programmes. See OsloMet’s website: www.oslomet.no/

The Higher Education Entrance Qualification/prior learning and work experience and Mathematics R1+R2 and Physics 1. An introductory course or qualifications from a technical college under previous systems are sufficient to meet the qualification requirements. Applicants with qualifications from a technical college pursuant to the Act relating to Tertiary Vocational Education (2003) only need to take Mathematics R1+R2 and Physics 1.

Reference is made to the Regulations concerning Admission to Higher Education,https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2017-01-06-13

After completing and passing the three-year bachelor’s degree programme in Biotechnology and Applied Chemistry, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has broad knowledge of different sub-disciplines of chemistry (general chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and applied chemistry) that gives an overall perspective on the work of chemical engineers
• has basic knowledge of mathematics, statistics, physics and relevant social science and economics subjects, and how to use them in problem-solving in the field of engineering
• has fundamental knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and genetics
• has fundamental knowledge of sampling, sample preparation and instrumental analysis techniques
• is familiar with Norwegian laws and regulations relating to the use of biotechnology and genetic engineering
• has knowledge of technological developments in chemical subjects, the role of chemical engineers in society, consequences of developments and the use of technology
• is capable of updating their knowledge related to the field of chemical engineering by obtaining new and relevant information and through contact with academic/industry experts and practical work
• is familiar with research and development work in the field of chemistry and with relevant methods in the specialisation subjects such as biotechnology, biochemical engineering and analytical chemistry

Skills

The candidate:

• is capable of applying and processing knowledge to solve chemistry-related problems, proposing technical solutions, and analysing and quality assuring the results
• is capable of using computer tools and relevant computer and simulation programs
• is capable of working in chemical labs, and has mastery of spectroscopy, chromatography and electrochemistry methods that contribute to both analytical and innovative work.
• can document results in laboratory notebooks and write reports based on standardised methods
• is capable of finding and assessing information and specialist literature and critically assessing the quality of the source
• can present and discuss such material, both orally and in writing, so that it sheds light on an issue
• is capable of citing literature correctly and compiling reference lists in accordance with the applicable referencing guidelines
• is capable of handling chemicals in accordance with regulations and of using HSE-data
• is capable of contributing new ideas, innovation and entrepreneurship through participation in the development and realisation of sustainable solutions and products, systems and/or solutions that benefit society
• is capable of working on biotechnology issues in both medical research and development and technological production
• is capable of using methods such as recombinant DNA technology and classical mutagenesis techniques to develop biotechnology production organisms, and has experience of growing microorganisms and operating and optimising fermenters
• masters methods such as PCR, restriction digestion, agarose gel electrophoresis and hybridisation to prepare DNA for analysis

General competence

The candidate:

• has insight into the environmental, health-related, social and financial consequences of chemical products, analyses and processes, and is capable of placing them in an ethical and a life-cycle perspective
• is capable of communicating chemistry knowledge to different target groups, both orally and in writing, and has the ability to illustrate the importance and consequences of technology
• is capable of participating in professional discussions, showing respect and being open to other fields and contributing to interdisciplinary work
• has applied quality assurance procedures for laboratory work
• has information literacy skills; knows why it is necessary to search for quality-assured sources of knowledge, how and why sources must be cited, and is familiar with plagiarism and cheating

Varied and student-active teaching methods are used in the programme. Good learning outcomes are first and foremost dependent on the students’ own efforts. The number of hours of adapted teaching at 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 progress requires students to make great personal efforts. The most important work and teaching forms used in each course in the programme are described below. The individual course descriptions state which work methods each course employs. Practical training is described in a separate chapter; see below.

Web-based work and teaching methods

Several forms of digital learning resources are used in the programme, such as digital textbooks, digital lectures, video clips, podcasts, tests, learning pathways 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 meet prepared for the scheduled teaching sessions. Interaction can also take place digitally, in the form of Skype meetings, webinars etc.

Self-study and student cooperation/group work

Learning requires a high degree of own activity and self-study, including both individual work and cooperation with fellow students. Through activities such as exchanging ideas, presentations, discussions, writing assignments and problem-based assignments, students will be stimulated to learn by communicating 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 initiative to schedule and actively participate in study groups to promote learning.

Lectures

Lectures are primarily used to introduce new subject matter, provide 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, seminars are held where the master's theses are presented and discussed. The students receive feedback from their fellow students and teachers, which enables them to learn from each other. Research-related issues, methods and academic supervision are among the topics discussed in the seminars. Seminars can also take place on digital collaboration platforms.

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. 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.

See the respective course descriptions for more detailed information about work methods, reading lists, assessment and exam aids. As indicated there, lectures, exercises, laboratory work, supervision and other teaching methods will be used to a varying extent in the different courses.

A course description is provided for each individual course. Before the programme starts, the person responsible for the course will prepare a detailed teaching plan for the course that will contain a reading list, a progress schedule, detailed information about exercise schedules and coursework requirements with applicable deadlines etc.

Special emphasis will be placed on the students acquiring a high level of engineering expertise and creativity. The mechanical engineering programme emphasises expertise and a professional attitude in the following courses and subject areas:

Coursework requirements are all types of work, tests and compulsory attendance that are requirements for being permitted to take the examination. Coursework requirements can be individual or in groups. Required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The coursework requirements for each course are described in the relevant course description.

The primary purpose of coursework requirements is to promote students' progress and academic development and to encourage them to acquire new knowledge. The programme's main coursework requirements are in the form of compulsory attendance, written assignments and tests.

Compulsory attendance

Attendance is compulsory in areas where the student cannot acquire knowledge and skills simply by studying literature.

If a student exceeds the maximum limit for absence stated in the course description or do not participate in a group presentation, the lecturer will consider whether it is possible to compensate for absence by meeting alternative requirements. This can e.g. be written assignments or oral presentations, individually or in groups. If it is not possible to compensate for the absence, the student must take the course the next time it is taught. Whether or not it is possible to compensate for absence depends on the extent of the student’s absence and which activities he/she has missed.

Written assignments

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

The students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled examination. If an assignment is not approved the third time it is submitted, the student must re-take the course with the next class.

Required coursework means compulsory assignments/activities that must be approved by a given deadline in order for students to be able to sit the exam. Coursework can be written work, project work, oral presentations, lab courses, compulsory attendance at lectures etc. Required coursework can be done individually or in groups.

The required coursework is intended to ensure the students’ progress and development and that they participate in necessary elements of the programme. Coursework requirements can also be set to ensure that students achieve a learning outcome that cannot be tested in an exam.

Previously approved coursework are valid for four years, provided that the coursework has not changed significantly.

Required coursework is assessed as ‘approved’ or ‘not approved’.

The coursework requirements for each course are described in the course description. The number and type of coursework requirements, the rules for meeting the coursework requirements, deadlines and other details are set out in the course descriptions and teaching plans that are announced at the start of the semester.

Not approved coursework

Valid absence documented by, for example, a medical certificate does not exempt students from meeting the coursework requirements. Students who have valid grounds for absence, or who have submitted coursework that is not approved, should as far as possible be given a new chance to resubmit it before the exam. This must be agreed with the lecturer in question on a case-to-case basis. If another attempt at meeting a coursework requirement is not possible because of the nature of the subject/course, the student must be prepared to meet the coursework requirement on the next possible occasion. This can result in delayed progress in the programme.

The examination regulations are specified in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. See OsloMet’s website www.oslomet.no

Oral and practical exams are assessed by two examiners, as these forms of exams cannot be appealed. Formal errors can nonetheless be appealed.

One overall grade is given for the portfolio.

It is only possible to appeal the exam result for the portfolio assessment as a whole. Any information provided about weighting is only considered additional information in relation to the final grade. If parts of the portfolio contain elements such as an oral presentation, practical assignments etc., the exam result cannot be appealed. The rules concerning right of appeal are described in each individual course description.

Exams that are only assessed by internal examiners shall be regularly selected for external assessment.

Assessment

The grades pass/fail or a grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail are used for exam grades.

Prerequisite knowledge and study progress

Prerequisite knowledge is described in the course descriptions.

In this programme it is required to have at least 30 ECTS from the first year to continue with spec courses in the second study year

Even if no specific requirements for prior knowledge are defined, the students should take courses worth at least 50 credits each year to be able to complete the programme within the nominal length of study.

• From the first to the second year of the programme – courses worth 50 credits should be completed
• From the first and second years to the third year of the programme – courses worth 100 credits should be completed

Students must be registered in the third year and have completed at least 100 credits from the first and second years of the programme by 1 October before they can be assigned a topic for their bachelor’s thesis.

Programme supervisor scheme

Programme supervision is part of the quality assurance of each individual study programme. A programme supervisor is not an examiner, but someone who supervises the quality of the study programmes. All study programmes at OsloMet shall be supervised by a programme supervisor, but there is leeway to practise the system in different ways. Reference is made to the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet: https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer

Rescheduled/resit exams

Students must register for resit/rescheduled exams themselves. Resits/rescheduled exams are normally organised together early in the following semester. Resit exams are for students who have taken the exam and failed. Rescheduled exams are for students who did not take the regular exam. The conditions for taking resit/rescheduled exams are set out in the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet.

Diploma

The final assessment for each course will be included on the diploma for the Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology and Applied Chemistry, and the title of the bachelor’s thesis shall be stated.