Strategy Process Programme description

The Master’s Programme in Health and Technology with specialisations is a master’s degree with a scope of 120 credits in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master’s Degrees, 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.

The programme includes specialisations in assistive technology in health, biomedicine and radiography. The students will acquire in-depth knowledge in the chosen specialisation and will gain detailed knowledge of technology relating to the discipline covered by the specialisation. Through common courses across the specialisations, an overview is provided of technology developments in the field of health in general, of relevance to both the specialist and municipal health services, as well as for research. Students learn about innovation and entrepreneurship to create new solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration between public and private actors, and about how the implementation and use of technology affects the health sector, individuals, and society. The students will also become familiar with legislation that regulates health research, the collection and use of personal data and health data, and the use of human biological specimen. The programme will also address ethical challenges relating to the development and implementation of technology in the health context, and the importance of user participation will be highlighted and discussed.

A greater need for health and care services in the years ahead means that interdisciplinary cooperation and efficient use of technology will be important to maintain sustainable health services. The programme will contribute to a greater understanding of technology and enhanced technological skills in the field. The students will learn to communicate about their own discipline in a way others can understand, which is important to be able to contribute to interdisciplinary projects. Compulsory common courses and elective courses across specialisations foster interdisciplinary collaboration between the disciplines covered by the programme.

Specialisations

Applicants must choose and apply directly for the specialisation they wish to take when applying for the master’s programme. Different admission requirements apply to the specialisations; see more information under Admission requirements. Parts of the programme will include joint teaching, partly through compulsory common courses and partly through options across the specialisations. Some courses will be held jointly with other master’s degree programmes at OsloMet.

Students who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master in Health and Technology, with one of the following specialisations:

• Assistive Technology in Health
• Biomedicine
• Radiography

The name of the specialisation will be stated on the diploma alongside the name of the degree.

MAATH: Assistive Technology in Health

The specialisation emphasises assistive technology in health (ATH) (referred to as welfare technology in the Nordic countries) in an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented, and person-centred context, at both individual and system levels within specialist health services and municipal health and social services. ATH is aimed at promoting health and preventing illness through treatment and (re)habilitation to improve cost-effective and sustainable health and social services. Students learn how ATH can assist individuals in activity, participation, safety, dignity, and coping in everyday life. Examples of ATH include technical and orthopaedic aids, exoskeleton technology, smart home technology, robot assistants, GPS, technologies for activity and movement analysis, computer-controlled (bionic) prostheses and orthoses, and artificial intelligence. The specialisation emphasises knowledge and skills in developing, piloting, implementing, and evaluating complex interventions with ATH in collaboration between private and public actors. Students learn to analyse the interaction between humans, health, activity, participation, movement, and technology.

MABIO: Biomedicine

The biomedical field integrates natural sciences, technology, and health sciences, forming the foundation for medical diagnostics and treatment with a global health perspective. The specialisation in biomedicine is aimed at students seeking advanced knowledge and expertise in biomedical sciences. Students will explore the biological mechanisms underlying human health and disease, gaining a profound understanding of cellular and molecular processes. They will learn about relevant bioanalytical methods, laboratory diagnostic technology, statistics, and quality assurance of analytical methods through both theoretical instruction and practical laboratory work. The programme emphasises the development of critical thinking, ethical reflection, scientific communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration skills.

MARAD: Radiography

The specialisation emphasises the use of various technologies in medical radiation and the importance of these technologies in the health service to ensure synergies between technology and health. Students will choose one of two directions within radiography: conventional radiography or CT. The specialisation is practice-oriented and profession-oriented and is designed to meet increasing demands for expertise in diagnostics and treatment in connection with medical use of radiation. Students will gain in-depth expertise in optimisation and imaging, focusing on personalised examinations and forms of treatment.

Relevance to working life

Technological expertise is in demand in the health sector, and a Master’s Degree in Health and Technology can lead to many career opportunities in the public and private sectors alike. Possible fields of work and career paths in health and technology after completing the programme include:

• research, development of the field, and teaching
• advisory functions in the public administration, knowledge dissemination and counselling
• clinical or diagnostic work based on specialised expertise
• managerial positions in disciplines relating to health and technology
• innovation and implementation processes
• product and service development

Relevance to further education

Candidates with a Master’s Degree in Health and Technology are qualified to apply for admission to PhD programmes, including the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at OsloMet.

Students may apply for admission to the research programme at the Faculty of Health Sciences while taking the master’s programme. This is taken in parallel to and as an extension of the master’s programme. The research programme gives students advanced researcher expertise in addition to that provided during the ordinary master’s programme. Results from this research work may later, on application, form part of PhD-level work.

Sustainability

The 2030 Agenda is the UN’s plan of action for global sustainable development, specified as 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through global partnerships, the world must work together to end poverty and hunger, ensure good health and education for all and reduce climate change and inequality. Some of the goals can be achieved through the development and implementation of different technologies. The Master’s Programme in Health and Technology is particularly aimed at promoting good health and well-being (SDG3), quality education (SDG4), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), reduced inequality (SDG10) and partnership for the goals (SDG17).

The 17 SDGs must be seen as a whole, where each goal is seen in conjunction with the others. The purpose of the programme is to educate candidates who are active global citizens with knowledge of how technology contributes to sustainable health services, good health and an inclusive society for all, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education, sexuality and functional ability.

Students apply for and are admitted directly to the specialisation of their choice. The requirement for admission to the Master’s Programme in Health and Technology is a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree within a specified field, with an average grade of at least C. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places on the programme, applicants will be ranked according to applicable ranking rules.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet. The specialisations will only be run if a sufficient number of qualified candidates apply.

Admission requirements for the individual specialisations

Specialisation in assistive technology in health

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in health and social sciences, social sciences, economics, psychology, education, design, informatics, or engineering.

Specialisation in biomedicine

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy, biotechnology, biomedicine, chemical engineering or molecular biology. A minimum of 30 credits must include courses with practical laboratory work.

Specialisation in radiography

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent degree in radiography.

Special admission to the specialisation in radiography Candidates with a bachelor's degree in radiography who have also completed further education in radiotherapy (60 ECTS credits) according to the programme description from the academic year 2014/15 (student cohort 2014H) or later, can apply for a special admission to the specialisation in radiography. The admission requirements are as follows:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in radiography
• Completed further education in radiotherapy, according to the programme description from the academic year 2014/15 (student year group 2014H) or later

Grades from the further education in radiotherapy may be included in the calculation basis to meet the necessary academic minimum requirements.