Health Informatics, Continuing Education, Part-time

Study programme code HELSOSIT

ECTS credits 60

Admission requirements The programme is based on a 3-year university college education in health care and social work and a minimum of 2 years of relevant post-Bachelor's degree work experience. Applicants with a minimum of other 3-year university college or university educations may, upon special consideration, be accepted as students. Potential applicants are for example nurses, x-ray technicians, doctors, disability nurses, child welfare workers, bio-engineers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers and dentists.

Recommended previous knowledge Applicants are advised to have some experience in elementary office PC-tools (word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail) and have some knowledge of one or more data systems within the health and social sector.

General description and profile of the programme The programme will give a fundamental theoretical, analytical, methodical and practical understanding of health informatics. The programme contains six courses over two years.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (formal, non-formal and informal) Arrangements for the recognition of prior learning are described in the information on the institution under "General arrangements for the recognition of prior learning (formal, informal and non-formal)".

Examination regulations and grading For a description of the examination regulations, see the Examination Regulations of the University of Agder.

For information about the Norwegian grading system, see ECTS credits and grades. Specific information on grading for each course is found in the individual course descriptions.

Graduation requirements The Examination Regulations of the University of Agder regulate the graduation requirements for each programme of study.

Learning outcomes Students will achieve an understanding of the interaction between IT-systems and organisation, in particular establishments within the health and social sector. After having completed the programme, the students will: be able to process and analyse information in the health and social sector based on theories and methods related to organisation and communication as well as evaluation of technology. be able to critically consider possibilities and restrictions in the use of information technology in the health and social sector be able to actively participate in the planning, developing and implementing of the information systems and also clarify the procedures related to usage of these systems have a basic insight into various scientific methods of research, and also knowledge of relevance and usage of the different methods in specific cases have developed an ethical and reflected attitude to the use of IT in the health and social sector

Teaching methods Two group seminars for students each semester. The programme offers different types of teaching and learning strategies in order to be adaptable to various needs of the students. One course each year will be organised as a project. Language of instruction: Norwegian

Assessment methods Please refer to the course descriptions. Evaluation forms are varied and closely linked to the work methods in each course. Except from the two projects HSI409 and HSI412 all the courses have written individual at-home examinations or net-based examinations. Except from HSI411 all course examinations will be graded. HSI411 will be assessed as pass or fail. The projects will be assessed differently. HSI408 will be assessed based on a group assignment, while HSI412 will be assessed based on an individual oral presentation of the project.

Student exchange Currently no explicit student exchange agreements have been made concerning this programme. However, the university has general exchange agreements, which may be a possibility for students in the Health Informatics Programme. They will also have the possibility of taking parts of the programme at Aalborg University (Denmark). The University of Agder offers student exchange through well established mobility programmes such as Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci and Nordplus. The three involved faculties in this study programme have agreements of cooperation on various levels, including student exchange.

Requirements for continuing in the study programme HSI409 must have been passed to be admitted to HSI412.

Occupational profiles of graduates and access to further studies Graduate students may be admitted to master studies at Aalborg University. A completed study programme may give possibilities of employment in positions where computer technology plays a central part in the improvement of health and social services, an increase in the competence of practical applications of IT, and the development of knowledge within various areas of usage. Other relevant work might be report preparation, teaching, management and professional development.