Pharmacy Programme Programme description

The Bachelor’s Programme in Pharmacy is a three-year programme of professional study (180 credits). Students who complete the programme are awarded the degree of Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy, which forms the basis for authorisation as a prescriptionist in accordance with the Act relating to Health Personnel etc.

The title of pharmacist covers both the Norwegian titles reseptarfarmasøyt (pharmacist with a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy) and provisorfarmasøyt (pharmacist with a master’s degree in pharmacy). It is only the pharmacies’ pharmaceutical personnel who are independently entitled to dispense prescription pharmaceuticals or pharmaceuticals on requisition, which in accordance with applicable distribution regulations, must be subject to control by a pharmacist, cf. the Pharmacies Act Section 4-4.

The programme description has been drawn up on the basis of the National Regulations relating to a Common Curriculum for Health and Social Care Education and the Regulations on national guidelines for pharmacy education adopted by the Ministry of Education and Research. The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Bachelor’s Programme in Pharmacy – vocational competence and work tasks

The task of a pharmacist with a bachelor’s degree is to provide pharmaceutical services to the public in the form of advice and guidance, thereby helping to ensure correct and rational use of pharmaceuticals by individuals and in society at large.

The programme helps students to develop into responsible and reflected professionals who are qualified and in demand in their field of work. The students are expected to acquire the knowledge, skills and competence necessary to be granted authorisation as a pharmacist with a bachelor’s degree, and thereby also be entitled to dispense pharmaceuticals in Norwegian pharmacies.

Knowledge of pharmaceuticals and their application is a crucial basis for practising the profession. Pharmacists have knowledge of and skills in the production of pharmaceuticals, knowledge of the effect of pharmaceuticals on the body, and about the use and misuse of pharmaceuticals. Pharmacists must have basic theoretical knowledge attained from different topics and approaches in the field of pharmacy, and an understanding of good problem-solving in cooperation with users of pharmaceuticals, colleagues and other partners.

The pharmacy is an important supplier of pharmaceuticals to hospitals, nursing homes and home-based care services. The tasks undertaken by a pharmacist require contact and cooperation with other health personnel, such as doctors, dentists, nurses and veterinarians. Pharmacists are increasingly becoming part of an interdisciplinary team, where different healthcare professionals arrive together at the best pharmaceutical treatments for patients/users of pharmaceuticals. Relational and communication skills, including good oral and written presentation skills in Norwegian, are thereby an essential part of a pharmacist’s expertise and are used daily in their work.

Relevance to working life

OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University educates bachelor’s degree candidates in pharmacy, most of whom go on to work at pharmacies. Authorised pharmacists with a bachelor’s degree can work in middle management or management positions at pharmacies. The candidates may also be suitable for a variety of positions in the primary and specialist health service, in public administration and in the pharmaceutical industry.

Relevance to further education

Students who complete the Bachelor’s Programme in Pharmacy are qualified for admission to several master’s degree programmes. Master’s degree programmes in pharmacy offered at Oslomet – Oslo Metropolitan University, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and UiT the Arctic University of Norway are particularly relevant. The Master’s Programme in Health and Technology at OsloMet may also be relevant.

Masterstudium i sosialfag, studieretning sosialt arbeid er et tilbud til de som har fullført bachelorgrad eller treårig grunnutdanning i sosialt arbeid, barnevern eller vernepleie.

Opptakskravet er fullført bachelorgrad eller treårig grunnutdanning i sosialt arbeid, barnevern eller vernepleie.

Det vises til Forskrift om opptak til studier ved OsloMet - storbyuniversitetet.

Opptak til enkeltemner i dette programmet har samme krav som opptak til programmet, inkludert krav om karaktersnitt på C.

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has in-depth knowledge of the physical, chemical and pharmacological properties of key active ingredients
• has broad knowledge of the structure of the human body, its functions and disease development
• has broad knowledge of the composition and production of important types of pharmaceuticals, along with their physical, chemical and biopharmaceutical properties
• has broad 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 broad knowledge of the health service’s structure, division of responsibilities, cooperation and the significance of pharmaceuticals in the health services and society at large
• has broad knowledge of how system and patient-oriented pharmaceutical services can contribute to quality assuring treatment with pharmaceuticals and maintaining patient safety
• has basic knowledge of the quality requirements, quality assurance and quality control of pharmaceuticals and related products
• has knowledge of the significance of cooperation and interprofessional interaction
• is familiar with the history of pharmacy and the pharmacy profession

Skills

The candidate

• can dispense prescription pharmaceuticals, assess prescription instructions, identify and handle drug related problems, provide information about pharmaceuticals and facilitate user participation in a way that ensures proper medication use
• can stay up-to-date and apply professional knowledge that ensures rational drug use and responsible medicine administration
• can communicate pharmaceutical knowledge with professional confidence, both in writing and verbally, to all relevant groups, and can document the healthcare provided
• masters relevant techniques used in the production of pharmaceuticals
• can apply systems for quality assurance and control
• can make use of research-based knowledge, plan and carry out a project in the pharmacy discipline independently, or in cooperation with others, in accordance with generally accepted requirements that apply to the field
• can make use of research results in professional practice and critically reflect on his/her own professional practice

General competence

The candidate

• has insight into and an understanding of how drugs work and contribute to creating the best possible level of health, both at an individual and societal level
• can reflect on his/her own professional practice, and contribute to the development of the academic field and profession
• can work independently in accordance with acts, regulations and professional ethical guidelines
• has insight into and can identify, reflect on and handle ethical issues in pharmaceutical professional practice, showing respect for users of pharmaceutical services and providing guidance that safeguards their integrity and rights
• can plan and implement pharmacy-related laboratory tasks and projects that take place over time, alone or as part of a group
• can obtain and summarise relevant scientific documentation and distinguish between documented and undocumented information
• is familiar with innovation processes, and can contribute to service innovation, entrepreneurship and systematic and quality-improving work processes
• has insight into and an understanding of how pharmacovigilance, quality systems and quality and preparatory work contribute to safe use of medicines and increased patient safety

For å understøtte de ulike emnenes læringsutbytte benyttes det ulike læringsformer, pedagogiske metoder og vurderingsformer i utdanningen Varierte arbeidsformer og læringsmetoder i studiet fordrer aktiv studentdeltakelse både individuelt og i gruppe.

Gjennom gjentagende skriftlig arbeid får studenten trening i refleksjon, argumentasjon og ryddig framstilling. Muntlige framlegg og diskusjoner skal oppøve studenten i dialogiske og drøftende ferdigheter. Studieretningen fremmer i faglig selvstendighet gjennom egenstudium og gjennomføring av et større vitenskapelig arbeid.

Studenten skal benytte APA-stil ved kildehenvisninger i alle skriftlige oppgaver.

Det anbefales sterkt å danne kollokvier.

External practical training at a pharmacy takes place in the course FARBPRA in the third year of programme.

The students carry out supervised practical training at a community pharmacy. Supervised practical training entails supervision, assessment and the exchange of reflections between student and supervisor. The supervisor is an authorised pharmacist.

Practical training is an important arena for learning and developing action competence, a process that takes place when alternating between theory and practice. The student will have an opportunity to train in a real work situation, apply theoretical knowledge and improve their knowledge of the professional field. Practical training must be evidence-based and related to situations and issues of relevance to professional practice in order to provide experience of the pharmacist’s duties and responsibilities. The student will gradually develop a basis for professional discretion as a pharmacist and work towards fulfilling the pharmacist's professional role.

A manual for practical training at a pharmacy has been prepared, which contains guidelines for the period of practical training.

The practical training establishments are mainly located in Oslo and in the Eastern region of Norway, but it is also possible to carry out the training in other parts of the country. The students may need to commute to and from the practical training establishment. Students must comply with the clothing regulations in force at the practical training establishment. Vaccination may also be required. Separate requirements for attendance apply to practical training; see the section ‘Assessment of practical training’.

Internationalisation improves the quality of education and strengthens the academic community pertaining to the programme, at the same time as it prepares the students to become global citizens. The increasing globalisation of the labour market also makes international professional experience, language skills and cultural knowledge more and more important.

The study programme boasts a multicultural student environment and focuses on multicultural and global issues. This contributes to greater understanding and improves the students’ ability to work in a professional capacity in a multicultural society. The students gain access to specialist terminology in English through the use of an English syllabus, which comprises both textbooks and international research literature. Some courses will also be taught in English.

The staff’s network, research collaboration and cooperation with colleagues in other countries contribute to internationalisation. The programme is represented in international pharmacy education networks.

OsloMet has exchange agreements in place with universities and university colleges in Europe. The programme is adapted for study abroad during the entire or parts of the fifth semester, in connection with the courses:

• FARB3110 Social Pharmacy, Technology, Epidemiology and Statistics (15 credits) and
• FARB3900 Bachelor's Thesis (15 credits)

Students can only go on an exchange if the partner institution offers courses in subject areas corresponding to those covered at OsloMet in the semester the exchange applies to. Reference is otherwise made to the criteria that apply to student exchanges and the information about stays abroad.

In the fifth semester, the institution will also receive students from foreign educational institutions. For incoming students, the programme might for instance offer the following course combinations:

• NVHIN Supervised research project in the life sciences (15 credits) and FARB3900 Bachelor's Thesis (15 credits).
• FARB3110 Social Pharmacy, Technology, Epidemiology and Statistics (15 credits) and FARB3900 Bachelor's Thesis (15 credits)

In addition, FARB1300 Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology (15 credits) in the second semester is offered to incoming students, alternatively in combination with other courses offered at OsloMet in the spring semester.

The course FARB1300 Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology is taught entirely in English. Teaching in other courses can be adapted to English for international students as needed.

The students can decide whether they wish to write their bachelor’s thesis in English or Norwegian. Students who go on exchanges must write their thesis in English if the exchange is in a country outside Scandinavia.

Required coursework is all types of work, tests and compulsory attendance that are requirements for being permitted to take the exam. Required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The coursework requirements for each course are described in the respective course descriptions.

The primary purpose of coursework requirements is to contribute to the students' progress and academic development, and to stimulate the students to master the subject matter. The programme has coursework requirements in the form of compulsory attendance and laboratory assignments. Other coursework requirements may apply; see the course descriptions for more information.

Compulsory attendance

Attendance is compulsory for teaching activities that cover subject matter that the student cannot acquire on his or her own, or in teaching activities where cooperation with fellow students is a precondition for carrying out the activities.

A minimum attendance of 80% is required at seminars and compulsory scheduled and supervised group work. A minimum of either 80% or 90% attendance is required for skills training (laboratory courses and practical handling of prescriptions). Other activities may also be subject to compulsory attendance requirements. Detailed provisions on compulsory attendance are set out in the course descriptions and teaching plans.

The attendance requirements must be met before the student can take the exam in the course. Students will be contacted if they are at risk of exceeding the maximum limit for absence. If it emerges that a student has exceeded the limit for absence, the lecturer must assess whether and how the student can compensate for the absence. Whether or not it is possible to compensate for absence depends on the extent of the student's absence and which activities they have missed. Absence from compulsory teaching activities that cannot be compensated for may lead to delayed progress in the programme.

Laboratory reports

In certain laboratory courses, the student must document his/her laboratory work through written reports (lab reports).

Reports that are not approved after the first submission must be improved and re-submitted.

Emneplanen er godkjent av utdanningsutvalget ved Fakultet for lærerutdanning og internasjonale studier 21. juni 2021.

Dette er en fordypning som gir kompetanse i å undervise og lede arbeid i kroppsøving på barnetrinnet. Videre vil emnet tematisere profesjonsfaglige kompetanser som klasseledelse, tilpasset / universell undervisning, planlegging og gjennomføring av undervisning på barnetrinnet.

No prerequisite knowledge required.