Bachelor’s Programme in Pharmacy 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.

Kandidaten har etter fullført studium følgende totale læringsutbytte definert i kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:

Kunnskap

Kandidaten

• har inngående kunnskap om sentrale virkestoffers fysikalske, kjemiske og farmakologiske egenskaper
• har bred kunnskap om kroppens oppbygging, funksjon og sykdomsutvikling
• har bred kunnskap om sammensetning og fremstilling av sentrale legemiddelformer, samt deres fysikalske, kjemiske og biofarmasøytiske egenskaper
• har bred kunnskap om legemidlers effekter, bruk og plass i forebygging og behandling av sykdom ut fra et individ- og samfunnsperspektiv
• har bred kunnskap om helsevesenets oppbygging, ansvarsfordeling, samhandling og legemidlers betydning i helsetjeneste og samfunn
• har bred kunnskap om hvordan system- og pasientrettede farmasøytiske tjenester kan bidra til å kvalitetssikre legemiddelbehandling og ivareta pasientsikkerhet
• har grunnleggende kunnskap om kvalitetskrav, -sikring og -kontroll av legemidler og legemiddelrelaterte produkter
• har kunnskap om betydningen av samarbeid og tverrprofesjonell samhandling
• kjenner til farmasiens historie og farmasøytiske yrkesroller

Ferdigheter

Kandidaten

• kan ekspedere resepter, vurdere reseptordinasjoner, identifisere og håndtere legemiddelrelaterte problemer, gi legemiddelinformasjon og tilrettelegge for brukermedvirkning på en måte som sikrer riktig legemiddelbruk
• kan holde seg oppdatert og anvende faglige kunnskaper som sikrer rasjonell legemiddelbruk og forsvarlig legemiddelhåndtering
• kan formidle sin farmasøytiske kunnskap med faglig trygghet, både skriftlig og muntlig, til alle aktuelle grupper, og kan dokumentere helsehjelpen
• behersker relevante teknikker for fremstilling av legemidler
• kan anvende systemer for kvalitetssikring og -kontroll
• kan nyttiggjøre seg forskningsbasert kunnskap, planlegge og gjennomføre et faglig prosjekt alene eller i samarbeid med andre i tråd med allment aksepterte faglige krav
• kan nyttiggjøre seg forskningsresultater i yrkesutøvelsen og reflektere kritisk over egen yrkesutøvelse

Generell kompetanse

Kandidaten

• har innsikt i og forståelse for hvordan legemidler virker og bidrar til å skape best mulig helse, både på individ- og samfunnsnivå
• kan reflektere over egen faglig utøvelse, bidra til utvikling av eget fag og profesjon og arbeide selvstendig i tråd med lover, forskrifter og yrkesetiske retningslinjer
• har innsikt i og kan identifisere, reflektere over og håndtere etiske problemstillinger i farmasøytisk yrkesutøvelse, viser respekt for brukere av farmasøytiske tjenester og gir veiledning som ivaretar brukernes integritet og rettigheter
• kan planlegge og gjennomføre farmasifaglige arbeidsoppgaver og prosjekter som strekker seg over tid, alene eller som deltaker i en gruppe
• kan innhente og sammenfatte relevant vitenskapelig dokumentasjon og skille mellom dokumenterte og udokumenterte påstander
• kjenner til nytenkning og innovasjonsprosesser og kan bidra til tjenesteinnovasjon, entreprenørskap og systematiske og kvalitetsforbedrende arbeidsprosesser
• har innsikt i og forståelse for hvordan legemiddelovervåking, kvalitetssystemer og kvalitets- og forbedringsarbeid bidrar til trygg legemiddelbruk og økt pasientsikkerhet

The programme is divided into 14 compulsory courses and incorporates both practical and theoretical teaching at the university and external practical training at pharmacies. Each year of the programme has a scope of 60 credits.

First year of the programme: The students are introduced to the pharmacy profession and the basic chemical and biological subject areas on which the field of pharmacy subjects is based. In addition, they will become familiar with the development and production of pharmaceuticals.

Second year of the programme: The students will learn what pharmaceuticals consist of, how they work and how they are used in key therapy areas.

Third year of the programme: The last year focus on application of knowledge and skills. The students will undergo practical training at pharmacies, where the focus is on handling prescriptions, customer service and communication. The students will also complete a Bachelor’s degree project in groups.

The courses that make up the study programme build on each other with gradual progress both in terms of theoretical and practical knowledge. All courses conclude with a final assessment.

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

Study progress

• In order to start the second year, the student may lack a maximum of one passed course from the first year*
• In order to start the third year, the student must have passed all courses from the first year and may lack a maximum of one passed course from the second year.

*Exception from the progress requirement:

• The partial exam 1 Drug Calculations in the course FARB1400 Pharmaceutics and Drug Calculations is exempt from the progress requirement. If the student only lacks a pass in the drug calculations exam in FARB1400, and the other two partial exams in this course have been passed, the student can begin the second year even if one additional course in the first year has not been passed.

Any further delay in the study progression will result in a delay in the study.

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.

The Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction is based on the regulations on ‘National guidelines for tverrfaglig videreutdanning i psykisk helse-, rus- og avhengighetsarbeid’ (the Ministry of Education and Research, 2022).

The programme is offered as a full-time study over one year and a part-time study over two years. Completion of the programme grants 60 study credits/ECTS.The education aims to qualify students for preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative work within municipal health, social, and welfare services, mental health care, and interdisciplinary specialised substance abuse treatment (TSB).The education is research-based, practice-based, and experience-based, and meets society's demands for equitable and knowledge-based services. This entails upholding human rights, participation and development opportunities in society, and promoting good mental and physical health for individuals with mental health, substance use, and/or addiction problems.Throughout the education, the aim is to promote attitudes that form the basis for equitable services for majority and minority cultures, as well as linguistically and culturally adapted services. Students should critically reflect on power relations and be empowered to actively work to avoid abuse of power.The education provides in-depth competence in communication and interaction with individuals with mental health, substance use, and/or addiction problems and emphasises how these issues are contextualised phenomena. Upon completion of the education, students should be able to facilitate relationships that promote help and support, as well as be important contributors, coordinators, and leaders for collaborative and interdisciplinary services.The education emphasises an approach to individuals, their families, and networks that considers their life situations, experiences, and resources, as well as their linguistic and cultural background. Students acquire important competence in understanding how individual mental health, substance use, and addiction problems are embedded in a societal context, and in collaborating with other partners.Upon completion of the education, students should be able to engage with research in the field and make independent professional assessments and decisions in collaboration with the individuals primarily concerned, their families, networks, and other stakeholders in health, social, and welfare services.Further studies and working lifeThe education qualifies for positions in mental health, substance abuse, and addiction work in a wide range of areas in society. Upon completion of the education, candidates should be able to contribute to service development, planning, and systematic quality improvement processes.The further education corresponds to the first 60 study credits of the Master's Programme in Health Sciences, specialising in mental health and addiction at OsloMet, and can be integrated into this master's programme.

A candidate who has completed the Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction has the following overall learning outcomes defined as knowledge, skills, and general competence(starred (*) outcomes also apply to the specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction in the Master's Programme in Health Sciences):

KnowledgeThe candidate has:

• in-depth knowledge of perspectives, concepts, and theories related to the description and understanding of mental health and addiction
• in-depth knowledge of communication, relationships, and interaction in prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and habilitation in mental health and addiction*
• advanced competence in mental health in different societal groups, as well as in factors that promote inclusion and participation*
• advanced knowledge of the interaction between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors with relevance to mental health and addiction*
• advanced knowledge of scientific theories and research methods related to mental health, mental disorders, and mental health and addiction
• in-depth knowledge of how the organisation of health services can hinder or promote mental health and addiction
• in-depth knowledge of ethics, human rights, and relevant legislation within mental health and addiction

SkillsThe candidate can:

• analyse and critically reflect on theories, methods, and interpretations related to mental health and addiction
• analyse and apply theoretical knowledge of communication, relationships, and collaboration in mental health and addiction
• possess advanced skills that include ethical reflection, awareness of one's own preconceptions, as well as users' and relatives' competence*
• facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in the practice of mental health and addiction

General Competence

The candidate can:

• analyse and reflect on ethical issues related to the profession, occupation, and research
• apply their knowledge and skills to coordinate services, lead interdisciplinary teams, and facilitate collaboration across groups, sectors, services, and agencies
• plan, implement, and evaluate measures for individuals, families, networks, and communities that promote knowledge and development related to mental health and addiction, substance abuse, and addiction work
• contribute to innovation and professional development, as well as carry out and evaluate professional development projects based on research-based, practice-based, and experience-based knowledge