Pharmacy
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The Bachelor in Pharmacy is a professional degree which enables the candidate to apply for authorization as a pharmacist in some of the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden and Finland).
The basis of pharmacy practice involves knowledge about the structure, characteristics, effects, use and production of pharmaceuticals. The terms drug information, drug distribution and pharmaceutical production are important parts of the pharmacist’s professional knowledge. Medical, chemical, pharmaceutical and social scientific topics are integrated in the practice of pharmacy. Work including the dispensing of drugs and guidance in the use of drugs requires basic theoretic knowledge from these various fields of study. Practical application of this specialist knowledge contributes to appropriate problem solving in collaboration with patients, colleagues and other partners.
Most pharmacists get a job working in a pharmacy. Pharmacies are contributors to the health service in Norway. They are local professional environments with knowledge about pharmaceuticals and are there to promote rational drug use. The pharmacist's duties require contact and cooperation with patients, physicians, dentists, veterinarians, home-based services and hospitals/nursing homes, amongst others. Good communication skills are a necessary part of the total professional competence associated with being a pharmacist. These skills are applied when in contact with patients and other health care groups. The programme demands a good level of both written and oral Norwegian.
A bachelor candidate in pharmacy needs to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes involved in pharmaceutical subjects which qualify for government authorization as a pharmacist cf. The Health Personnel Act of 2nd July 1999, including the right to dispense drugs in Norwegian pharmacies.
Nord University wishes to educate responsible and reflected pharmacists suited to the various areas of the pharmaceutical industry and health system, while providing lifelong learning. Formation is central and should help students exercise their ability to raise awareness, critical assessment, responsible action and make reflected choices.
Pharmacy education has adopted and focuses on digital teaching methods that support traditional education.
The programme’s main educational language is Norwegian. International students involved in exchange programmes can now participate in certain courses during the fifth semester. The teaching of these courses will be provided in English if international students from our partner institutions are present. Students will be expected to participate using English, both orally and in some cases in writing.
Structure and composition
Topics from several subject areas are included in the programme. The programme can be divided into four key academic areas in order to facilitate the overview of contents: chemistry, pharmaceutical bioscience, biopharmacy/pharmaceutics and social pharmacy courses. The study has a holistic pharmacy-oriented focus and the areas of study overlap. During the final year of study, students can choose between taking a Bachelor (15 credits) or taking the course Drug information and evidence-based practices (15 credits).
The knowledge gained from chemistry courses is important regarding a basic understanding of most parts of the pharmacy field. Knowledge of chemistry is especially important both for the development of new active substances, understanding the characteristics of various pharmaceutical forms and for predicting different pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters. Moreover, chemistry is important for the understanding of how the body's different building blocks are put together and work. Chemical principles are also used as a basis for determining the quality of pharmaceutical ingredients and for analysing "foreign" substances in the body e.g. narcotics, doping agents and pharmaceuticals.
Knowledge gained from pharmaceutical bioscience is needed to understand the body's normal composition and functions, as well as abnormal conditions and processes. The basic courses form a foundation for the courses of pharmacology. These courses deals with how drugs effect the organism, the clinical use of drugs, variation in the effects of drugs and drug interactions. Knowledge in microbiology provides the basis for understanding the manufacturing of sterile preparations, as well as the use and misuse of antibacterial drugs.
Knowledge of biopharmacy/pharmaceutics provides understanding and knowledge of the composition and manufacture of pharmaceutical forms as well as their characteristics, quality and use. The subject area also provides knowledge about the significance of pharmaceutical forms regarding the clinical effect and durability of drugs. Knowledge regarding the use of quality assurance systems is also a necessary part of the pharmacist’s practice.
Knowledge of Social Pharmacy topics provides an understanding of the pharmacist’s responsibility regarding the handling and dispensing of drugs, as well as the handling of prescriptions and information and guidance on the correct use of drugs, particularly in pharmacies and primary health services. The role of health professionals requires that pharmacists can apply their knowledge of drugs and communicate with colleagues, customers/patients and other health professionals about this. Understanding of people's individual perception and knowledge of health, disease, drugs and to individually adapt information and guidance is important for professional practice. Furthermore, the topics will contribute to the development of the basic values which health professionals think and act on. Amongst other things, it entails being able to see your own professional subject in a larger context. This requires knowledge about the society in which we live, public health, the health service and the statutory and ethical framework the professional practice works within. The courses include training on basing information and decisions on documentation/evidence. Here, critical assessment of both scientific literature and other sources is important. The courses will also promote lifelong learning.
Practice placement
Organization of external practice placement studies
The programme involves compulsory practice placement. Practice placement studies account for 20 credits, are included in the course of Pharmacy Practice (27.5 credits) and are carried out in the 6th semester. In the practice placement period, the student will be given opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge, incorporate skills and develop ethical work attitudes. In the practice placement period, the student will receive an introduction and training in pharmacy’s occupational duties. The student will gradually be given the opportunity to partake in these duties and the responsibilities that the role requires. This also means that the student develops a foundation for pharmaceutical evaluation by planning, performing and critically evaluating their own work.
The practice placement is chosen through a national practice placement pool. Students are assigned a random number and can choose a placement pharmacy accordingly. Many students choose practice placement in their hometown. In some places there may be a lack of practice placements and students may have to carry out their placement somewhere other than their hometown. There are relatively few practice placements in Namsos. The student will be assigned a practice placement supervisor in the pharmacy and a contact person at Nord University.
For supplementary information refer to the practice booklet for practice placement in the pharmacy programme and to the Handbook for study in pharmacies.
In the event of a student possibly failing their practice placement, the student must receive a written warning at least 3 weeks before the end of their placement. Passing the practice placement involves the student having no greater absence than 10% and that the student has fulfilled the criteria set out in the practice placement programme for the placement period.
In addition to practice placement during the 6th semester, a pharmacy visit is held during the programme’s first semester.
Types of work, learning and assessment
The programme includes both practical and theoretical teaching at the university and external practice placement at a pharmacy. External practice studies take place at pharmacies around the country and follow national guidelines.
Different working methods will promote students' personal development so that independence, sense of responsibility and ability to cooperate are increased. Emphasis is placed on utilizing varied working methods that alternate between theoretical and practical knowledge processing. The working methods will contribute to develop the students’ critical and considered relationship with the knowledge they meet during the programme, and form the basis for lifelong learning.
The working methods and learning activities used are self-determined studies and self-determined activity, group work, problem-based work, problem-based learning, lectures (in classrooms and/or online), online lessons, study groups, task-seminars, laboratory courses, laboratory reports, written exercises, skills training, writing and oral presentation, project work, journal writing, role-playing, discussions, reflection, student-led teaching, fellow student response, as well as other seminars and practice placement studies. Digital technology and pedagogy are central in several of these working methods. Self-determined study and self-determined activity is part of all courses. In addition, the working methods and learning activities involved are stated in each of the course descriptions.
Digital teaching methods that enable online participation are used for parts of various courses. Subject teachers consider the relevance of the use of such tools in each course. Students are informed if such tools will be used and to what extent at the start of each course. It is also possible to conduct guidance, group work, task seminars and study groups online.
Students should be able to influence and feel responsible for the programme’s pedagogical development. This requires active participation throughout the course of study, with evaluation of both the programme’s academic content and pedagogical platform.
The programme’s progression requirements
There are requirements regarding the progression of study in this programme:
- all first semester courses must be passed to progress to second year tuition and exams.
- all courses, including those in the third semester, must be passed to progress to third year tuition and exams.
- there are also specific additional requirements regarding the courses Pharmaceutical analysis, Pharmacy practice, Bachelor thesis and Drug information and evidence-based practices. These requirements are detailed in the course descriptions.
Access to laboratories
In order to gain access to laboratory tuition, a safety course must be conducted during the first year of study. The safety course consists of a practical part in the laboratory and a theoretical test that must be passed to gain laboratory access. The safety course is organized at the beginning of the first semester. The safety course is compulsory for all students and must be conducted within the deadlines set by the programme.
Changes in the curriculum may occur. Course descriptions are revised yearly.
After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy, the candidate is expected to have the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge: The candidate
- has in-depth knowledge of the physical, chemical and pharmacological properties of central active substances (including plant-based)
- has broad knowledge about the body's structure, function and development of disease
- has broad knowledge of the composition and manufacture of central types of pharmaceutical forms, as well as their physical, chemical and biopharmaceutical properties
- has broad knowledge about effects, use and role of drugs in the prevention and treatment of diseases from an individual and social perspective
- has basic knowledge of the quality requirements, assurance and control of pharmaceuticals, drug-related products and services
- has knowledge about key analytical methods regarding pharmaceuticals
- has knowledge of fundamental mathematical, statistical and epidemiological methods
- has knowledge of veterinary pharmacology
- has knowledge about the history, tradition, distinctiveness and role in society of pharmacy
- has knowledge about the clinical trials of drugs with related collection and documentation requirements
Skills: The candidate
- can dispense prescriptions, assess prescriptions, identify and handle drug-related problems, provide drug information and facilitate user involvement in a way that ensures rational drug use
- can gather drug information and propose solutions to theoretical and practical pharmacy-oriented challenges based on critical assessment and logical argumentation
- has basic skills in the field of aseptic technique
- can use systems for the quality assurance of pharmaceuticals, drug-related products and services and work in accordance with manufacturing and distribution rules
- can use and monitor internal control systems
- can work independently in accordance with laws, regulations and ethical guidelines in professional practice
- can utilize research-based knowledge, plan and execute a professional project alone or in collaboration with others in accordance with generally accepted professional requirements
- can utilize research results in professional practice and reflect critically on their own professional practice
General competence: The candidate
- can actively contribute to the development of pharmacy and pharmacist’s role in society
- can reflect on ethical issues, show respect for users of pharmaceutical services and provide guidance to safeguard user integrity and rights
- can interact and communicate with partners and users of pharmaceutical services
- can contribute to and engage in interdisciplinary cooperation for the benefit of the patient/customer
- can reflect on the importance of scientific evidence and distinguish between documented and undocumented assertions
- be aware of innovation in relevant fields and handle simple tools used in innovation and entrepreneurship
- has insight into local and global health and environmental challenges
- has insight into drug-related issues in multicultural societies
The learning outcomes in this part of the curriculum are joint learning outcomes for all Bachelor studies in pharmacy in Norway. Joint learning outcomes are part of a 3 + 2 process to facilitate the students in taking a two-year master’s degree after a three-year bachelor’s degree in pharmacy. Joint learning outcomes at Bachelor level have been introduced at Nord University, OsloMet and at the University of Tromsø, the Arctic University of Norway. Joint learning outcomes will ensure that the students, regardless of their place of study, have the basic knowledge they need in order to work as pharmacists. These learning outcomes will also enable them to take the two-year master’s degree in pharmacy at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology or the University of Tromsø.
Opptak på bakgrunn av realkompetanse kan skje etter gjeldende norske regler. Realkompetansesøkere på farmasi må ha matematikk (R1 eller (S1 +S2)) pluss KJE1 og enten fysikk eller biologi på andreklassenivå fra videregående eller KJE2 (FYS1 eller BIO1 eller KJE2).
Det vises til Forskrift om opptak til høyere utdanning § 3-1.Realkompetanse.
A Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy allows you to receive the title of Pharmacist in Norway, Sweden and Finland. Pharmacists are healthcare professionals and should contribute to proper drug use. Please mark that there is a difference between this pharmacist-title, only available in these three countries, and the authorization as a pharmacist according to EU-regulations.
Pharmacists can work in pharmacies, hospitals, research or quality control laboratories, in the pharmaceutical industry, in wholesalers or within education and research. There is a large demand for pharmacists, especially in pharmacies. Pharmacists receive good salaries.
A Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, after the introduction of 3 + 2, will provide the basis for a Master’s degree in Pharmacy at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and the University of Tromsø. Upon successfully completing a master’s degree, one can apply for authorization as a pharmacist. The requirements for a pharmacist are described in the EU Directive 2013/55/EU.
The programme also qualifies students to enrol in several other master’s studies that require a three-year bachelor's degree within health studies, such as the Master’s in Practical Knowledge at Nord University. Please contact the programme supervisor for detailed questions about this. The website www.farmasifag.no provides an insight into what it is like to be a pharmacy student, possible job opportunities and which institutions offer pharmacy education in Norway.
There is an exchange agreement with the School of Pharmacy at the University of Eastern Finland, campus Kuopio. There will be the possibility of student exchange during the programme’s fifth semester. Several exchange agreements may be facilitated.
International students can attend selected courses during the fifth semester. The teaching of these courses will take place in English if international students are present. Teacher exchange and R & D collaboration require separate agreements.
Students are expected to pay for some expenses regarding pharmacy visits during the first semester and practice placement during the sixth semester.
Lab coats should be used in the laboratories and students need to provide these themselves.
The students must have a calculator that is course-approved, and they need to provide this themselves. There can be extra costs for students who wish to participate on exchanges.
It is assumed that students have their own laptop computers. For digital communication during the programme, webcams and headphones are regarded as standard equipment. Students must cover these costs. See the current requirements on Nord University's Web site.
Nord University has several assessment methods that can be used in the various courses. Both examinations and other types of assessment are included in these assessment methods. Working methods, learning methods and assessment methods (including examinations) are found in the course descriptions. Note that certain written school exams at Nord University are conducted digitally.
The most common assessment methods (besides exams) used in the programme are compulsory participation and coursework. Compulsory participation is primarily used when the knowledge, skill or general competence cannot be acquired alone. Compulsory participation is stated in the course description and in the teaching plan/timetable. In general, compulsory participation applies to all external practice placement studies, all internal laboratory courses, other skills training and other studies in which skills cannot be acquired alone. In the case of external practice placement studies, 90% attendance is required. Compulsory participation requires 80% attendance. It is usually a requirement to have completed the compulsory participation in order to take the course examination.
Different types of coursework are included as an assessment method in several subjects. For example, coursework can include written tasks or tests of varying scopes. Overview and further clarification of how much coursework is involved, together with submission deadlines, is included in a plan that will be available at the start of each course. Coursework must be submitted within the given time limit and must be approved to gain access to the course exam, or to receive the course grade.
Compulsory work is used when the student must complete a task which allows them to take the examination in a course. Examples are report writing or conducting practical exercises. Academic assessment of the task is required regarding compulsory work. The student can receive guidance along the way, demand grounds for the assessment and appeal the assessment of failed work.
Exams and assessments for courses in this study program is described in Studentweb.
Both external and internal assessment of the study will be carried out. External assessment is carried out by external examiners who acts as task consultants. The internal assessment is carried out by students and teachers. The assessment includes mid-term evaluation and/or final evaluation of the courses. A course assessment report is sent to the programme coordinator in which all course evaluation information is compiled into an annual programme report. Programme assessments play a central role in the programme’s development, especially regarding its quality.
A programme committee has been established including representatives from the students, the scientific staff and external representatives. The programme coordinator heads this committee. The head of department participates together with an administrative representative who acts as secretary. The programme committee provides advice on matters pertaining to the programme’s social relevance, demand, quality, academic and pedagogical profile, content, structure and implementation.
Pharmacy education has requirements regarding professional suitability. Ongoing assessment of suitability is conducted throughout the programme and is part of a comprehensive assessment of the student's academic and personal requirements associated with healthcare personnel and social workers, cf. Regulations on suitability assessment in higher education.
A special suitability assessment is to be made if there is reasonable doubt about a student’s suitability.