Introduction to Theatre Directing Programme description

After completing the Master’s Programme in Pharmacy, the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge of the effects and use of pharmaceuticals and their role in the prevention and treatment of illness from an individual and societal perspective
• has in-depth knowledge of the synthesis, isolation, structural elucidation, structure-activity relationship, stability and bioavailability of key active ingredients
• has in-depth knowledge of the formulation and production of various forms of pharmaceuticals
• has in-depth knowledge of quality assurance and control of all stages in the development and production of pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical-related services
• has in-depth knowledge in a field relevant to pharmacy, of scientific methods and key principles and regulations related to research ethics
• has knowledge of different leadership roles in pharmaceutical businesses

Skills

The candidate

• can analyse and adapt advanced pharmaceutical therapy and drug administration in cooperation with other health personnel, next of kin and patients
• can carry out analyses and quality control of pharmaceutical ingredients and end products and take a critical approach to the quality of pharmaceuticals
• can discuss and apply relevant principles for the formulation and production of key types of pharmaceuticals
• can apply relevant academic knowledge and use pharmaceutical services to suggest solutions to advanced theoretical and practical challenges in the field of pharmacy
• can analyse and discuss rational use of pharmaceuticals in relation to health economic principles from an individual and societal perspective
• can carry out, under supervision, a limited and independent pharmacy-related research and development project in accordance with the requirements of the applicable research methodology and ethical standards in the field

General competence

The candidate

• can apply knowledge and skills to contribute to creating the best possible level of health and correct use of pharmaceuticals, both at an individual and societal level
• can contribute to optimal pharmaceutical treatment for individual and groups of patients through interdisciplinary cooperation with other health personnel
• can actively contribute to quality development and innovation processes in the field and to developing the role of pharmacists in society at the national and international level
• can communicate the importance of scientific and evidence-based documentation
• can analyse ethical issues in pharmaceutical practice and reflect on research ethics issues in the field of pharmacy
• can discuss pharmaceutical issues, analyses, research results and conclusions with relevant professionals in the field

The master’s programme is organised as a full-time course of study over two years and is divided into six compulsory courses and one elective course. The programme comprises both practical and theoretical tuition at the university and external practical training. Each year of the programme has a scope of 60 credits.

The first year of the programme comprises courses that build and elaborate on the basic subjects from the bachelor’s degree: social pharmacy, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutics. The year includes two pharmacy-specific courses and two common courses with other master’s degree programmes, in addition to external practical training in a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy.

• Students take the course Theory of Science, Ethics and Research Methods (10 ECTS credits) together with students from the Master’s Programme in Health and Technology. The students will acquire knowledge about different theory of science approaches and an understanding of the background and application of research ethics and scientific methods.
• The course Innovation within Healthcare (10 ECTS credits) is intended to introduce the students to relevant terminology and give them an understanding of innovative processes, and they will design an innovation project in collaboration with other students. The course takes an interdisciplinary approach, which is important to understanding the many innovation opportunities in health sciences, including the development of new pharmaceuticals and services. The course is also open to students from other master’s programmes.
• In Patient-Centered Treatment and Health Literacy (15 ECTS credits), students will acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of advanced and individualised pharmaceutical treatment of different and vulnerable groups of patients. Their communication skills and health literacy will also be developed. The course is intended to prepare students for the challenges pharmacists encounter as pharmaceutical experts in society and as participants in the development of patient-centred tasks and services in hospitals and municipal health services.
• In Advanced Pre-Registration Training (10 ECTS credits) students will take practical training for two months at a community pharmacy or hospital pharmacy. Considerable emphasis is placed on pharmacists’ responsibilities and roles in pharmacies and on communication and cooperation with other health personnel and patients/users.
• In Development and Manufacturing of Medicinal Products (15 ECTS credits), the students will gain a broader understanding of how pharmaceuticals are developed, including medicinal chemistry, drug analysis and knowledge of the production of key types of pharmaceuticals. The course also includes some practical laboratory work. The students will further develop their knowledge and skills in quality control.

The second year of the programme comprises the master’s thesis and an elective course.

• The master’s thesis (50 ECTS credits) is a supervised, independent and delimited research and development project. The topic and research question can be selected from among all the pharmacy courses. Work on the thesis can be carried out at OsloMet or a partner institution in Norway or abroad.
• In the elective course (10 ECTS credits), the student chooses a relevant course from another master’s programme, preferably one of the courses in the Faculty of Health Sciences’ programme portfolio (see more information below). Which elective courses the faculty offers each semester/ study year will vary. It can also be possible to select courses from other faculties at OsloMet or other educational institutions in Norway or abroad. To ensure that the workload is as even as possible throughout the year, the student is in principle recommended to take the elective course in the autumn semester. However, it can be taken in the spring semester if the student prefers.

All courses conclude with a final assessment. See the section ‘Assessment and grading’ for more information about the programme’s assessment arrangements.

The academic year is 40 weeks long, and the expected workload is 40 hours per week. This includes scheduled activities, the students’ own activity, required coursework and exams.

Elective course

The following courses at the Faculty of Health Sciences are pre-approved and offered as elective courses for students at the Master’s Programme in Pharmacy:

• MABIO4110 Molecular Cell Biology, 10 ECTS credits (AUTUMN)
• HETEK4300 Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Resistance, 10 ECTS credits (AUTUMN)
• MAVIT5800 Introduction to Clinical Studies for Healthcare Personnel, 10 ECTS credits (AUTUMN)
• MAVIT4800 Personalized Nutrition, 10 ECTS credits (AUTUMN)
• MSLV4200 Collaboration and Collaborative Managment, 10 credits (AUTUMN)
• MABIO4410 Genomic Analysis, 10 ECTS credits (SPRING)
• MAVIT5100 Health Communication, 10 credits (AUTUMN)
• SFV5100 Digital Revolution? Social Science Perspectives on Technology in the Health and Social Care Sector, 10 credits (AUTUMN)

Note that there may be an upper limit for the number of places on each elective course. Also note that courses can be cancelled if there are less than 10 students registered for the course.

Students must apply for a place on elective courses no later than the semester before, subject to specific deadlines.

It is also possible to choose other master’s courses at the Faculty of Health Sciences, master’s courses from other faculties at OsloMet or courses offered at other educational institutions. In such cases, the student must apply for approval of the desired course as an elective course in the master’s programme. The master’s programme coordinator assesses the application. If the desired course is approved, the student must contact the course provider herself/himself and apply for admission to the course.

Study progress

The following progress requirements apply to the programme:

• Students must complete and pass all courses in the first year of the programme before they can start the course MAFAR5900 Master’s Thesis.

The work and teaching methods facilitate the integration of knowledge, skills and general competence and are designed to have the greatest possible transfer value to professional practice. Emphasis is therefore placed on using varied and student-active work and teaching methods and alternating between theoretical studies and practical training.

The students will receive follow-up throughout the programme in the form of supervision and feedback. They will at times also assess each other’s work and provide feedback to each other (peer review).

More detailed descriptions of the most common work and teaching methods used in the programme are provided below. The individual course descriptions state which work methods each course employs. The 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 platforms, digital lectures, video clips, podcasts, tests and assignments. These resources can be used to prepare for teaching sessions, during seminars using the flipped classroom method, and as part of self-study. This form of teaching requires the students to meet prepared for the organised teaching activities. Interaction will also take place digitally, in the form of virtual meetings, webinars etc.

Self-study and student cooperation/group work

Learning requires a high degree of own activity and self-study in the form of 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 subject. Students are encouraged to take initiative to schedule and actively participate in study groups to promote learning. In some courses, it is vital that students work together on various cases and assignments to find joint solutions.

Skills training/laboratory work

During skills training, students will work individually or in groups in the laboratory on issues of relevance to the course they are taking. The students will conduct experiments or solve practical assignments that show their theoretical understanding of various methods and techniques in accordance with procedures and quality control. They will also acquire the skills required to carry out the assignments in an independent manner.

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

Seminars

Seminars emphasise dialogue and discussion between the subject teacher(s) and students in order to stimulate the student’s academic development. Oral 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 the students to learn from each other. Research-based issues, methods and academic supervision are among the topics discussed in the seminars. Seminars can also take place on digital collaboration platforms.

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 research-based issues and literature.

Projects, assignments and supervision

Through written assignments, case histories and the master’s thesis, the 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 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.