Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Biomedicine Programme description

The master's programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. The scope of the programme is 120 credits and is offered both as a two-year full-time course of study and as a three-year part-time course of study.

Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Biomedicine (Norwegian: Master i biomedisin) in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees.

The biomedical field is undergoing rapid development. New knowledge in the discipline of molecular biology and technological development in laboratory work, imaging and radiotherapy creates new challenges in diagnostics and treatment. DNA technology in particular has opened up new possibilities in diagnostic and therapeutic principles. The implementation of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that result from the development in biomedical analysis methods and radiation-based technology is more demanding in terms of validation, critical thinking and analysis founded on evidence-based knowledge. Choices of analyses, technology and procedures are crucial to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment.

The programme deals with basic biomedical sciences that are necessary for research, method development, and quality assurance in biomedical disciplines and laboratories. The study programme consists of courses that allow students to specialise in different areas. Depending on which programme option students choose, they will specialise in quality development and quality assurance of methods and procedures used in biomedical laboratories or in diagnostic imaging or radiotherapy departments.

The purpose of the programme is to educate second cycle degree candidates to cover the growing need for advanced knowledge resulting from the professional and technological development in biomedical laboratories, radiology and radiotherapy. Students will acquire the expertise required to establish and develop analysis methods, interpret their results and choose suitable methods in their work on different issues.

Professional opportunities and further education

Possible fields of work and careers after completing the programme include:

• biomedical research and development
• development and advisory functions in operational and quality-development matters in laboratories and radiotherapy
• development and advisory functions in guidance, administration and dissemination of knowledge in the health professions
• teaching, academic supervision and development functions at institutions responsible for biomedical education

A completed master's degree qualifies candidates to apply for admission to PhD programmes.

The programme description is specified in teaching plans that provide more specific information and rules for each course.

The target group is people with a minimum of three years' education in biomedical subjects. The programme is particularly relevant for applicants with an education in medical laboratory sciences, pharmacy and radiography, and for chemical engineers who have studied biotechnology.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet.

The minimum requirement for admission is a bachelor's degree, cand.mag. degree or vocational education with a scope of at least three years. To be admitted to the master's degree programme, the average grade for applicants' academic basis for admission must be C or better. The following also applies:

Candidates must have studied biomedical or natural sciences with at least 80 credits' specialisation in a course group that covers knowledge of chemistry, biology, physics and laboratory technology.

Additional points (education points) can be awarded for relevant education over and above the academic qualifications, see Section 12 (1) of the Regulations. By relevant education is meant education in medical, natural science or technology disciplines.

Additional points are also awarded for relevant work experience, see Section 12 (2) of the Regulations. By relevant work experience is meant all biomedicine-related work experience. This could be tasks relating to laboratory diagnostics or medical research and treatment.

Sixty-five per cent of places in the programme are reserved for students who compete for admission on the basis of their grade point average alone.

The programme will only run if there are enough students.

Admission to individual courses

All courses in the programme are also taught as individual courses, with the exception of the Master’s Thesis. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses. More information about admission to individual courses can be found on the programme’s website: https://www.oslomet.no/studier/hv/biomedisin

After completing the programme, the candidate is expected to have achieved the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge about biomedicine and specialised insight into the topic of his/her master's degree thesis
• has advanced knowledge about normal and pathological conditions and cell biological mechanisms
• has advanced knowledge about biomedical analysis methods
• applying his/her knowledge and skills to new fields to carry out advanced tasks and projects
• has in-depth knowledge about philosophy of science traditions.

Skills

The candidate is capable of

• analysing a biomedical problem and choosing the correct method
• quality-assuring biomedical analysis and/or treatment methods within his/her chosen area of specialisation
• conducting research work affiliated to a research group under supervision in an independent and ethically aware manner
• writing academic texts and presenting research results in accordance with the applicable conventions in the field of biomedicine.

Competence

The candidate is capable of

• analysing and discussing ethical issues in biomedical research
• analysing and presenting research results orally and in writing
• participating in discussions with colleagues and the general public about biomedical research and developments in the field
• contributing to new ideas and innovation in biomedicine, medical technology and other health science areas.

The study programme consists of courses that enable students to specialise in different areas. One programme option is suitable for medical laboratory technicians/engineers/pharmacists who want to specialise in biomedical research and development. There are two options for radiographers who want to specialise in CT or radiotherapy, respectively. The fourth option is for medical laboratory technicians and radiographers who want to specialise in nuclear medicine. Students can choose other course combinations than those recommended.

A student's academic/professional background and desired area of specialisation or the topic of his/her master's thesis will be decisive to his/her choice of programme option. The programme management provides advice and guidance.

The scope of the master's thesis is 60 credits, and it ensures in-depth specialisation in an area in the form of an independent scholarly work. Students are offered master's thesis topics related to hospitals, research institutions or the university's research environments. A thesis normally includes practical research work, but it could also be a theoretical work based on empirical data. Students are usually included in a research group. The thesis could also be based on independent development work carried out at the student's own place of work.

Students receive information about the programme options and the different courses during the first week of study, and must submit their choice of programme option in writing 3–4 weeks after the programme begins at the latest. Normally, at least ten registered students are required for a course to be taught.

Students will be offered alternative courses if an insufficient number of students register for their first choice. On the other hand, they are guaranteed a place on the courses offered. The ten-student limit could mean that students will have to choose another recommended programme option or an alternative combination of courses to complete the programme within the nominal length of study.

Study progress

Students must have passed all their exams for the first year before they can be given access to laboratories and academic supervision to work on their master's thesis.

Studiet er internasjonalt orientert og tar i bruk internasjonal forskning og faglitteratur. Noe av pensumlitteraturen er på engelsk. Noe av undervisningen kan også forekomme på engelsk. Det kan være aktuelt med gjesteforelesere, fra utenlandske institusjoner.

Studenter kan søke om praksisopphold i utlandet dersom samarbeid ligger til rette for gjeldende studieår. Dette vil bli opplyst ved praksisforberedelser.

Det er knyttet obligatoriske arbeidskrav til hvert emne i utdanningsløpet. Arbeidskrav for hvert emne må være godkjent før studenten kan fremstille seg til eksamen i det aktuelle emnet. De obligatoriske arbeidskravene bidrar til å sikre at kandidaten når et tilfredsstillende læringsutbytte og vil prøve kandidatens evne til å behandle, reflektere og drøfte over teori og praksis.

Arbeidskrav kan være:

• skriftlige oppgaver

• deltagelse på seminarer
• muntlige presentasjoner
• eller mer praktiske og praksisnære oppgaver som utforming av undervisningsopplegg innenfor fag

Arbeidskravene løses individuelt eller i gruppe. Arbeidskrav skal være innfridd innen fastsatte frister. Arbeidskrav vurderes til godkjent/ikke godkjent. Ved ikke godkjent har kandidaten anledning til å omarbeide arbeidskravet og levere til ny godkjenning ytterligere to ganger.

Det forutsettes at kandidaten deltar aktivt i både undervisning, seminar og veiledning. Det er derfor krav om 80% oppmøte på obligatorisk undervisning, seminar og veiledning. Dette skal sikre at studentene får delta aktivt i faglige refleksjoner og samarbeide om fagstoff knyttet til de ulike læringsutbyttene. Studenter som samlet har mer enn 20 prosent fravær fra obligatorisk deltagelse i et emne, får ikke anledning til å avlegge eksamen. Studenter som står i fare for å overskride fraværskvoten, får skriftlig melding om dette.

Gyldig fravær dokumentert ved for eksempel legeerklæring, fritar ikke for innfrielse av arbeidskrav. Studenter som på grunn av sykdom eller annen dokumentert gyldig årsak ikke innfrir arbeidskrav innen fristen, bør så langt det er mulig, kunne få et nytt forsøk før eksamen. Dette må avtales i hvert enkelt tilfelle med den aktuelle faglærer. Hvis det ikke er mulig å gjennomføre et nytt forsøk på grunn av fagets/emnets egenart, må studenten påregne å ta arbeidskravet ved neste mulige tidspunkt. Dette kan medføre forsinkelser i studieprogresjon.

Bestemmelser om eksamen er gitt i lov om universiteter og høgskoler og forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet og forskrift til rammeplan for praktisk-pedagogisk utdanning. Se OsloMets nettsider: www.oslomet.no

Det skilles mellom underveisvurdering og avsluttende vurdering. Underveisvurdering skal bidra konstruktivt til læring og videreutvikling hos studenten. Den avsluttende vurderingen skjer ved eksamen. I forbindelse med avsluttende vurdering benyttes en karakterskala fra A til E for bestått (A er høyeste karakter og E er laveste) og F for ikke bestått. Bestått/ikke bestått benyttes for praksisopplæringen.

Muntlig eksamen skal sensureres av to sensorer. Det er kun formelle feil som kan påklages ved muntlig eksamen. Andre eksamensformer kan ha en sensor og kan påklages.

Studieprogresjon

Det er anbefalt å ha gjennomført og bestått emne 1 er før studenten starter på emne 2. Dette gjelder både pedagogikk og fagdidaktikk. Studenter som ikke har bestått en eksamen etter ny/utsatt prøve, bør følge undervisningen i faget på nytt og gå opp til neste ordinære eksamen. Unntak fra bestemmelsene ovenfor kan innvilges av instituttledelsen etter søknad dersom særskilte grunner skulle tale for det.

Utsatt/ny eksamen

Oppmelding til ny/utsatt eksamen gjøres i Studentweb etter gjeldende frister. Ny/utsatt eksamen arrangeres normalt tidlig i påfølgende semester. For studenter som har levert eksamen og ikke fått bestått blir det arrangert ny eksamen. For studenter som ikke fikk avlagt ordinær eksamen blir det arrangert utsatt eksamen. Vilkårene for å gå opp til ny/utsatt eksamen gis i forskrift om studier og eksamen ved OsloMet. Nærmere informasjon om oppmelding til og tidspunkt for ny/utsatt eksamen finnes på Studentweb.

Kvalitetssikring

Hensikten med kvalitetssikringssystemet for OsloMet er å styrke studentenes læringsutbytte og utvikling ved å heve kvaliteten i alle ledd. OsloMet ønsker å samarbeide med studentene, og deres deltakelse i kvalitetssikringsarbeidet er avgjørende. Noen overordnede mål for kvalitetssikringssystemet er:

• å sikre at utdanningsvirksomheten inkludert praksis, lærings- og studiemiljøet holder høy kvalitet
• å sikre utdanningenes relevans til yrkesfeltet
• å sikre en stadig bedre kvalitetsutvikling

For studenter innebærer dette blant annet studentevalueringer:

• emneevalueringer
• årlige studentundersøkelser felles for OsloMet

Mer informasjon om kvalitetssikringssystemet, se her: www.hioa.no/Om-OsloMet/System-for-kvalitetssikring-og-kvalitetsutvikling-av-utdanningene-ved-OsloMet

Tilsynssensorordning

Tilsynssensorordningen er en del av kvalitetssikringen av det enkelte studium. En tilsynssensor er ikke en eksamenssensor, men en som har tilsyn med kvaliteten i studiene. Alle studier ved OsloMet skal være under tilsyn av tilsynssensor, men det er rom for ulike måter å praktisere ordningen på. Viser til retningslinjer for oppnevning og bruk av sensorer ved OsloMet, se her: https://student.oslomet.no/retningslinjer-sensorer

Programme description:

Approved by the Academic Affairs Committee at HiOA on 29 March 2012

Last amendments approved by the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences on 5 February 2019

The programme description applies to the academic year 2019-20.