EPN-V2

FARB3110 Social Pharmacy, Technology, Epidemiology, and Statistics Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Samfunnsfarmasi, teknologi, statistikk og epidemiologi
Study programme
Pharmacy Programme
Weight
15.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

This course covers the role of pharmaceuticals in the prevention and treatment of illness from an individual and societal perspective. Emphasis is placed on subjects in the field of social pharmacy and medicine epidemiology. Statistical concepts, epidemiology and critical assessment of articles are also covered in the course, as well as digital competence with insights into e-health, welfare technology, and digital security.

Required preliminary courses

The student must have passed all the courses from the first year of study and may lack a maximum of one passed course from the second year.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • is familiar with the routines and procedures for medication reviews and discussions
  • can explain key concepts in the field of epidemiological methodology
  • can explain ethical dilemmas relevant to epidemiological research
  • can explain key statistical concepts in medical statistics
  • is familiar with clinical testing of pharmaceuticals and the pertaining collection of and requirements relating to documentation
  • is familiar with the concept of health competence and how variations in health competence influence different patients’ and user groups’ coping with disease, mastery and self-care
  • is familiar with the import, economics and pricing of pharmaceuticals
  • is familiar with the research processes involved in pre-clinical and clinical studies, the requirements for approval of pharmaceuticals and plant-based products and how pharmaceuticals are marketed

Skills

The student

  • can apply epidemiological concepts
  • can apply digital tools in statistical calculations and graphical presentations of prescription statistics and other figures that concern the use of pharmaceuticals
  • can use evidence-based subject matter and innovation in project work, communicate this and contribute to professional discussions
  • can assist in the development and use of appropriate technology at both individual and system levels

General competence

The student

  • shows an understanding of drug related problems from an individual and social perspective
  • can reflect on the quality and validity of documentation from clinical trials
  • can contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship as approaches to healthcare
  • has digital competence with insights into e-health, welfare technology, and digital security

Content

Subjects covered by the course:

  • Social pharmacy
  • Epidemiology
  • Statistics
  • Innovation and technology

Teaching and learning methods

The work and teaching methods comprise lectures, group work, project work, seminars, practical student exercises, digital teaching and work on assignments.

Course requirements

The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

  • Minimum attendance of 80% in compulsory scheduled and supervised group work
  • Digital storytelling in groups
  • Project assignment in groups with a pitch on innovation and entrepreneurship
  • Project assignment in groups on e-health, welfare technology, and digital security, up to 3000 words. The assignment must be submitted and presented at a seminar.

Assessment

Individual multiple choice exam under supervision, 4 hours.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Alphanumeric/financial calculator with cleared memory. A digital calculator is available to the student during the exam.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

All answers are reviewed by two examiners. An external examiner is regularly involved in the design of assignment sets and assessment criteria, at least every third completion of the course.

Overlapping courses

  • 10 credits overlap with the course FARMA3100 Social Pharmacy and Epidemiology
  • 10 credits overlap with the course FARB3100 Social Pharmacy, Epidemiology and Statistics