Bachelor Programme in Business Administration and Economics Programme description

Students who complete the programme, which has a scope of 180 credits, are awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. After completing the programme and two years' internship, students can apply for authorisation as a prosthetist/orthotist pursuant to the Act relating to Health Personnel and the Regulations relating to practical training (turnus) for prosthetist/orthotists and chiropractors.

The primary function of a prosthetist/orthotist is to contribute to providing people with orthopaedic appliances that promote function, activity and participation. Prosthetist/orthotists also perform health-promoting work to prevent or reduce functional impairment in future. The appliances are divided into two main groups; prostheses and orthoses. A prosthesis replaces a missing body part, while an orthosis relieves and/or supports an existing body part with impaired or lost functionality. Orthoses include orthopaedic footwear.

Prosthetist/orthotists operate at the intersection between health sciences and engineering. This means that professional practice requires good knowledge and good cooperation with the user, in combination with the ability to develop individually adapted technical solutions. The work requires a high degree of cooperation with other professions, particularly cooperation with orthopaedic technicians.

Professional practice can be divided into a clinical and a technical part. The clinical part is about preparing and implementing a prosthetic and orthotic management plan, which involves adapting and adjusting prostheses and orthoses. All prostheses and orthoses must be adapted especially to suit the individual user. Achieving a good result requires good communication and cooperation with the user. The user group ranges from small children to the elderly, which means that cooperation with users could also involve parents, guardians and next of kin.

In order to achieve a good result, prosthetist/orthotists need technical expertise in the development and quality-assurance of appliances. This expertise entails knowledge about the use of different materials, production skills and HSE (health, safety and the environment) measures.

Prosthetist/orthotists participate in interprofessional teams and sometimes function as consultants when users have complex needs that can only be met through cooperation between several professional groups and/or public agencies. All Norwegian health and social care education programmes shall therefore have common content to support interprofessional cooperation in order to ensure that the welfare state can offer users comprehensive measures that form a coherent whole in a diverse society.

Technological developments will probably lead to an increasing need for prostheses, orthoses and other assistive technology. Prosthetist/orthotists have important expertise on how to develop these appliances. The average life expectancy is rising, which means that the need for appliances will increase. The demand for prosthetist/orthotists is also increasing in developing countries. The technological development is progressing rapidly, which makes new and more advanced solutions possible. Prosthetist/orthotists are natural participants in this innovation to improve quality and develop new solutions.

Today, most prosthetist/orthotists in Norway work in private enterprises that have funding contracts with the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV). Some enterprises are located in hospitals. Other potential workplaces include the public administration, special interest organisations for people with disabilities, and enterprises and agencies that provide medical technology equipment to the healthcare sector.

The Bachelor's Programme in Prosthetics and Orthotics qualifies students for admission to several different master's degree programmes. Rehabilitation and habilitation, health sciences, biomechanics and human movement science are some of the most relevant options.

The programme description 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 description complies with the recommended guidelines for study programmes issued by the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO).

Masterprogrammet er organisert som et heltidsstudium med 90 studiepoeng i de tre første semestrene. Masteroppgaven på 30 studiepoeng fordeler seg over ett år. Studiets normerte tid er til sammen to og et halvt år. Spesialiseringen i akuttsykepleie har 30 uker med praksisstudier fordelt på de tre første semestrene. Praksisstudiene beskrives under kapittel Praksisstudier.

Programmet har i tillegg til felles masteroppgave to fellesemner som er Medisinsk og naturvitenskapelig kunnskap, 10 stp. og Vitenskapsteori, forskningsmetode og kvalitetsarbeid, 15 stp.

Spesialiseringene har egne emner for sine funksjons- og ansvarsområder og andre spesialiseringsemner. Prosjektbeskrivelse til masteroppgaven ligger i spesialsykepleiers emner for funksjons- og ansvarsområder for akuttsykepleie.

Masteroppgaven skrives over to semestre og tilrettelegger dermed for at studentene kan arbeide ved siden av, parallelt med oppgaveskriving.

Normal arbeidsinnsats på fulltid er 40 timer per uke. Dette inkluderer praksisstudier, timeplanlagt aktivitet, studentens egenaktivitet, arbeidskrav og eksamen.

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 two specialisations cancer nursing and public health nursing 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. For a full overview, see the tables below showing the normal structure of the programme for each specialisation.

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. Tables 1 and 2 below show the course organisation for normal study progress for full-time students writing a master’s thesis worth 50 and 30 ECTS credits, respectively. The tables are read from left to right.

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. 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 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. These two courses are compulsory for all students taking the programme.

The third course, MAVIT4070, is compulsory for students on most specialisations. 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/MAVITD5900) or 30 ECTS credits (MAVIT5910/MAVITD5910/MAVITD5920), 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 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 two specialisations cancer nursing and public health nursing 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. 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 6 students. More information about the elective courses can be found here: More information about the elective courses

In the course of the master’s programme, the students can choose one or more elective courses depending on their chosen specialisation. These courses can be selected to form part of all specialisations and 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. There will be an upper limit for places on each elective course. Students are therefore asked to rank the elective courses that form part of their course of study according to their wishes, and are guaranteed a place on one of their ranked courses. The elective courses will only be run if there are enough applicants.

The following courses are elective for all students taking the Master’s Degree 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
• MAVIT5200 The Health and Welfare of Migrant Populations, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5300 Knowledge Translation, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5400 Alliance and Shared Decision Making, 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
• MSLV4200 Collaboration and collaborative management, 10 stp.

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
• MERG4100 The Knowledge Base for Occupation and Participation, 10 ECTS credits
• MAERN4100 Energy and Nutrients, 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

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

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
• MAELD4200 Physiotherapy for Older Adults with a Disability, 10 ECTS credits
• MAMUS4100 Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions – Part 1, 10 ECTS credits
• MAMUS4200 Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal Conditions – Part 2, 10 ECTS credits

Study progress

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

• Specialisation in Mental Health Care, starting with a project description in course MAVIT4060 Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods, 10 ECTS credits. The project description is part of the work requirement in course MAVITD5920 Master's thesis.
• 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 MAMUS4100 and MAMUS4200 for a more detailed description of the content of the specialisation courses.

Masterprogrammet er organisert som et heltidsstudium med 90 studiepoeng i de tre første semestrene. Masteroppgaven på 30 studiepoeng fordeler seg over ett år. Studiets normerte tid er til sammen to og et halvt år. Spesialiseringen intensivsykepleie har 30 uker med praksisstudier fordelt på de tre første semestrene. Praksisstudiene beskrives under kapittel Praksisstudier.

Programmet har i tillegg til felles masteroppgave to fellesemner som er Medisinsk og naturvitenskapelig kunnskap, 10 stp. og Vitenskapsteori, forskningsmetode og kvalitetsarbeid, 15 stp.

Spesialiseringene har egne emner for sine funksjons- og ansvarsområder og andre spesialiseringsemner. Prosjektbeskrivelse til masteroppgaven ligger i spesialsykepleiers emner for funksjons- og ansvarsområder for intensivsykepleie.

Masteroppgaven skrives over to semestre og tilrettelegger dermed for at studentene kan arbeide ved siden av, parallelt med oppgaveskriving.

Normal arbeidsinnsats på fulltid er 40 timer per uke. Dette inkluderer praksisstudier, timeplanlagt aktivitet, studentens egenaktivitet, arbeidskrav og eksamen.

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.

Gradert skala A-F.

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 11 February 2022

Adopted by the University Board 9 september 2020

Faculty of Health Sciences

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2022

Practical training ranges from single days of observation to six-week periods of supervised practical training. Observational practice can take place at orthopaedic technology enterprises, rehabilitation institutions, assistive technology centres and with orthopaedic appliance suppliers.

Supervised practical training in private prosthetic and orthotic companies make up the bulk of the practical training, corresponding to 18 weeks (30 credits). These training periods include supervision, assessment and the exchange of reflections between student and supervisor. Direct contact with users and other partners in real situations form the basis for the students acquisition of knowledge, skills and general competence. The focus is on theoretical and clinical knowledge and skills, but students must develop their technical skills. Learning outcomes become more advanced from one period to the next, both in terms of knowledge and skills and when it comes to taking responsibility and being capable of working independently.

As the only educational institution in Norway with a prosthetics and orthotics programme, the programme at Oslo Metropolitan University has cooperation agreements with prosthetic and orthotic companies all over Norway. Students must therefore be prepared to take practical training periods outside the Oslo area.

Det kliniske feltet er en avgjørende kvalifiseringsarena for utvikling av handlingskompetanse for spesialsykepleiere og utøvelse av kunnskapsbasert praksis. Utøvelse av faglig forsvarlig spesialsykepleie til akutt og/eller kritisk syke pasienter må læres i direkte samhandling med pasienter. Bare på denne måten får studenten erfaring og utfordring som er komplekse nok til at læringsutbyttet for studiet kan nås, det er derfor obligatorisk tilstedeværelse i praksisstudiene. I sykepleie til akutt og/eller kritisk syke pasienter må beslutninger ofte fattes raskt, og gjennom praksisstudiene tilegner studenten seg klinisk erfaring for å utvikle en umiddelbar forståelse av pasientsituasjoner og hvilken kunnskap og handling de krever.

Alle spesialiseringer har tre praksisemner fordelt på de tre første semestrene. Spesialiseringen i anestesisykepleie har 30 uker med praksisstudier fordelt slik:

1. semester 7 uker 10 stp.
2. semester 16 uker 25 stp.
3. semester 7 uker 10 stp.

I tillegg har spesialiseringen anestesisykepleie 10 dager simulering og ferdighetstrening.

Veiledning og vurdering i praksisstudier

Praksisstudiene er veiledet. Praksisveiledere fra praksisstedet skal som hovedregel ha formell veilederkompetanse, fortrinnsvis være av samme profesjon og ha relevant faglig kunnskap. Det gis også veiledning fra praksislærer ved OsloMet underveis. Universitetet har i henhold til lov om universiteter og høgskoler ansvaret for endelig vurdering av studenten. Se mer under kapittel Vurdering og sensur.

Konkretisering av læringsutbytte

I begynnelsen av hver praksisperiode skal studenten konkretisere læringsutbyttet for emnet i forhold til egne læreforutsetninger og rammene ved den avdelingen der emnet gjennomføres som skal godkjennes av praksisveileder og praksislærer. Disse læringsutbyttebeskrivelsene skal være konkrete, relevante, realistiske og målbare. De skal beskrive synlig atferd, som for eksempel handlinger, prestasjoner eller ferdigheter, eller resultater av en usynlig mental atferd, som for eksempel holdningsendring. De skal bidra til å klargjøre hva studenten trenger å lære, og hvilke læresituasjoner som er nødvendige for å nå dem. Dette gir retning for hvilken veiledning som er nødvendig, og gir holdepunkter ved vurdering.

Turnus

Praksisstudiene gjennomføres etter en turnusplan som utarbeides i samarbeid mellom student, praksisveileder og praksislærer. Hver praksisuke skal minst ha 30 timer med pasient- og brukernær praksis. Ved utarbeidelse av turnusplan skal kontinuitet i veiledningen bestrebes, og studenten skal derfor i størst mulig grad følge praksisveilederen sin. Dette innebærer også praksis aften-, natt- og enkelte helgevakter.

Økende globalisering av arbeidsmarkedet gjør internasjonal erfaring, språk- og kulturkunnskap stadig viktigere for profesjonen. Kunnskap om internasjonale forhold er også viktig for kunnskapsutviklingen i sykepleiefaget. Studiet har flerkulturelle og globale problemstillinger i flere av sine emner, som bidrar til internasjonalisering hjemme for studenter som ikke drar på utveksling. Dette bidrar til økt forståelse for og evne til å arbeide profesjonelt i et multikulturelt samfunn.

Internasjonal litteratur brukes i stor grad på pensum i alle emnene. Det dreier seg både om fagbøker, forskningsartikler og prosedyrer. Hensikten er at studentene skal få innsikt i og et internasjonalt perspektiv på temaer knyttet til utdanningene. Internasjonal litteratur sammen med norsk litteratur vil kunne gi studentene flere perspektiver slik at de får et bredere kunnskapsgrunnlag som de kan ta faglige avgjørelser og diskusjoner på grunnlag av. Studentene får også øvelse i å lese engelsk fagterminologi, noe som er viktig når de skal fortsette å holde seg faglig oppdatert etter endt utdanning.

Programmets internasjonale nettverk, forskningssamarbeid og ansattes samarbeid med kollegaer i andre land bidrar til internasjonaliseringen.

Det er tilrettelagt for at studentene ved programmet kan dra på utveksling i praksis i andre semester. Studentene kan gjennomføre tre måneder praksis i utlandet, i siste halvdel av semesteret. I noen tilfeller kan utreise et helt semester i praksis og teoriemner i andre semester være mulig, og det kan også være aktuelt med kortere praksisopphold i forbindelse med praksisperioden i tredje semester.

For å kunne dra på utveksling, må studenter ha bestått alle eksamener så langt i studiet og ikke stå i fare for å få "ikke bestått" ved vurdering i praksisstudier.

Oversikt over utvekslingsmulighetene er tilgjengelig her: https://student.oslomet.no/utveksling-hv

Det er mulig å reise ut for selvstendig arbeid i forbindelse med masteroppgaven i fjerde og femte semester, der det er hensiktsmessig for oppgavens tematikk og problemstilling. Dette avtales mellom student og veileder, og studenten fortsetter å følges opp fra OsloMet. Studenten må oppfylle arbeidskrav og obligatoriske aktiviteter knyttet til masteroppgaven.

Høstsemesteret er tilrettelagt for å ta imot studenter fra utenlandske partneruniversiteter, i forbindelse med Medisinsk og naturvitenskapelig kunnskap (10 stp.) som undervises på engelsk. Dette emnet kan kombineres med emner fra andre programmer, for eksempel fra Masterstudium i helsevitenskap. De internasjonale studentenes deltagelse vil gi interessante bidrag til faglige perspektiver inn i undervisningen.