Teaching starts Spring

Language of instruction Norwegian / English

Prerequisites and co-requisites

VER205 Fieldwork, Nursing and Caring

VER001 Medicament Calculation

VER207 Topics within Medical and Nursing Sciences

VER208 Disability and Environmental Work

VER204 Treatment and Behavioural Modification

VER304 Fieldwork of Habilitation/Rehabilitation

Recommended previous knowledge

VER300 Service Design and Delivery

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student should:

• be able to use his/her knowledge in Scientific Theory and Research Methods in own project (Bachelor´s Thesis) and in reading and when using findings from research in own professional work
• be able to plan, carry through and complete his/her own written developmental project (the Bachelor's Thesis) and be able to present the results to users and the involved professionals
• be able to carry out academic critique and research ethical reflection, and to practise according to this
• be able to evaluate the relations between theory, empirical data and practice within the field of health and social work
• be able to describe the organisation of the practice work site (objectives, structure and principle of operation)
• be able to discuss points of views related to how employees in the practice work site analyse the problems they work with, and also the contents and the character of their practice
• be able to contribute to suggestions for change of efforts on the individual, the community or the national level
• be able to present knowledge of the services and ability to develop and secure the services in a quality assured manner
• be able to search for a relevant research article related to the course and document the results of the search
• be able to use and refer to a research article and other relevant literature in the clinical practice assignment

Course contents

1D 6.0 credits Scientific Theory and Research Methods

1B 2.0 credits Sociology and Social Anthropology

2A 1.0 credit Developmental and Social Psychology

2B 3.0 credits Education and Social Education

1A 4.0 credits Governmental and Municipal Knowledge, Health and Social Policy

4E 2.0 credits Communication, Cooperation and Conflict Resolution

4C 5.0 credits Welfare Work

4A 2.0 credits The Development of the Profession, Ideology, Ethics and Professional Role

4D 4.0 credits Groups, Organisations and Networks

4E 1.0 credit Cooperation and Conflict Resolution

30 credits in total

Scientific Theory includes the following central topics: the positivistic ideal of science, the hermeneutic perspective and the critical perspective. Central methods of research include the use of questionnaires, qualitative interviews, observation/fieldwork, quantitative oberservations and text analyses. The research process and the phenomenons reliability and validity are also included. In the Bachelor´s Thesis this kind of knowledge must be manifested in logical and relevant links between questions and use of theories, methods and presentations of findings, critics and conclusions.

Teaching methods

In part one which includes Scientific Theory and Methods, instruction will be given as lectures, written assignments with presentations, individual studies and supervised group work. In part two, in which the students will gather empirical data and write the bachelor´s thesis, field work, study groups, a seminar related to the bachelor's thesis, and supervision are included. Supervision will be given from both the course instructor and one staff member at the practice work site. Fieldwork, study groups, handing in self-selected reading list and supervision are reckoned as compulsory instruction.
Absence from supervision must be compensated with an alternative course requirement. The fieldwork is compulsory and 90 % attendance is required. In cases where this requirement can not be met, students may apply to undergo practical training at another date.

The Bachelor´s Thesis is a collaborative group assignment for two or more students. Problem definition and data collection should be closely related to the students´ practical experiences, and will to a certain degree be determined by the needs and interests of the organisation or unit where the students have their clinical placement. In some cases, student groups may be affiliated with research projects led by academic staff from the university.

The course is offered in English for international students and literature will be presented at Fronter. If requested, parts of the course (e.g. scientific methods and theory) can be organised as an examination. The assessment method will be a written assignment. Requests will be considered by the Head of Department..

Examination requirement

1: The student must have attended compulsory instruction as described in the Course brochure under section ´O´. Study groups excepted, all absence from such instruction must be compensated with an alternative course requirement (please refer to 'Teaching methods´).

2: The student must have handed in a self chosen reading list of 1,500 pages approved of by the teacher.

3: A minimum of 80 % attendance in group assignments is required. Each group selects a student to take register for each meeting. In special cases, if a student should not participate satisfactorily in group assignments, a decision of the candidate´s resignation from the examination can be made by the university in agreement with the Head of Department.

Deadlines for submission are set by the university.

Assessment methods and criteria

The examination includes two parts, and each of them will be graded:

Part one: The Bachelor´s Thesis is written in groups. In special cases a written application of exception to this rule will be considered. The Bachelor´s Thesis must be passed (assessed as an 'E' or better) before the candidate may be admitted to the oral examination. The written assignment can be adjusted with up to one grade after an individual oral examination. The written work counts 60 % of the final grade.

Part two: An oral examination in self-selected syllabus which counts 40 % of the final grade.

Please see the Course brochure regarding criteria for the examinations.

Type of course Theoretical/Practical

Level of course First cycle

Year of study

Third year of bachelor's programme

Name of lecturer/contact person Study Programme Coordinator: Janneke Quarles van Ufford (janneke.q.ufford@uia.no)

Mode of delivery Face-to-face