Master s Programme in Telemedicine and E-health

Transcription

1 Master s Programme in Telemedicine and E-health 2014 Health and Technology Fields of Study The Faculty of Health Sciences Department of Clinical Medicine Programme Description

2 Table of contents 1. Introduction Objective Student profile Criteria for admission Professional and occupational prospects Language of Instruction and Examinations 5 2. Learning Outcomes Overall The Health field of study The Technology field of study 5 3. The Programme Structure The Health field of study: List of courses First year ( Health ) Second year ( Health ) The Technology field of study: List of courses First year ( Technology : Mandatory courses).8 First year ( Technology : Elective courses) Second year ( Technology ) Period of study abroad Contents Health field of study First year ( Health ) Second year ( Health ) Technology field of study First year ( Technology ) Second year ( Technology ) Teaching Methods Forms of Evaluation Course description for the Health field of study.15 TLM-3010 Telemedicine applications.15 TLM-3040 Electronic Patient Records theories, concepts and practice.17 TLM-3060 Patients and the public as users of Net health services.19 TLM-3070 Quantitative Research Methods and Epidemiology..21 TLM-3080 Qualitative Research Methods in Informatics 23 TLM-3902 Master s thesis in Telemedicine and E-health (Health) 25 HEL-3030 International and Environmental Health Course description for the Technology field of study...31 INF-3200 Distributed systems fundamentals.31 INF-3792 Medical informatics..33 INF-3791 Telemedicine and e-health systems..35 INF-3795 Advanced telemedicine and e-health systems 38 INF-3201 Concurrent and parallel programming (Elective).41 INF-3203 Advanced distributed systems (Elective) 43 INF-3206 Advanced Cloud Computing Technologies (Elective). 46 INF-3320 Middleware (Elective).. 48

3 Table of contents (2) 8. Course description for the Technology field of study (cont.) INF-3701 Advanced database systems (Elective) 51 INF-3993 Individual Special Curriculum Computer Science (Elective).53 FYS-3012 Pattern recognition (Elective) 54 FYS-3024 Biomedicial instrumentation and imaging (Elective) 56 STA-3001 Computer-intensive statistics (Elective)...58 INF-3997 Master s thesis in Telemedicine and E-health (Technology) 60

4 1. Introduction The Master's programme in Telemedicine and E-health comprises of two fields of study. The Faculty of Health Sciences is responsible for the Health field of study whereas the Faculty of Science and Technology has the academic responsibility for the Technology field of study. The study programme is governed and developed by an inter-faculty programme board. The Faculty of Health Sciences also has the administrative responsibility for the Master's programme. 1.1 Objective The study programme's primary objective is to provide health staff and technologists with further education in telemedicine and e-health, a discipline that, strictly speaking, concerns medical practice over distance using modern communications technology. But the master's programme will be based on a somewhat broader definition, covering ICT processes and systems that support various health services, including those that patients can use directly. The Health field of study focuses on methodological and technological prerequisites and the associated social and organizational processes whereas the Technology field of study focuses on various aspects in the construction of telemedicine and e-health systems. 1.2 Student profile The Health field of study is intended for students with a bachelor's degree or the equivalent in medical/health sciences, for instance, medical doctors who have completed their education or graduates with other health-related degrees such as physiotherapy, nursing, pharmacy and radiography. For the Technology field of study, graduates with bachelor's degrees in computer sciences or the equivalent are the potential candidates. Both Norwegian and international graduates in health-related disciplines and computer sciences are important target groups for the two fields of study. 1.3 Criteria for admission Bachelor Degree or equivalent in: Health-related professional studies (for Health Discipline)(e.g. medicine, nursing and physiotherapy); Computer Sciences (for Technology Discipline). (Specific requirement for "Technology": Students must be proficient in core computer science topics and good programming skills.) Proficiency in English: Students are expected to fulfil the English entrance requirements for master applicants stated by the University. 1.4 Professional and occupational prospects The public health service is a large and complex cooperative enterprise where the need for collaboration, coordination and communication has received increased attention. It is therefore likely that, graduates who understand both the public health service and how the technology can be exploited strategically to create new ways of working together will be sought-after in an expanding job market that promotes technology in integrated healthcare. The advantage of having

5 knowledge about the public health service also applies to graduates who will be responsible for the design and development of telemedicine and e-health systems. The master's programme will qualify its graduates to: Promote and introduce telemedicine and e-health systems and services. Participate in the development of telemedicine and e-health systems and services. Apply telemedicine and e-health services in professional health work. Qualify graduates for researcher education and Ph.D. studies. 1.5 Language of Instruction and Examinations All the courses, assignments and examinations are in English. 2. Learning Outcomes 2.1 Overall The candidates should be able to: Describe the main types of telemedical applications in current use in the Norwegian health system as well as identify the primary actors. Understand how technology and e-health services can be exploited strategically to create new ways of working together Contribute in the design, implementation and use of telemedicine and e-health systems. Promote and introduce telemedicine and e-health services and programmes. Identify the conditions for successful implementing telemedicine and e-health systems and services. Apply telemedicine and e-health services in professional health work. The master's programme will also qualify graduates for researcher education in telemedicine and e-health. 2.2 The Health field of study The candidates should be able to: Share first-hand experience regarding some telemedical applications. Identify potential gains, challenges and barriers related to the implementation of telemedicine and e-health in clinical practice through scientific-founded empirical work. Critically appraise scientific work on telemedicine and e-health. Design, carry through and write up a study relating to a topic within the field of telemedicine and e-health. 2.3 The Technology field of study The candidates should be able to: Contribute in the design, development and implementation of telemedicine and e-health systems and applications. Contribute in adaptation and maintenance of telemedicine and e-health systems and applications.

6 Solve advanced problems in telemedicine and e-health experimentally through applying and engineering approach to problem solving. Evaluate the robustness of telemedicine and e-health services and projects. 3. The Programme Structure 3.1 The Health field of study List of courses in semester for Health field of study: 1 A TLM-3010 Telemedicine Applications - 10 credits TLM-3040 Electronic Patient Records theories, concepts and practice -10 credits INF-3792 Medical Informatics - 10 credits 1 S HEL-3030 International and Environmental Health 10 credits TLM-3060 Patients and the public - 10 credits TLM-3070 Quantitative methodology - 5 credits TLM-3080 Qualitative methodology - 5 credits 2 A TLM-3902 Master's Thesis in Telemedicine and E-health - 60 credits 2 S

7 3.1.1 First year ( Health ): Course Course title Credits Semester Mandatory Institute INF-3792 Medical informatics 10 1 A Mandatory IFI TLM-3010 TLM-3040 HEL-3030 TLM-3060 TLM-3070 TLM-3080 Telemedicine applications Electronic Patient Records theories, concepts and practice International and Environmental Health Patients and the public use of health services on network Quantitative methodology Qualitative methodology 10 1 A Mandatory IKM 10 1 A Mandatory IKM 10 1 S Mandatory ISM 10 1 S Mandatory IKM 5 1 S Mandatory IKM 5 1 S Mandatory IKM Second year ( Health ): Course Course Title Credits Semester Mandatory Institute TLM-3902 Master s Thesis in Telemedicine and E- health 60 2 A/2 S Mandatory IKM

8 3.2 The Technology field of study List of courses in semester for Technology field of study: 1 A INF-3791 Telemedicine and e-health systems 10 credits 1 S Elective subject 10 credits INF-3792 Medical Informatics - 10 credits HEL-3030 International and Environmental Health -10 credits INF-3200 Distributed systems fundamentals 10 credits INF-3795 Advanced telemedicine and e-health systems 10 credits 2 A INF-3997 Master's Thesis in Telemedicine and E-health - 60 credits 2 S First year ( Technology ): Mandatory courses: Course Course title Credits Semester Mandatory Institute INF 3200 Distributed systems 10 1 A Mandatory IFI INF Medical Informatics 10 1 A Mandatory IFI INF Telemedicine systems 10 1 A Mandatory IFI HEL 3030 INF International and Environmental Health Advanced telemedicine systems 10 1 S Mandatory ISM 10 1 S Mandatory IFI

9 Elective courses: Elective courses (offered by the Department of Computer Sciences): Course Course title Credits Elective Institute INF Concurrent and 10 IFI Elective Parallel programming INF Advanced distributed 10 IFI Elective systems Advanced Cloud INF 3206 Computing 10 Elective IFI Technologies INF 3320 Middleware 10 Elective IFI INF 3701 INF 3993 Advanced database systems Individual Special Curriculum Computer Science 10 Elective IFI 10 Elective IFI Other elective courses (offered by other departments in the Faculty of Science and Technology): These elective courses require a solid scientific background in physics, mathematics and statistics. Course Course title Credits Elective Institute FYS 3012 Pattern recognition 10 Elective IFT FYS 3024 Biomedical 10 IFT instrumentation and imaging Elective STA Computer-intensive statistics 10 Elective subject IMS Second year ( Technology ): Course Course Title Credits Semester Mandatory Institute INF-3997 Master s Thesis in Telemedicine and E- health 60 2 A/2 S Mandatory IFI

10 3.3 Period of study abroad Study abroad can be undertaken during the period in which the master's thesis is written. Students may apply to take courses at other departments or institutions in Norway through a period of study abroad. 1 Such teaching must fit in with the curriculum for the master programme, and it must be approved in advance. Whenever appropriate and necessary, the faculties will set up agreements with other universities or learning institutions so that students can travel abroad to work on their theses. 4. Contents According to the regulations for the award of master's degrees, a master's programme will require two years of full-time study based on a fixed programme. Freedom of choice in relation to courses in the study programme varies. 4.1 Health field of study First year ( Health ): First semester autumn (coursework: 30 ECTs): The Health field of study's first semester provides an overview of concepts and models in telemedicine and e-health (TLM-3010; 10 ECTs) as well as a review of the key telemedicine applications, including methodology, technology, dispersion and experience from these applications. Education, research and networks with colleagues at a distance are also topics in the course. Another course INF-3792 Medical Informatics (10 ECTs) is developed and offered by the Faculty of Science and Technology to the students in both fields of study. This course focuses on the technological prerequisites that apply to the development and introduction of telemedicine and e-health services. A third course deals with theories, concepts and practice of Electronic Patient Records (TLM-3040; 10 ECTs). The focus is on organizational and social aspects. This course also discusses how e-health services and EPR can contribute as an instrument for creating a qualitatively improved and more effective public health service. These three courses provide the fundamentals for students to plan their projects for their master s theses. Second semester spring (coursework: 30 ECTs): The second semester includes the course, International health and environmental medicine (HEL- 3030; 10 ECTs), that explores the inter-relationships between health, poverty, environment and development and demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary co-operation. The aim is to enable the students to achieve a better understanding of their role in the global health setting. Another course focuses on patients' use of Net-based health services (TLM-3060; 10 ECTs) and how new communication methods create opportunities enabling patients to take responsibility for their own health to a greater extent. And finally, two smaller courses introduce different methodological approaches. One course focuses on quantitative methodology and epidemiology (TLM-3070; 5 ECTs), and the other on qualitative methods on information systems (TLM-3080; 5 ECTs). These two courses enable the students to familiarize themselves with the research methodologies that they intend to use for their master s theses. 1 For more information about Study Abroad and Student Exchange ( in Norwegian):

11 The aim of including the course INF-3792 Medical Informatics offered by the Department of Computer Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology and the course HEL-3030 conducted by the Department of Community Science, Faculty of Health Sciences is to encourage interdisciplinary activity and inter-faculty cooperation. The students are able to mix with master students from other study programs and are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary academic exchange Second year ( Health ): Third and fourth semesters the Master s Thesis (TLM-3902; 60 ECTs) The second year is dedicated to the mandatory independent thesis that carries 60 credits. The student has to specialize in a topic which is relevant to their previous courses. Through the thesis, the student must show that he/she masters the relevant methodologies that have been presented in the study programme, and has the ability to understand, reflect and apply. Normally the student should have finished all the courses (a total of 60 ECTs) and have passed all the course exams before they start to work on the thesis. In case of exceptions, the students need to submit applications to the Department and they will be evaluated individually. Students are advised to choose their projects when the theoretical curriculum has almost been completed and at the latest one month before the end of the second semester, i.e. during the month of May. The thesis must be approved by the responsible Department based on an application in the form of a Contract of Supervision with a project description attached. The teaching staff may recommend research projects to their students. On the other hand, students may also design their own projects according to their professional interest, experience and background. Research projects will be evaluated and approved in advance by the Faculty responsible for the field of study. The criteria of project evaluation include the scope and feasibility of the project. Access to necessary experimental equipment, software, data material and finances should be documented on the Contract of Supervision. Supervision The students are encouraged to find a principal supervisor among the teaching staff. As abovementioned, the student and supervisor are to enter into a Contract of Supervision after the proposal for the project description has been approved. In addition to the Contract of Supervision, the supervisory relationship is regulated by the Supplementary Regulations for the Master s Programme in Telemedicine and E-health, 2 and also the Regulations for academic studies for the University of Tromsø. 3 The supervision must inter alia include mandatory supervision. 4.2 The Technology field of study The discipline offers a technological study programme that enables graduates to contribute in the development of systems and applications for medical informatics, telemedicine and e-health 2 See Supplementary Regulations for the Master s Programme in Telemedicine and E-health: 3 See Regulations for academic studies for the University of Tromsø:

12 applications. The problem formulations for the experimental activity are derived from medical technology. Courses in medical informatics, telemedicine, e-health, and computer sciences play a key role in the study programme First year ( Technology ): First semester autumn (coursework: 30 ECTs) In addition to the course, Medical Informatics (INF-3792; 10 ECTs), the students are required to take the course Telemedicine and E-health systems (TLM-3791; 10 ECTs). The aim of these two courses is to enable the students to understand the theories and also to contribute in the design, adaptation and maintenance of telemedicine and e-health systems. The third course, Distributed systems (INF-3200; 10 ECTs), is an ordinary computer science course that provides the students specialized knowledge and experimentation in complex systems. Fundamental mechanisms and structuring principles for distributed systems are covered. Focus is in issues like, for instance, consistency, naming, interaction, fault-tolerance, security, resource control, distributed file systems, and distributed document-based systems (WWW). Second semester spring (coursework: 30 ECTs) The second semester enables the students to further their understanding and application of both general and specialized knowledge of theoretical and experimentation aspects in the design of complex systems in the health sector. The course Advanced telemedicine and E-health systems (INF-3795; 10 ECTs) addresses problems related to design, construction, implementation, evaluation and integration of advanced telemedicine and e-health systems, including systems for tele-mentoring, telemedicine, clinical decision support, and advanced systems using mobile technologies. The course - International health and environmental medicine (HEL-3030; 10 ECTs) - explores the inter-relationships between health, poverty, environment and development and demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary co-operation. The aim is to enable the students to achieve a better understanding of their role in the global health setting. The third course is an Elective (10 ECTs) that allows the students to choose among specialized courses from the departments of Computer Sciences, Physics and Statistics Second year ( Technology ): Third and fourth semesters the Master s Thesis (INF-3997; 60 ECTs) The second year is dedicated to the mandatory independent thesis that carries 60 credits. The professional content will depend on the research profile in Telemedicine and e-health at the Department of Computer Science as well as the student's interests. The point of departure for the course is the research activities in the telemedicine/e-health environment locally as well as internationally. The Master s Thesis may be completed at the Department, in industry or at a research institute in Norway or abroad. The thesis must be approved by the responsible Department based on an application in the form of a Contract of Supervision with a project description attached. Normally, the students choose their projects when the theoretical curriculum has almost been completed and at the latest one month before the end of the second semester, i.e. during the month of May. The students are See the List of Elective Courses in Section 3.2.1, p.9.

13 encouraged to find a principal supervisor among the teaching staff. A secondary supervisor may also be appointed according to the specializations of the research project. 5. Teaching methods The study programme offers a variation of teaching methods and diverse pedagogic strategies. Theories and academic topics are explored in lectures whereas students are required to actively participate in group work and seminars. Students practise teamwork by finding solutions to tasks, discussing problem formulations in the course materials and delivering their findings in seminars. Teaching consists of a combination of regular lectures and compact lectures where the students need to attend physically on campus and also net-based assignments where the students can access and submit via Fronter. The students are required to participate and contribute in practical exercises, group presentations, demonstrations and laboratory assignments. 5 In addition to lectures and seminars, visits and excursions are arranged so that students have opportunities to observe how telemedicine and e-health systems work in real life situations. 6. Forms of evaluation Various forms of evaluation will be used. Some courses are concluded with a final written and/or oral examination. Other courses require a take-home examination in which students need to write an assignment or solve tasks at home during the given time period. These tasks include reviewing articles and essay writing. Most of the written assignments require submission electronically in Fronter. Students' work is mostly assessed on a scale with grades from A to E as Pass, or as F for Fail. The following is an example of grading for a Take-Home Examination in Telemedicine and E-health courses: A: Exceptionally good paper. The candidate demonstrates an exceptionally good understanding of the subject matter and a strong ability to work independently. B: A very good paper. The candidate demonstrates a very good understanding of the subject matter and an ability to work independently. C: A good paper that is adequate in most aspects. The candidate demonstrates a good understanding of the subject matter and a degree of ability to work independently in most aspects. D: An acceptable paper, but with certain important deficiencies. The candidate demonstrates some understanding of the subject matter and a certain degree of ability to work independently. E: A paper that is within the minimum requirements, but not more. The candidate demonstrates little understanding of the subject matter and a low degree of ability to work independently. F: A paper that fails the minimum criteria. The candidate demonstrates a lack of understanding of the subject matter and little ability to work independently. For some courses, all the assignments must be passed before the student is awarded a passing grade for the respective course. A grade for the course is awarded on the basis of the assignments submitted, where a weighting based on judgement is given to the scope and level of difficulty of the assignment. 5 Details concerning teaching methods for each course are provided in the respective course description.

14 Unless otherwise specified, the examinations for the Master s Programme are regulated by the regulations for examinations at the University of Tromsø. 6 6 See Regulations for examinations at the University of Tromsø:

15 7. Course description for the Health field of study 7 TLM-3010 (Mandatory) Telemedicine applications 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical and practical. This course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirements to the Master Programme are satisfied. 3 Admission requirements Bachelor Degree in Health related disciplines. 4 Course contents The course is a central part of the Master s programme, and introduces the students to telemedicine. The course will cover the following topics: Definitions of telemedicine and telemedical applications An overview of types of telemedicine An overview of telemedical applications in routine use in the Norwegian health system and in Helse Nord Telemedicine applications in psychiatry, including videoconferencing Promoters of telemedicine Characteristics of successfully implemented telemedical applications Finding information about telemedicine, online and offline resources Use of central research databases 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Following the course, the students should be able to: Define telemedicine and telemedical applications Give an overview of types of telemedicine Describe the main types of telemedical applications in current use in the Norwegian health system Share first-hand experience regarding some telemedical applications Discuss telemedical applications in psychiatry 7 Updated course descriptions can be found in the Course Catalogue ( Emnekatalog ) of UiT.

16 Identify potential gains and challenges related to the implementation of telemedicine and e-health Discuss the conditions for successfully implementing telemedicine and e-health services Find information about telemedicine and use central research databases 6 Teaching and Coursework The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work, and practical exercises and demonstrations of telemedical applications. In addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Fronter. 7 Exam 2 weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 8 Continuation Exam Not available. 9 Coursework requirements The students are required to hand in two homework assignments. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

17 TLM-3040 (Mandatory) Electronic Patient Records - theories, concepts and practice 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical and practical. This course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirements to the Master Programme are satisfied. 3 Admission requirements Bachelor Degree in Health related disciplines. 4 Course contents The course is a central part of the Master s programme, and introduces the students to EPR design, implementation and use The course will cover the following topics: Challenges of designing, implementing and using and EPR Implementation strategies Socio-technical integration Standardisation of technology, routines and practices Classification systems Collaboration between different practices Innovations related to EPRs Infrastructural challenges in developing countries 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Following the course, the students should be able to: Identify challenges of designing, implementing and using and EPR Critically assess various implementation strategies Understand the relevance of socio-technical integration Apply working strategies for standardisation of technology, routines and practices Establish strategies for using classification systems Design collaboration methods between different practices Understand the crucial elements in technical innovations related to EPRs Identify and deal with infrastructural challenges in developing countries 6 Teaching and Coursework The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work, and practical exercises. In

18 addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Fronter. 7 Exam 2 weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 8 Continuation Exam Not available. 9 Course requirements The students are required to hand in two homework assignments. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Course overlap TLM-8040 Advanced theoretical perspectives on Electronic Health Records and e-health services 10 stp 13 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

19 TLM-3060 (Mandatory) Patients and the public as users of Net health services 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical and practical. This course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirements to the Master Programme are satisfied. 3 Admission requirements Bachelor Degree in Health related disciplines. 4 Course contents The course is a central part of the Master s programme, and it covers a central field within e-health as well as methodological issues important for the Master thesis. The course will cover the following topics: Definitions of Net health services. The use of Net health services: Norway, EU and the US. Objectives related to the use of Net health services. Challenges related to the use of Net health services. Studies of outcomes of Net health services. Writing a research protocol. Surveys: What are they and what are they good for? Questionnaire design. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Following the course, the students should be able to: Define Net health services. Describe the use of Net health services in Europe and the US. Discuss objectives and challenges related to the use of Net health services. Critically appraise scientific work on telemedicine and e-health, including studies on outcomes. Compose a research protocol. Describe what a survey is and how surveys can be used. Design a questionnaire.

20 6 Teaching and Coursework The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work, and practical exercises and demonstrations of telemedical applications. In addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Fronter. 7 Exam 2 weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 8 Continuation Exam Not available. 9 Coursework requirements The students are required to hand in two home-work assignments. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

21 TLM-3070 (Mandatory) Quantitative Research Methods and Epidemiology 1 Number of credits 5 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical and practical. This course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirements to the Master Programme are satisfied. 3 Admission requirements Bachelor Degree in Health related disciplines. 4 Course contents The methods taught in this course represent the analytical core of clinical and epidemiological studies. The course will cover the following topics: Scientific basics of quantitative research methodology. Evidence, search for scientific literature, search tools. Descriptive and analytical statistics, hypothesis testing. Types of clinical and epidemiological studies. Good clinical practice, study protocols. Data handling, practical work with statistics software. Work with selected good examples of published clinical and epidemiological trials. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes The course will give the student knowledge in clinical and epidemiological research methodology. After the course, the students should be able to: elaborate the state of the art regarding a specific clinical or epidemiological problem; relate the own work appropriately to the state of the art, knowing how to search and build on relevant literature (in principal); formulate a research question, define outcome variables, estimate expected effects, perform a power analysis,

22 formulate a hypothesis; design a complete study protocol in order to provide valid answers to the research question, including: rationale, research hypotheses, study type, subject recruitment, inclusion/exclusion criteria, data acquisition, quality management, ethical considerations, etc.; practically perform analyses in R statistics or SPSS, e.g.: take example data from the lecture and redo computations for exercise (parameters, sensitivity, specificity, PPV, PNV, power analyses; hypothesis testing, etc.); download WHO health data, clean them in a spreadsheet program (e.g. Excel), and use them as data source to investigate e.g. associations between selected indicators. 6 Teaching and Coursework The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work, and practical exercises. In addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Fronter. 7 Exam 2 weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 8 Continuation Exam Not available. 9 Coursework requirements The course requires the use of R statistics or SPSS, JabRef or another literature management software, Excel or another spreadsheet program. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

23 TLM-3080 (Mandatory) Qualitative research methods in Informatics 1 Number of credits 5 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical and practical. This course can be taken as a singular course as long as the admission requirements to the Master Programme are satisfied. 3 Admission requirements Bachelor Degree in Health related disciplines. 4 Course contents The course is a central part of the Master s programme, and introduces the students to telemedicine. The course will cover the following topics: Insight into conducting qualitative research on telemedicine. Insight into analysing and producing quality research reports based on collected field data. Conducting interviews and participant observations. Strengths and weaknesses of qualitative case studies in telemedicine. The role of the researcher in qualitative research. Concepts and theoretical approaches used in qualitative methods. Conducting case studies in challenging contexts. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Following the course, the students should be able to: Conduct qualitative research on telemedicine. Analyse and produce quality research reports based on collected field data. Be able to conduct interviews and participant observations. Assess strengths and weaknesses of qualitative case studies in telemedicine. Be able to critically assess the role of the researcher in qualitative research. Evaluate different concepts and theoretical approaches used in qualitative methods. Conduct case studies in challenging

24 contexts. 6 Teaching and Coursework The course consists of a combination of lectures, discussions, home work, and practical exercises. In addition to physical attendance of lectures and seminars, part of the course is net-based, requiring active participation of students via Fronter. All assignments are submitted electronically in Fronter. 7 Exam 2 weeks' take-home examination based on a specific assignment. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 8 Continuation Exam Not available. 9 Coursework requirements The students are required to hand in two homework assignments. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

25 TLM-3902 (Mandatory) Master's Thesis in Telemedicine and E- health (Health) 1 Number of credits 60 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course Theoretical. 3 Admission requirements For students who have completed all the obligatory courses required for the Master s programme in Telemedicine and E-health (Health). 4 Course contents The subject content will depend on the thesis chosen. The thesis must be approved by the Faculty based on an application in the form of a supervision contract with a project description attached. The course will cover the following topics: Telemedical applications. Potential gains, challenges and barriers related to the implementation of telemedicine and e-health in clinical practice through scientific-founded empirical work. Appraisement of scientific work on telemedicine and e-health. Carrying through and write up a study relating to a topic within the field of telemedicine and e-health. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Following the course, the students should be able to: Share first-hand experience regarding some telemedical applications. Identify potential gains, challenges and barriers related to the implementation of telemedicine and e-health in clinical practice through scientific-founded empirical work. Critically appraise scientific work on telemedicine and e-health. Design, carry through and write up a study relating to a topic within the field of telemedicine and e-health. 6 Teaching and Coursework Individual guidance and supervision according to agreement. 7 Assessment and Exam Hand-in of individual assignment according to the deadline set by the Faculty of Health Sciences. The

26 8 Continuation Exam Not available. assignment is to be written in English. An examination committee will be set up that consists of one external examiner and one internal examiner. The supervisor cannot be the internal examiner. Norwegian grading system: A-E, with F as fail. 9 Coursework requirements Normally the candidate should have finished all the obligatory courses and have passed all the course exams. Individual applications need to be submitted and evaluated in case of exceptions. 10 Internship Not applicable. 11 Language of Instruction and English Examination 12 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Clinical Medicine

27 HEL-3030 (Mandatory) International and Environmental Health 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course This course is open to course students as well as programme students. 3 Admission requirements Admission criteria: The same as for the Master's programme in Public Health. See the programme page. 4 Course contents The course will require presence on campus in two periods, one in January and one in March. See time table. On-campus activities are to include presentations, group discussions, overview lectures and planning of the interim period, group activities and cooperation with supervisors. The course will provide an overview of environmental health / medicine (EH) and international health (IH) and explores the interrelationships between health, poverty, environment and development; demonstrates the need for interdisciplinary co-operation; promotes student-centred, self-directed learning and critical appraisal; and optimizes the use of the internet to achieve the stated learning objectives. We want to stimulate all health workers in all health related disciplines to get a better understanding of their role in the global health setting. The students will benefit from this wherever in the world they have their daily work. Basic global health and environmental medicine, including climate change, with focus on circumpolar, subtropical, as well as tropical issues. The module consists of four sub-units, and the specific learning objectives are related to global health and environment-andhealth case scenarios. The course is based on extensive use of internet contact between students and supervisors through Fronter. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes The candidate should have an understanding of health problems in the world and of the most important factors that create disease and health inequalities (including services) among peoples. Poverty is a major determinant of health, but also the physical (e.g., temperature, precipitation, air and water supply, pollution) and biological

28 environment (e.g., the food supply and its safety, origin and transmission of some diseases) are of importance. A major goal is to explore these aspects through international health and environmental health perspectives. The course will also explore how the health inequalities might be reversed or stopped and what national/international organizations are providing resources and/or services to do so. Learning goals: - Knowledge and understanding The aim of the module is to identify the major issues in International and Environmental Health (IH and EH), review the determinants of health, and focus on learning resources and information retrieval skills. Specific themes: Nature of emergencies: In pinciple related to rapid health assessments and emergency responses using cases and scenarios for the development of skills and understanding. Infectious disease: The primary focus is on the most important infectious diseases in a global perspective; HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; malaria; pandemics; vaccination; the international system for identifying, notifying alerting and containing important infectious threats. Poverty and hunger: To explore the relationship between poverty, hunger, food and drinking water safety and human health, with a special focus of the projected impact of global warming on these. - Skills and competences The student should be able to explore and assess different data sources and evaluate the accuracy and quality of the different information sources. - General Proficiency The student should be able to discuss the different aspects of IH and EH with independent and mature understanding and evaluation of the problems focused in the teaching. Reproduction of

29 knowledge is just a part of this. 6 Teaching and Coursework The course has a variety of teaching and supervising methods; plenary, lectures, group processes, internet methods etc. (Fronter). The lectures are given during two plenaries, one 3 days and one lasting 4 days. Attendance to lectures and seminars is mandatory. 7 Assessment and Exam Obligatory assignment: The students must hand in three obligatory assignments on a given topic. Two of the assignments will be handed out between first and second student gathering (plenaries), the third after the second student-gathering (plenary). Each student may receive a short evaluation on the first and second assignment. 10 Internship Not applicable. The assignments will be graded as approved or not approved. All three assignments must be approved in order to take the final exam. The students can deliver assignments in groups or separate. There will be at least 8 days between the presentations of the assignment to deadline for handing in the assignment. The answers should be maximum 2000 words, not including references. Assignments to be handed in on Fronter. Exam: The final grade is based on a individual home exam on a given topic. The exam should be be approximately 6000 words excluding references. Obligatory assignments must be approved before taking the final exam. The final exam is individual. Details are given in the full course description, available on the web. Grading scale: A-E equals passed, F equals failed. For failed students a re-sit examination will be arranged for this course. Students with valid absence from exam will be offered a re-scheduled examination. 11 Language of Instruction and Examination Language of Instruction is English. The assignments and exam may be answered in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

30 12 Course overlap HEL-3035 International Health 5 stp 13 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Health Sciences/Department of Community Medicine

31 8. Course descriptions for the Technology field of study 8 INF-3200 (Mandatory) Distributed Systems Fundamentals 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course The course can be taken as a singular master'slevel course. 3 Admission Requirements Admission requirements: Higher Education Entrance Requirement + Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or similar education. The Bachelor degree must contain a specialization in Computer Science worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS credits. 4 Course contents Fundamental mechanisms and structuring principles for distributed systems are covered. Focus is in issues like, for instance, consistency, naming, interaction, fault-tolerance, security, resource control, distributed file systems, and distributed document-based systems (WWW). 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Knowledge: Knowledge of the main topics of distributed systems at an introductory level. Knowledge of the central challenges of distributed systems, their behavior, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages. Knowledge of the primary ideas, architectures, designs, and implementations of distributed systems Knowledge of some select cases of distributed systems The best way to learn how to build distributed systems is by practice, and so an important part of the course is a substantial distributed system design and implementation project. Skills: Skills in systems-level programming. How to build a working prototype of a non-trivial distributed system including its architecture, design, and implementation. Skills in the languages, frameworks, and tools used to build a prototype distributed system. Skills to analyze real distributed systems, and 8 Updated course descriptions can be found in the Course Catalogue ( Emnekatalog ) of UiT.

32 identify central characteristics including performance scaling. Skills in presenting a system, giving a demonstration of it, and identify lessons learned. General competence: Competence in selecting a suitable set of programming languages, frameworks, and tools for a given problem domain. Competence in asking relevant questions about computer based systems. 6 Teaching and Coursework Lectures: 30 hours, Colloquium: 30 hours, Laboratory: 30 hours. The course is given every autumn semester. 7 Assessment and Exam Oral exam counting 100%. Approved assignments give access to the final oral exam. Course requirements: The coursework includes up to 3 written programming assignments graded "Approved" / "Not approved". Oral presentation of the assignments and demonstration of a working system can be claimed. Grading scale: Letter grades A-F. Re-sit examination: It will not be given a re-sit exam teaching free semester for this course, unless a postponed exam already is arranged (conditional re-sit exam). To get access to the exam in the teaching free semester the student must have passed the course requirements. Postponed examination: Given early in teaching free semester. It will be arranged an oral exam counting 100%. To get access to the exam in the teaching free semester the student must have passed the course requirements. Ordinary examination in the teaching free semester (early exam): It will not be given a new ordinary examination in the teaching free semester for this course. 8 Language of Instruction and Examination The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English, but may be answered either in English or a Scandinavian language. 9 Course overlap D-340 Distributed computations theory and practice 8 stp 10 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Science and Technology/ Department of Computer Sciences

33 INF-3792 (Mandatory) Medical informatics 1 Number of credits 10 ECTS credits 2 Type of Course The course can be taken as a singular master's-level course. 3 Admission Requirements Admission requirements: Higher Education Entrance Requirement + Bachelor's degree in Computer Science / Health-related professional studies, or similar education. The Bachelor degree must contain a specialization in Computer Science / Health-related courses worth the equivalent of not less than 80 ECTS credits. 4 Course contents The course presents the core concepts and methods of Medical Informatics (MI). Areas covered include: medical computations, biomedical decision-making, standards in medical informatics, ICT in healthcare, computer architecture for health and biomedical systems, system engineering in medical informatics, natural language systems in healthcare, medical imaging, patient-centered health IT systems, evaluation criteria, electronic health records, telemedicine, clinical decision support systems, bioinformatics, the use of medical informatics in teaching, ethics in medical informatics, modern applications and trends and future applications in medical informatics. 5 Objectives/Learning Outcomes Upon the successful completion of the course, the student should be able to: Identify core areas (concepts) of medical informatics, including decision support systems, medical imaging and laboratory systems. Understand how medical informatics is included in medical decision-making. Evaluate a medical informatics system based on various criteria such as safety, decision support systems and classification systems. Understand the opportunities and limitations of medical informatics. Describe current systems and how important historical uses have been important for the evolution of existing systems. Analyze current scientific and research needs related to medical informatics. Students must experimental activity obtained: Experience with various health IT systems

34 6 Teaching and Coursework Lectures: 40 hours, Colloquium: 10 hours. The course is given every autumn semester. 7 Assessment and Exam Work requirements: Up to 5 mandatory exercises / laboratory reports. Oral presentation of the mandatory exercises can be claimed. Presentations and mandatory exercises / laboratory reports graded "Approved" / "Not approved". The exam includes a written examination of four hours duration, counts 100%. The work requirement must be passed in order to access the exam. Grading scale: Letter grades A-F. 8 Language of Instruction and Examination Re-sit examination: It will not be given a re-sit exam in the teaching free semester for this course, unless a postponed exam already is arranged (conditional re-sit exam). To get access to the exam in the teaching free semester the student must have passed the course requirements. Postponed examination: Given early in teaching free semester. It will be arranged a 4 hour written exam counting 100%. To get access to the exam in the teaching free semester the student must have passed the course requirements. Ordinary examination in the teaching free semester (early exam): It will not be given a new ordinary examination in the teaching free semester for this course. For further details see: - Utfyllende bestemmelser for eksamener ved Fakultet for naturvitenskap og teknologi (only in Norwegian) - Regulations for examinations at the UiT The language of instruction is English and all of the syllabus material is in English. Examination questions will be given in English and must be answered in English. 9 Academic responsibility The Faculty of Science and Technology/Department of Computer Sciences