Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy Programme description

This programme description was prepared by Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences pursuant to the National Curriculum Regulations for Engineering Education, adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research on 4 February 2011.

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 education. The learning outcomes described in the programme description have been prepared in accordance with the National Curriculum Regulations and the Qualifications Framework.

The study programme concerns issues relating to energy and environment in buildings. The emphasis is on knowledge about healthy buildings and good indoor climate. At the same time, the global problems of increased pollution and scarce energy resources are also addressed by emphasising optimum energy utilisation and environmentally friendly materials in buildings. Key aspects of the programme include energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design, clean buildings, optimum heating operation, environmental accounting and ecoprofiling of buildings. The teaching is partly project-based.

The programme qualifies students to work for contractors and technical building consultants. Other relevant employers include technical central and local government agencies, and there are many possibilities in sales, marketing and consultancy services. Some graduates also start their own business. The programme also qualifies for further education at master’s degree level at universities and university colleges, including the Master’s Degree Programme in Energy and Environment in Buildings at OsloMet.

Energy and Environment in Buildings is a three-year full-time study programme, and candidates who have earned 180 credits will be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Energy and Environment in Buildings.

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

The programme’s admission requirements include 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 regimes are sufficient to meet the qualification requirements. Applicants with qualifications from a technical college pursuant to the Act relating to Tertiary Vocational Education of 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/NL/lov/2005-04-01-15?q=forskrift_opptak_høyere_utdanning

After completing and passing the three-year bachelor's degree programme in energy and environment, 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 acquired broad knowledge that gives an overall systemic perspective on the discipline of engineering in general, with a specialisation in subjects relating to energy systems and environmental issues in buildings
• has basic knowledge in mathematics, statistics, physics and relevant social sciences and how these fields may be integrated in the solution of engineering problems relating to energy and the environment in buildings
• has insight into specialisation subjects such as energy, fluid mechanics, heat transmission, mass transfer, indoor climate, sanitation, heating, ventilation and sanitary engineering, and automation
• is familiar with different computer tools and relevant software in fluid mechanics, heat transfer
• is familiar with technological developments in the field of energy and the environment in buildings, the role of the engineer in society, and about the social, environmental, ethical and financial consequences of technology
• is capable of updating his/her knowledge independently by seeking out literature, through contact with professional environments and user groups and through practical work
• has knowledge that provides an overall perspective on the field of energy and environmental engineering
• is familiar with research challenges relating to energy and the environment in buildings and with scientific methods and modes of working in the specialisation subjects energy, indoor climate, HVAC engineering and automation in buildings.

Skills

The candidate is capable of:

• applying and processing knowledge to solve problems relating to energy and the environment in buildings, propose technical solutions, analyse and quality assure the results
• using computer tools and relevant computer and simulation programs in the field
• working, both independently and as part of a team, on planning and carrying out measurements, analyses and engineering projects
• finding and critically assessing relevant information, literature and other relevant material, and of using this to elucidate and discuss a problem both orally and in writing
• contributing fresh thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship in connection with developing and realising sustainable solutions and products that benefit society.
• searching for specialist literature and critically assessing the quality of the source
• compiling reference lists in accordance with the applicable template.

General competence

The candidate

• is aware of the environmental, ethical and financial consequences of analyses and processes that concern energy and the indoor climate in buildings
• is capable of communicating his/her knowledge to different target groups both orally and in writing, and has the ability to illustrate the importance of technology and its consequences for society
• is capable of participating actively in professional discussions, showing respect and being open to other fields and contributing to interdisciplinary work
• is capable of contributing his/her expertise in projects and developing major projects together with others.
• has information literacy skills; knows why it is necssary to seek out quality-assured sources of knowledge,why sources must be cited, and is familiar with what is defined as plagiarism and cheating in student work

The master’s programme is designed to be comprehensive, and the academic content and educational tools are interlinked, showing a clear context between learning outcome descriptions, learning activities and forms of assessment.

The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences has three or four compulsory common courses, depending on the chosen specialisation. In addition to these, there are at least two compulsory specialisation courses for each specific specialisation, and a master’s thesis worth either 30 or 50 ECTS credits, depending on the specialisation. The students can also choose one or more elective courses depending on their chosen specialisation. This does not apply to the specialisations cancer nursing, public health nursing and nursing and mental health and addiction as they only have compulsory courses in their programme structures.

The courses in the programme description build to some extent on each other to ensure progress, with increasing requirements for knowledge and understanding within each specialisation. The courses are mainly taken over the course of the semester, with start-up at the start of the semester and examinations towards the end. The exceptions are certain compulsory specialisation courses that include external supervised practical training.

The academic year is 40 weeks long, and the expected workload for a full-time student is 40 hours per week. This includes scheduled activities, students’ own study activity and examinations. The course descriptions provide more details about learning outcomes, work methods, coursework requirements and examinations.

Content of compulsory common courses

The programme includes a compulsory common course MAVIT4100 Quality Improvement and Implementation of Evidence-based Practice, 10 ECTS credits. The purpose of this course is to enable students to actively contribute to promoting safe and high-quality health and care services. By health and care services is meant both public and approved private services, as well as health promoting work in the public and private sectors. . The course introduces students to the organisation and management of health and care services, and prepares for interprofessional quality improvement work. It also gives students experience of interprofessional quality improvement cooperation. Through the course, the students will learn about different quality improvement models and the interaction between user knowledge, experience-based knowledge and research-based knowledge in clinical decision-making processes.

There are also three common courses in the theory of science and research methods: MAVIT4050 Theory of Science and Research Methods, 10 ECTS credits, MAVIT4060 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, 10 ECTS credits and MAVIT4070/MAPFY4070 Research Design and Project Description, 10 ECTS credits. These courses aim to help the student to read, understand and critically assess research literature, to critically assess various sources of knowledge that form part of clinical decision-making processes, to acquire in-depth knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, and lead up to the development of a project description for their master’s thesis.

In the first course, MAVIT4050, the students are introduced to theory of science and research methods and research ethics.

The second course, MAVIT4060, provides students with a deeper understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods.

The third course, MAVIT4070/MAPFY4070, the students will work more thoroughly with their chosen method and develop a project description for their master’s thesis. This is to ensure that the students get to grips with work on their master’s thesis at an early stage.

Master’s thesis – 30 and 50 ECTS credits

The master’s thesis in the programme is worth 50 ECTS credits (MAVIT5900) or 30 ECTS credits (MAVIT5910/MAPFY5910), respectively. Whether the students are able to choose the scope of their master’s thesis depends on the specialisation they have been admitted to. Normally students will develop a project description as part of the course MAVIT4070/MAPFY4070 Research Design and Project Description, 10 ECTS credits. The project description is developed with the support of the lecturer, who quality assures the project with respect to scope and degree of difficulty.

The same requirements apply to scientific and research-related work regardless of the length of the thesis. Students can choose to write the master’s thesis individually or in pairs. Students can also apply to write the master’s thesis with students from other specialisations, provided that the scope of the master’s thesis is the same. On application, interdisciplinary innovation projects can be written in groups of up to four students. Students are encouraged to contact potential supervisors about possible project ideas.

Elective courses

In the course of the master’s programme, the students can choose one or more elective courses depending on their chosen specialisation. This does not apply to the specialisations cancer nursing, public health nursing and and mental health and addiction as they only have compulsory courses in their programme structures. Which elective courses that are available will vary. These elective courses cover a broad area of the health sciences. Students must apply for a place on elective courses no later than the semester before, subject to specific deadlines. More information about the elective courses can be found here. More information about the elective courses

There will be an upper limit for places on each elective course. Elective courses could be cancelled by the Faculty if enrolment is below the minimum of 20 students.

The following courses are elective for all students taking the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences:

• MAFAR4100 Innovation within Healthcare, 10 ECTS credits.
• MAVIT4600 Supervision / Counselling, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT4700 Food, Health and Sustainability, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT4800 Personalised Nutrition, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT4900 Quality of Life, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5100 Health communication 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5300 Knowledge Translation, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5500 Adolescent Health, 10 ECTS credits.
• MAVIT5600 Physical Activity and Exercise in a Life Course Perspective and with a Special Focus on Aging, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5700 Pain – Multidimensional Assessment and Health Professional Interventions, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5800 Introduction to Clinical Studies for Healthcare Personnel, 10 ECTS credits
• MAPSY4400 Mental Health of Migrants and Minorities, 10 ECTS credits
• MSLV4200 Collaboration and collaborative management, 10 ESTS credits
• VSHSO6000 Sexual Abuse - Prevention, Detection and Follow up, 10 ESTS credits
• VSHFS6000 The Impacts of Disability and Illness on Sexual Health, 10 ESTS credits
• HETEK4300 Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Resistance, 10 ESTS credits

The following courses are elective for students at the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences with relevant prerequisites:

• MAVIT4400 Clinical Neurophysiology, 10 ECTS credits (AUTUMN). The student must be admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and have a bachelor´s degree or equivalent in nursing, pharmacy, psychology, physiotherapy, bioengineering, paramedicine, social education, physiology or molecular biology, or medicine (profession). The course is also offered as a separate course, with the admission requirements a bachelor´s degree or equivalent in nursing, pharmacy, psychology, physiotherapy, bioengineering, paramedicine, social education, physiology or molecular biology, or medicine (profession). Grade C is not required for admission to the separate course.

Students can also choose some compulsory specialisation courses from other specialisations as elective courses. This is on condition that the student meets the prerequisite requirements given in the relevant course description and that there is a place on the course. This applies to:

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences.

• MAEMP4100 Public Health, Empowerment and Health Promotion, 10 ECTS credits
• MAEMP4200 Health Pedagogy, 10 ECTS credits
• MAHAB4100 Coping and Participation in the Rehabilitation Process, 10 ECTS credits

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and hold authorisation as healthcare personnel.

• MAERN4100 Energy and Nutrients, 10 ECTS credits
• MERG4200 Complex Interventions in Work and Everyday Life, 10 ECTS credits

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and have 20 ECTS credits in nutrition

• MAPHN4100 National and Global Nutrition Challenges, 10 ECTS credits

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and hold authorisation as a general nurse.

• MAKLI4200 Practical Ethics, 10 ECTS credits
• MAKRE4100 Nursing and Treatment for Patients with Cancer, 10 ECTS credits

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and hold authorisation as an occupational therapist.

• MERG4100 The Knowledge Base for Occupation and Participation, 10 ECTS credits

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences and hold authorisation as a physiotherapist.

• MABU4100 Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents - Part 1, 10 ECTS credits
• MAELD4100 Physiotherapy for Home-dwelling Older Adults, 10 ECTS credits

Study progress

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

• All courses in the programme must be passed before the student can submit their master's thesis for assessment.
• Some courses may have separate progress requirements; see the individual course descriptions.

See the course descriptions for MAPFY4100, MAPFY4200, MAPFY4300 and MAPFY4400 for a more detailed description of the content of the specialisation courses.

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.

Five of the specialisations in the master’s programme have compulsory practical training in order for students to acquire skills needed in their professional practice. These specialisations are:

• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The field of practice is an essential qualification arena for acquiring action competence in the specialisation. Through practical training, the students further develop their communication and interaction skills and develop an important basis for theoretical analysis and discussion.

Supervision and assessment

Practical training is supervised. Pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the university is responsible for the final assessment of the student. Reference is also made to the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8. Supervised practical training. Number of attempts.

Detailed information about practical training

For more detailed information about attendance requirements, scope, the practical training arena and other details related to practical training, see the course descriptions for the specific specialisation.

The engineering programmes are adapted for internationalisation in that the students can take courses abroad, primarily from the fourth semester. See: https://www.oslomet.no/

In addition, OsloMet's collaborates with institutions in several European countries on an English-language course called European Project Semester (EPS). It is worth 30 credits, and is mainly intended for incoming exchange students. Interested students can take the final semester of their programme as an EPS abroad. For OsloMet's own students, an EPS course at OsloMet can replace the bachelor’s thesis. Admission to EPS is based on individual application.

Engineering is an international field. Much of the course literature is in English, and several of the systems and work tools use English as their working language. Some of the teaching may be in English. The individual course descriptions will state which courses this concerns. These courses will give the students good experience and knowledge of English engineering terminology.

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 or in groups etc. The coursework requirements for each course are described in the course description. In some courses, changes may be made to the coursework requirements during the school year, because the engineering programmes at OsloMet are part of a pilot for digital exam and assessment forms.

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 can be valid for three years after it is approved, provided that the course remains unchanged.

Required coursework is assessed as approved or not approved.

Different forms of assessment are used on the programme that are adapted to the learning outcomes of the various courses. The forms of assessment used are intended to support learning and document the students’ level of competence in relation to the expected learning outcomes. All examinations taken that are part of the specialisation will appear on the diploma, as well as the title of the student’s master’s thesis. Students who take additional elective courses in excess of 120 credits get these on their transcript, and must choose which elective courses are to be included on the diploma . In general, the following forms of assessment are used in the programme:

Supervised individual examination

Taken at the university’s examination premises over a set number of hours.

Home examination

Taken 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 examination

Taken 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 examination

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

Practical examination

The assessment of specific practical skills either at the university or in the field of practice.

Assessment of practical training

Supervised practical training, assessed in accordance with the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

The assessment of examinations and practical training is carried out in accordance with the applicable rules set out in 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. The forms of assessment and criteria are described in each course description.

Examinations

All courses conclude with an examination. The assessment is based on the learning outcomes for the course, and the degree to which the student has achieved the stipulated learning outcomes is assessed. In theoretical courses, the grades used are pass/fail or letter grades from A to F, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade. The grade F means that the student has failed the examination. The grades pass/fail are used for the assessment of practical training.

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

For examinations where a percentage of the examination papers are selected for assessment by an external examiner, the external examiner's assessment should benefit all the students. In such cases, one external and one internal Examiner will first grade the selected papers. The internal examiner then continues grading the remaining papers together with another internal examiner. The assessments from the first part are summarised to serve as guidelines for the assessments carried out by the two internal examiners.

The grade awarded for a written examination can be appealed, cf. Section 5-3 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral and practical examinations. In connection with group examinations, 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.

External programme supervisor

An external programme supervisor scheme is in place for the programme as required by the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet. The external supervisor will write an annual report on their work that will be included in the faculty’s area of the university’s quality assurance system.

Suitability assessment

The suitability assessment is a continuous overall assessment that takes place throughout the study programme. A student must be suitable for professional practice in order to receive diploma/certificate for the study programme.

If it appears that a student may pose a potential danger to the lives, physical and mental health, rights or safety of patients, clients and users during practical training or in future professional practice, it should be asked whether the student is suitable for the profession. University staff, personnel in practical training establishment, as well as students can submit a notification of doubt. The students concerned should be informed as soon as possible if such a notification of doubt has been sent. They should receive guidance and advice on how they can improve or be advised to withdraw from the programme.

https://student.oslomet.no/en/suitability-assessment

Suitability assessment is used in specialisation in Public Health Nursing, specialisation in Cancer Nursing and in Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction.

Programme description considered by the Academic Affairs Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences on 12 February 2020 and finally approved by the vice-dean on 13 March 2025.

Adopted by the University Board 9 september 2020

Faculty of Health Sciences

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2024