Course syllabus

BLS, Degree Project in Medicine, Second Cycle, 45 credits

Course code: BL025A Credits: 45
Main field of study: Biomedical Laboratory Science Progression: A2E
    Last revised: 10/03/2020
Education cycle: Second cycle Approved by: Head of school
Established: 19/12/2019 Reading list approved: 10/03/2020
Valid from: Autumn semester 2020 Revision: 1

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

  • further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
  • develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
  • develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

Knowledge and understanding
After completing this course the student shall be able to

  • account for scientific and statistical concepts and methods used within the field of medicine
  • account for current research and development in a specific area of scientific medicine

Skill and ability
After completing this course the student will

  • show the ability to critically and systematically analyze, assess, integrate and use knowledge/information
  • show the ability to identify his or her need for further knowledge in the field and to take responsibility for his or her knowledge development
  • use the acquired skills to develop a deeper understanding of medicine, influencing his or her activity within the field
  • show a deepened ability, on a scientific basis, to discuss new evidence, phenomena and questions within the medical field

Judgemental ability and attitude
After completing this course the student will have the ability to

  • independently follow the current state of knowledge and development in the field
  • have an independent and critical attitude in relation to the field under study

Main content of the course

  • applied statistics
  • information management and in-depth theoretical knowledge of the experimental part of the degree project
  • data collection
  • the research process
  • account for the research findings
  • presentation and defense of the degree project

Teaching methods

Teaching is done in the form of seminars.
Teaching is carried out in accordance with the pedagogy of flexible learning. Teaching is mainly internet-based and project-orientated with written reports. There are also lectures, seminars and laboratory experiments.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Degree Project, 45 credits (Code: A001)
Implementation, reporting and oral defense of the thesis work and critical examination of other work.


For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Degree Project
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Specific entry requirements

Degree of Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Science. Additional requirements: English 6/English B or equivalent, Scientific Methods 15 Credits at Second Cycle or equivalent.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Transitional provisions

Should the course undergo changes to such an extent that it is not possible to examine the student in accordance with this course syllabus, opportunities for special examination sessions will be provided in accordance with the university's local guidelines. If this occurs, the university will inform the students involved.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Additional Reading

Bland Martin (latest edition)
An introduction to medical statistics
Oxford University Press

Day, Robert A & Gastel, Barbara (latest edition)
How to write and publish a scientific paper
Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

Vetenskapsrådet (latest edition)
Codex-regler och riktlinjer för forskning
Vetenskapsrådet: Stockholm, http://www.codex.vr.se

Additions and Comments on the Reading List

Some of the books are not used in their entirety.
Articles and scientific publications will also be used as literature for the course.
The latest edition of each book listed is always the edition to be used.